We proudly claim to be the champions of democracy.

No man who loves America, no man who really cares for her fame and honor and character, or who is truly loyal to her institutions, can justify mob action while the courts of justice are open and the governments of the States and the nation…

I can never accept any man as a champion of liberty either for our selves or for the world who does not reverence and obey the laws of our own beloved land, whose laws we ourselves have made.

During such breakdowns they cease operation for hours and for even days together.

It has been found that late closings of the mail can be accomplished and closer connections assured by this means.

These developments have made the tubes practically obsolete, quite unnecessary, and, in fact, a hindrance to the efficient operation of the postal service.

I am taking the liberty of returning H.R. 7237, making appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919, and for other purposes, without my signature.

I am convinced there is no moral or legal obligation resting on the, Government to continue the use of these tubes by rental.

This is an unfounded assumption, because practically all this mail could be handled at less cost and more expeditiously by other means.

The advantage of the use is largely theoretical.

These reasons seeming to me conclusive and compelling, I have not felt the liberty to acquiesce in this feature of the bill, which I herewith return.

The only question is, When shall we supply it—now or later, after the demands shall have become reproaches that we were so dull and so slow?

We must act now, at whatever sacrifice to ourselves.

We are about to set them free; we must not leave them without the tools of action when they are free.

I hereby establish the War Industries Board as a separate administrative agency to act for me and under my direction.

The functions, duties and powers of the War Industries Board, as outlined in my letter of March 4, 1918, to Bernard M. Baruch, Esquire, its Chairman, shall be and hereby are continued in full force and effect.

Politics is adjourned.

We have either done our duty or we have not.