IMMIGRATION

American institutions rest solely on good citizenship.  They were created by people who had a background of self-government.  New arrivals should be limited to our capacity to absorb them into the ranks of good citizenship.  America must be kept American.  For this purpose, it is necessary to continue a policy of restricted immigration.  It would be well to make such immigration of a selective nature with some inspection at the source, and based either on a prior census or upon the record of naturalization.  Either method would insure the admission of those with the largest capacity and best intention of becoming citizens.  I am convinced that our present economic and social conditions warrant a limitation of those to be admitted.  We should find additional safety in a law requiring the immediate registration of all aliens.  Those who do not want to be partakers of the American spirit ought not to settle in America.

VETERANS

No more important duty falls on the Government of the United States than the adequate care of its veterans.  Those suffering disabilities incurred in the service must have sufficient hospital relief and compensation.  Their dependents must be supported.  Rehabilitation and vocational training must be completed.  All of this service must be clean, must be prompt and effective, and it must be administered in a spirit of the broadest and deepest human sympathy.  If investigation reveals any present defects of administration or need Of legislation, orders will be given for the immediate correction of administration, and recommendations for legislation should be given the highest preference.

At present there are 9,500 vacant beds in Government hospitals, I recommend that all hospitals be authorized at once to receive and care for, without hospital pay, the veterans of all wars needing such care, whenever there are vacant beds, and that immediate steps be taken to enlarge and build new hospitals to serve all such cases.

The American Legion will present to the Congress a legislative program too extensive for detailed discussion here.  It is a carefully matured plan.  While some of it I do not favor, with much of it I am in hearty accord, and I recommend that a most painstaking effort be made to provide remedies for any defects in the administration of the present laws which their experience has revealed.  The attitude of the Government toward these proposals should be one of generosity.  But I do not favor the granting of a bonus.

COAL

The cost of coal has become unbearably high.  It places a great burden on our industrial and domestic life.  The public welfare requires a reduction in the price of fuel.  With the enormous deposits in existence, failure of supply ought not to be tolerated.  Those responsible for the conditions in this industry should undertake its reform and free it from any charge of profiteering.