Evening star., 1898-12-05

Eastern and Western Hsu1tspheres for
seeds and plants that may be useful to
the United States and with the further
view of opening up markets for our surplus
products. The Forestry Division of the
Department is giving special attention to
the treeless regions of our country and is
introducing species specially adapted to
semiarid regions. Forest fires which Sc
riousy interfere with production, especially
in irrigated regions, are being studied that
losses from this cause may be avoided. The
Department is inauiring into the use and
abuse of water in many States of the West
and collating information regarding the
laws of the States, the decisions of the
courts, and the customs of the people in
this regard, so that uniformity may be Sc
cured. Experiment stations are becoming
more effective every year. The annual ap-
preparation of $4,000 by Congress is sup
plemented by $4,000 from the States Ma
tion-wide experiments have been conducted
to ascertain the suitableness as to soil and
climate and States for growing sugar bcets.
The number of sugar factories has been
doubled in the past two years and the abil-
ity of the United States to produce it's own
sugar from this source has been clearly
demonstrated.
lie weather oQfedu forecast ana ODSer-
walton stations have been extended around
the Caribbean Sea, to give early warning of
the approach of hurricanes from the south
seas to our fleets and merchant marine
Capital Centennial.
In the year 1900 win occur the centennial
anniversary of the founding of the city of
Washington for the permanent Capital Of
the Government of the United States by
authority of an act of Congress approved
July 16. 1870. In May, 1900 the archives
and general offices of the Federal Govern
ment were removed to this place On the
18th Of November, 1SOO the National Cor
gress met here for the first time, and as
sumed exclusive control of the Federal
District and City This interesting eveEt
assumes all the more significance when we
recall the circumstances attending the
choosing Of the SITE the naming of the
Capital in honor of the Father OF his Coun-
try. and the interest taken by him in the
adoption of plans for it's future develop
ment on a magnificent scale.
These original plans have been wrought
out with constant progress and a signal
success even beyond anything their trainers
could have foreseen. The people of the
country are justly proud of the distinctive
beauty and government of the Capital, and
of the rare instruments of science and
education which here find their natural
home.
A movement lately inaugurated by the
citizens to have the anniversary celebrated
with fitting ceremonies, including perhaps
the establishment of a handsome perma-
nent memorial to mark so historical an oc-
casion. and to give it more legal recogni-
tion has met with general favor on the
part of the public.
1 recommend to the Congress the grant
ing of an appropriation for this purpose
and the appointment of a committee from
it's respective bodies. 1t might also be adj
visable to authorize the President to aD
point a committee from the country at
large, which, acting with the Congressional
and District of Columbia committees, can
complete the plans for an appropriate
national celebration.
The alien contract law is shown by ex-
perience to need some amendment; meas
ure providing better protection for seamen
is proposed; the rightful application of the
eght-hour law for the benefit of labor and
of the principle Of arbitration are sug
gested for consideration; and 1 commend
these subjects to the careful attention of
the Congress.
The several departmental reports will be
laid before you. They give In great detail
the conduct of the affairs of the Govern
ment during the past year and discuss
many questions upon which the Congress
may feel called upon to act.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
December 5. 1898.