Evening star., 1900-12-03

telegraphy and forecasts for ocean-gotng
vessels: continuing inquiry a. to animal dis
ease; looking into the extent and charac-
ter Of food adulteration; outlining plans for
the care, preservation and intelligent har-
vesting OF our woodlands: studying soils
that producers may cultivate with better
knowledge Of conditions. and helping to
ciothe desert places with grasses suitable
to our arid regions. Our island possessions
are being considered that their peoples may
be helped to produce the tropical products
now so extensively brought into the United
States. Inquiry into methods of improving
our roads has been active during the year:
help has been given to many localities. and
scientific investigation of material in the
States and Territories has been inaugurated.
Irrigation problems in our semi-arid regions
are receiving careful and increased constd-
Grafton.
An extensive exhibit at Paris Of the pro-
ducts Of agriculture has made the peoples
of many countries more familiar with the
varied products Of our fields and their COM
parative excellence.
The collection Of statistics regarding our
crops Is being improved and sources cf in
formation are being enlarged, to the end
that producers may have the earliest ad-
vices regarding crop conditions. There has
never been time when those for whom it
was established haveo shown more appre-
clation of the services Of the department.
In my Annual Message of December 8,
1898. called attentions to: the necessity for
some amendment of the alien contract law.
There still remain important features of
the rightful application of the eight-hour
law for the benefit Of labor and Of the
principle Of arbitration, and I again COM
mend these subjects to the careful attention
OF the Congress.
That there may be secured the best SER
vice possible in the Philippines. I have is
sued, under date of November 30, 1900, the
following order:
1.-The United States Civil Service Commis-
sion is directed to render such assistance as
may be practicable to the Civil Service
Beard. created under the act of the United
States Philippine Commission. for the es-
tablshment and maintenance of an honest
and efficient civil service in the Philippine
Islands, and for that purpose to conduct ex-
aminations for the civil service of the Phil
ippine Islands, upon the request of the Civil
Service Board of said islands, under such
regulations as may be agreed upon by the
said Board and the said United States Civil
Service Commission"
The Civil Service Commission is greatly
embarrassed in its work for want of an
adequate permanent force for clerical and
other assistance Its needs are fully set
forth in its report. I invite attention to
the report. and especially urge upon the
Congress that this important bureau of the
public service, which passes upon the quail
fications and character of so large a num-
Der Of the officers and employees. of the
Government should be supported by all
needed appropriations to secure prompt
ness and efficiency. .-..-
l am very much impressed with the state
ment made by the heads of all the Depart
ments OF the urgent necessity of a hall of
public records. In every departmental
building in Washington, so far as am in
formed the space for official records Is not
only exhs usted, but the walls Of rooms are
lined with shelves, the middle floor space Of
many rooms Is filled with file cases. and
garrets and Easements, which were never
intended and are untitled for their accom-
mediation, are crowded with them. Aside
from the inconvenience there is great
danger, not only from fire, but from the
weight of these records upon timbers not
intended for their support. There should
be a separate building especially designed
for the purpose of receiving and preserv-
ing the annually accommodating archives OF
the several Executive Departments. Such
a hall need not be a costly structure, but
should be so arranged to admit Of en-
largement from time to time. l urgently
recommend that the Congress take early
action in this matter.
l transmit to the Congress a resolution
adopted at a recent meeting of the Ameri-
can Bar Association concerning the pro-
posed celebration of John Marshall Day,
February 4, 1901. Fitting exercises have
been arranged. and 1t is earnestly desired
by the committee that the Congress may
participate in this movement to honor the
memory of the great jurst.
The transfer of the Government to this
city is a fact Of great HISTORICAL interest.
Among the people there is feeling OF
genuine pride in the Capital of the Repub-
lic
1t is a matter of interest in this connec-
ton that in 1900 the population Of the Dis
trict of Columbia was 14.093; to-day it is
27S71S The population Of the city of
Washington was then 3,2lO; to-day it is
21S, 1876.
The Congress having provided for IAN ap-
propriate national celebration of the Cen
tennial Anniversary Of the Establishment
of the Seat of Government in the District
of Columbia the committees authorized
by it have prepared a programme for the
18th of December, 1900, which date has
been selected as the anniversary day Deep
interest has been shown in the arrange
ments for the celebration by the members
Of the committees of the Senate and House
Of Representatives. the committee of Gov
ernors appointed by the President, and the
committees appointed by the citizens and
inhabitants Of the District of Columbia gen.
orally The. programme, in addition to
reception and other exercises at the i1xecu-
tive Mansion, provides commemorative ex-
ercises to be held jointly by the Senate and
House Of Representatives in the Hall of
the House of Representatives. and a
ception in the evening at the Corcoran Gal
lery of Art in honor Of the Governors of
the States and Territories.
In our great prosperity we must guard
against the danger It invites of xtrava-
gance in Government expenditures ard ap-
propriations; and the chosen representa-
tives of the people will. I doubt not, fur
nish an example in the legislation of that
wise economy which in season Of plenty