National Affairs: Test has Come

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The last message of Calvin Coolidge to the U. S. Congress proved to be a brief and unmomentous document. It began, of course, on Peace and Prosperity. It announced that, thanks to prudent budget pruning, the Treasury might have a surplus of 37 millions this year instead of the 94-million deficit rumored before the election. Let Congress beware of the "unthinkable disgrace" of unbalancing the budget between now and June 30, it said.

The message touched conventionally on foreign relations, taking the Senate's ratification of the Kellogg treaty for granted. Again the cruiser bill was urged ("I wish to repeat again for the benefit of the timid and the suspicious that this country is neither militaristic nor imperialistic"). Farm relief was urged—a revolving loan fund to help market surpluses; more research work, especially by the States. The Coolidge desires to see more railroad mergers and to get the government entirely out of the shipping business were re-expressed. There were flat pronouncements for building the Boulder Dam and against the government's handling the electric by-product "as private enterprise can very well fill this field." Again let the Muscle Shoals power and nitrate plants be leased, urged the President.

Prohibition was reserved for a closing paragraph. President Coolidge called upon all states and "all our inhabitants" to help federal enforcement.

Finally there was a Conclusion—a sort of preliminary farewell to the U.S. people from Calvin Coolidge (who will make at least one more Last Speech at the Hoover inauguration). Said he of peace and prosperity: ". . . Having reached this position, we should not fail to comprehend that it can be easily lost. It needs more effort for its support than the less exalted places of the world. . . . Peace and prosperity are not finalities; they are only methods. It is too easy under their influence for a nation to become selfish and degenerate. This test has come to the United States. .