Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Roosevelt Says Trusts Should
Have Federal Regulation.
Specific Recommendation on Immi-
grafton, Merchant Marine, Navy,
Army, Forestry, Irrigation, Civil Ser
vice and Other Topics.

vice and Other Topics.
President Roosevelt's maiden message.
sent to Congress Tuesday, opens with an
earnest reference to the nations recent
bereavement. manly euology of the
late President is followed by a logical
argument as to the futilty of such a
crime and its menace to free institutions.
and by recommendations that Anarchist
immigrants be excluded, that Federal
courts be given jurisdiction over crimes
against the presidential line and that
international measures against anarchy
De formulated. Proceeding, the President
says: Business confidence reigns and
prosperity abounds. Industrial develop
ments, however, brings problems. Huge
fortunes, not due to tariff but to natural
causes, arouse antagonism, much of
unwarranted. Sober judgment in deal
Ing with corporations is necessary that en-
terprise be not hampered to the detri-
ment of capitalist and wage-earner alike.
yet trust evils must be remedied. Public
ity Is the first essential, coupled with Fed
eral supervision and regulation, even
though constitutional amendment be
necessary to secure power
A cabinet bureau of commerce and in
dustries should be created to deal
commerce, labor. trusts and merchant
marine. Chinese exclusion should be
re-enacted, labor legislation enforced and
stronger immigration laws drawn, that
American wage-earners may be protect
ed Reciprocity must come, but only as
the handmaiden of protection. Foreign
markets must be sought, but only by re-
peal of duties no longer needed for pure
protection or for revenue. General tariff
revision is to be avoided. and duties must
still cover differences in labor cost
Ship subsidies are urged. Foreign ia
Vors TO shipping must be met and Amer
lean merchant marine restored to the
seas. The gold standard must be main
tained, banking further safeguarded, cur
rency made more elastic and revenue
further reduced. deficits being avoided by
economy Amendment of the inter-
state commerce law is urged. That pres
ent progress in American agriculture
may continue, increased Federal atten-
ton must be given forestry and irriga-
ton National irrigation is incompatible
with private ownership of water rights in
arid sections.
Hawaii should be developed on tradi-
tional lines as an American territory
farms titled by owners rather than
estates worked by cheap labor. Porto
Rico is working out its own salvation
Cuba should be free before the present
Congress adjourns. Her freer access to
American markets is a moral obligation
and to our interest. Americas policy is
ment. Instead of being left to anarchy,
the islands have been given honest, nom
partisan government. Error If Il mas
been made, has been in granting self-rule
before communities were fit. Further dis
orders, like former Indian wars will be
met with the same policy. Encourage
ment of insurrectos is on the same plane
as encouragement of hostile Indians 1t
is time to grant limited franchises for
development of the archipelago's re-
sources and for encouraging investment
of capital. Legislation on transportation,
mining, finance and agriculture and tim
Der lands is needed. Government should
lay a Pacific cable unless equal advant-
ages can be had by contract.
A treaty. to be sent to the Senate. per-
mits the United States to build an
isthmian canal in which it has all rights
ever asked. The nations foreign policy
continues to be peace. The Monroe doc
trine is reiterated. A strong navy is urged
earnestly. Sea power is necessary as a
guarantee of peace, for protection of
commerce, for fulfillment of interna tional
duties and for enforcement of interna-
tional rights. More ships are needed, as
are squadron and fleet manoeuvres under
service conditions. General gunnery
practice should be unceasng. Efficiency
is more important than size. A national
naval reserve should supplement an in
creased regular torce. NO further army
increase is needed. but further develop
ment of the mounted infantry type is
recommended. A general staff is favor
ed. Promotion by seniority is attacked,
as is political influence in military
affairs. Manoeuvres in large commands
should be planned. and state militia
commands should participate
The merit system in civil service should
be extended at home and rlgidly applied
in fnctIlar
service. though fairly efficient, might be
reorganized on merit to advantage A
new Indian policy, breaking up the tribes
and putting the Indian on the same indi-
vidual footing as the white, even in cit
izenship, is urged.