in relief and in assistance, besides voting the stupendous sum of twenty million dollars, not as compensation, but as recognition of the gratitude due those who had represented us in the great war.  The educational opportunities of the youth of the State have been improved.  All of these acts of great importance, which are of course only representative of the character of current legislation, had the executive approval.  There has been not only a sympathetic but a very practical attitude toward the ideal expressed in my inaugural address, that there is a right to be well born, well reared, well educated, well employed, and well paid.  We shall not be shaken in the mature determination to promote these policies.  The ancient faith of Massachusetts in the worth of her citizens, the cause of great solicitude for the welfare of each individual, will remain undiminished.

The many uncertainties in transportation which are State, Nation, and world wide, sent our street railway problems to an expert commission which will report to a special session of the General Court.  It is recognized that the rate of fare necessary to pay for the service rendered has in some instances become prohibitive.  Some roads and portions of roads have been closed down.  There must be relief.  But such relief must be in accord with sound economic principles.  What the public has the public must pay for.  From this there is no escape.  Under private, or public, ownership or operation this rule will be the same.  We must face the facts and restore this necessary service to the people in such a form that they can meet its costs.  In meeting this issue, not hysterically, not with demagogy, but calmly, with candor, applying an adequate remedy to ascertained facts, Massachusetts, as usual, will lead all the other States of the Nation.

That agitation and unrest which has been characteristic of the whole world since the close of the war has had some manifestations here.  There is a natural desire in every human mind to seek better conditions.  Such a desire is altogether praiseworthy.  There must, however, be discrimination in the methods employed.  Wholesale criticism of everybody and everything does not necessarily exhibit statesmanlike qualities, and may not be true.  Not all those who are working to better the condition of the people are Bolsheviki or enemies of society.  Not all those who are attempting to conduct a successful business are profiteers.  But unreasonable criticism and agitation for unreasonable remedies will avail nothing.  We, in common with the whole world, are suffering from a shortage of materials.  There is but one remedy for this, increased production.  We need to use sparingly what we have and make more.  No progress will be made by shouting Bolsheviki and profiteers.  What we need is thrift and industry.  Let everybody keep at work.  Profitable employment is the death blow to Bolshevism and abundant production is disaster to the profiteer.  Our salvation lies in putting forth greater effort, in manfully assuming our own burdens, rather than in entertaining the pleasing delusion that they can be shifted to some other shoulders.  Those who attempt to lead people on in this expectation only add to their burdens and their dangers.