rapidly disappear.  In the meantime, it does much evil.  It seems to me that in dealing with this situation Congress should not be impatient or drastic but should seek rather to remove the causes.  It should endeavor to bring our country back speedily to a peace basis, with ameliorated living conditions under the minimum of restrictions upon personal liberty that is consistent with our reconstruction problems.  And it should arm the Federal Government with power to deal in its criminal courts with those persons who by violent methods would abrogate our time-tested institutions.  With the free expression of opinion and with the advocacy of orderly political change, however fundamental, there must be no interference, but towards passion and malevolence tending to incite crime and insurrection under guise of political evolution there should be no leniency.  Legislation to this end has been recommended by the Attorney General and should be enacted.  In this direct connection, I would call your attention to my recommendations on August 8th, pointing out legislative measures which would be effective in controlling and bringing down the present cost of living, which contributes so largely to this unrest.  On only one of these recommendations has the Congress acted.  If the Government’s campaign is to be effective, it is necessary that the other steps suggested should be acted on at once.

I renew and strongly urge the necessity of the extension of the present Food Control Act as to the period of time in which it shall remain in operation.  The Attorney General has submitted a bill providing for an extension of this Act for a period of six months.  As it now stands, it is limited in operation to the period of the war and becomes inoperative upon the formal proclamation of peace.  It is imperative that it should be extended at once.  The Department of justice has built up extensive machinery for the purpose of enforcing its provisions; all of which must be abandoned upon the conclusion of peace unless the provisions of this Act are extended.

During this period the Congress will have an opportunity to make similar permanent provisions and regulations with regard to all goods destined for interstate commerce and to exclude them from interstate shipment, if the requirements of the law are not compiled with.  Some such regulation is imperatively necessary.  The abuses that have grown up in the manipulation of prices by the withholding of foodstuffs and other necessaries of life cannot otherwise be effectively prevented.  There can be no doubt of either the necessity of the legitimacy of such measures.

As I pointed out in my last message, publicity can accomplish a great deal in this campaign.  The aims of the Government must be clearly brought to the attention of the consuming public, civic organizations and state officials, who are in a position to lend their assistance to our efforts.  You have made available funds with which to carry on this campaign, but there is no provision in the law authorizing their expenditure for the purpose of making the public fully informed about the efforts of the Government.  Specific recommendation has been made by the Attorney General in this regard.  I would strongly urge upon you its immediate adoption, as it constitutes one of the preliminary steps to this campaign.