The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-06

plus Of sl72,314G5.
NEW BUILDING NECESSARY.
I deem it my duty to call to the attention
of Congress the condition of the present
building occupied by the Department of
Justice. The business of that department
has increased very considerably since 1t
was established in It's present quarters.
The building now occupied by it is neither
large enough nor of suitable arrangement
for the proper accommodation Of the busi-
ness of the department. The supervising
architect has pronounced it unsafe and UNI
suited to the purpose to which it is put.
The attorney general, in his report, states
that the library of the department is on the
fourth floor, and that all the space allotted
to 1t is so crowded with books as TO dan
gerously overload the structure. The first
floor is occupied by the Court of Claims:
The building Is OF an old and dilapldated
appearance unsuited to the dignity which
should attach to this important Depart
ment.
A proper regard for the safety, comfort
and convenience of the officers and en-
ployes would justify the expenditure of
liberal sum of money in the erection or
new building of commodious proportions
and handsome appearance upon the very
advantageous site already secured Tor that
purpose, including the ground occupied by
the present structure and adJolnlng Vacant
to that, comprising in all frontage OF 2O1
feet in Pennsylvania avenue and depth OF
1856 feet.
the Inadequate accommodations provided
for the Supreme Court in the Capltol ana
suggest the wisdom of making provision Tor
the erection of a separate building for the
court and its officers and library upon avail
able ground near the Capitol.
The Department of Agriculture has Deen
active in the past year. Explorers nave
been sent to many of the countries or the
eastern and western hemispheres for seeds
and plants that may be useful to the United
States, and with the further view OF open
ing up markets for our surplus prooucIs
The forestry division of the department IS
giving special attention to the treeless re-
gions OF our country and is introducing
species specially adapted to semi-arld re-
gions. Forest fires which seriously inter-
fere with production, especially in irrigated
regions, are being studied that losses from
this cause may be avoided. The department
is inQuring into the use and abuse or water
in many States of the West and colIatlng
information regarding the laws or the
States the decisions OF the courts ana Lne
customs of the people in this regard SO tnat
uniformity may be secured. Experiment
stations are becoming more effective every
year -. - =,
Congress is supplemented by $4O0,OO0 from
the States. Nationwide experiments nave
been conducted to ascertain the suitable
ness as to soil and climate and States FOR
growing sugar beets. The number OF sugar
factories has been doubled in the past Two
years, and the ability OF the Onlteu states
to produce it's own sugar from this source
has been clearly demonstrated.
The Weather Bureau forecast ana ooseI 1
the Caribbean sea to give early warning OF
the approach of hurricanes from the south
seas to our fleets and merchant marine.
YELLOW FEVER.
In my last annual message recommended
that the Congress autL orize the appointment
of commission for the purpose of making
systematic Investigations with reference to
the cause and prevention of yellow fever.
This matter has acquired an increased i'm
of4 ha tor
ton of the Island of Cuba and the CONNER
cial intercourse between this island and the
United States, which we have every reason
to expect. The sanitary problems connected
with our new relations with the Island Of
Cuba and the acquisition of Porto Rico are
no less important than those relating 10
finance, commerce and administration. 1t 1S
my earnest desire that these problems may
be considered by competent experts and that
everything may be done which the most re-
cent advances in sanitary science can Of1er
for the protection of the health or our SOL
diers in those islands and of our citizens,
who are exposed to the dangers OF lnfec-
ton from the Importation OF yellow 1eVer
there. therefore renew my recommendation
that the authority of the Congress may be
given and suitable appropriation maze TO
provide for a commission of experts to be
appointed for the purpose indicated.
In the year 1900 will occur the centennial
anniversary of the founding OF the city or
Washington for the permanent capltal or
the government of the United States, by
authority of an act of the Congress- approved
July 16, 1890. In May, 1850, the archives and
general offices of the federal government
were removed to this place. On the 18th of
November, 1900, the rational Congress met
here for the first time and assumed exclu-
sive control of the federal district and city.
This interesting event assumes all the more
stances attending the choosing of the site,
the naming of the capital in honor or the
Father Of his Country ana the Inagrest f o1A ifa
future development 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 edu-
cation which here find their natural home;
A movement lately lnaugurateu q, BY 1y the tn9
with fitting ceremonies, including, perhaps,
the establishment of handsome permanent
memorial to mark so historical an occaslon'
and to give it more than local recognition,
has met with general favor on the part OF
the public. IL.
of an appropriation for this purpose and the
appointment of a committee from It's re-
spective bodies. 1t might also De aayisaoie
to authorize the President to appoint a
committee from the country at large, WnIcn,
acting with the congressional ana DlStrlct
of Columbia committees, can compete Ine
plans for an appropriate national celebra-
ton. -, -
The alien contract law is, shown by ex-
nerience to need some amendment; a meas
ilra proyiding better protection FOR seamen
is nTonosed: the rightful application of the
eightoRour law for the benefit of labor, and
of the principle of arbitration, are suggested
for consideration, and commend these SUP
iects to the careful attention OF the Con-
gress. . I'll, -
The several departmental reports VIII De
laid before you. They give in great detail
the conduct Of the affairs of the government
during the past year, and discuss many
question upon which the Congress may DC
called upon to act. $1,000 -,---
WILLIAM M'KINLEY,
Executive Mansion, Dec. s.