Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-03


gions of an annual rainfall of only ten
inches or Whereabouts has been conclu-
sively demonstrated. Through the intro
duction of new rices in Louisiana and
Texas the production OF rice in this coun-
try has been made to about equal the home
demand. In the southwest the possibility
OF regrassing overstocked range lands has
been demonstrated; in the north many new
forage crops have been introduced. while
in the east it has been shown that some
Of our choicest fruits can be stored and
shipped in such a way as to find a profitable
market abroad.
Special ScIentIRc Work.
1 again m to the favorable con-
sideration OF the congress the plans OF the
Smithsonian institution for making the
museum under its charge worthy Of the
nation and for preserving at the national
capital not only records of the vanishing
races of men, but OF the animals Of this
continent which, like the buffalo, will soon
become extinct unless specimens from
which their representatives may be re-
newed are sought in their native regions
and maintained there in safety.
Legislation for the District.
The District of Columbia is the only part
Of our territory in which the national gov
eminent exercises local or municipal func-
tions, and where in consequence the gov
eminent has a free hand in reference to
certain types Of social and economic leg
islation which must be essentially local or
municipal in their character. The govern
ment should see to it, for instance, that
the h~ygienic and sanitary legislation af-
fecting Washington is OF a high character.
The evils of slum dwellings, whether in the
shape of crowded and congested tenement
house district or of the back-alley type,
should never be permitted to grow up In
Washington. The city should be a model
in every respect for all the cities Of the
country. The charitable and correctional
systems Of the district should receive con.
sideration at the hands OF the congress to
the end that they may embody the results
Of the most advanced thought in these
fields. Moreover. while Washington is not
a great Industrial city, there is some in
dustrialism here, and our labor legislation,
while it would not be important in itself,
might be made a model for the rest Of the
nation. We should pass, for instance. a
wise employers liability act for the Dis
trict of Columbia, and we need such ar
act in our navy yards. Railroad companies
in the district ought TO be required by law
to block their frogs.
The safety appliance law, for the better
protection of the lives and limbs Of rail
way employees, which was passed in 1893
went into full effect on August l, 1901. II
has resulted in averting thousands Of casu.
alties. Experience SHOWS. however, the
necessity of additional legislation to per.
feet this law. A bill to provide for this
passed the senate at the last session. II
is to be hoped that some such measure may
now be enacted into law.
Government Printing.
There is q growing tendency to provide
for the publication OF masses of document.
for which there is no public demand anC
for the printing of which there is no rea
necessity. Large numbers of volumes arr
turned out by the government printing
presses for which there is no Justification
Nothing should be printed by any OF tn,
departments unless II contains somethinJ
of permanent value, and the congress coult
with advantage cut down very MATERIAL!
on all the printing which it has now be
come customary TO provide. The excessiv,
cost OF government printing is a stroni
argument against the position OF those VIII
are inclined on abstract grounds 10 advo
cate the governments doing any worl
which can with propriety be left in privat
hands.
Civil Service Reform.
Gratifying progress has been made dur
ing the year in the extension OF the meri
system of making appointments in tn
government service. II should be extende
by law TO the District Of Columbia. 1t i
much to be desired that our consular sys
tenn be established by law on a basis pro
viding for appointment and promotion onl
in consequence Of proved fitness.
Restoration Of white House.
Through a wise provision of the congress
at its last session the White House, whic
had become disigured by incongruous add
lions and changes, has now been restore
to what II was planned 10 be by Washing
ton. In making the reservations the vi
most care has been exercised to come a
near as possible to the early plans and [
supplement these plans by a careful stud
Of such buildings as that OF the Uniyersit
OF Virginia, which was built by Jefferson
The White House is the property Of tn
nation, and so far as is compatible wit
living therein it should be kept as It origin
ally was. for the same reasons that We kes
( Mount Vernon as it originally was. tt
. stately simplicity Of it's architecture is a
1 expression OF the character Of the peric
in which il was built, and is in accord wit
= the purposes it was designed TO serve.
is a good thing TO preserve such building
e as historic monuments which keep ali,
e our sense OF continuity with the nation
. past.
I h reports Of the several executive d.
g partments are submitted to the eongreI
b with this communication.
e THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
s White House. December 2, 1902.