Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-11-19
MESSAGE FORECAST.
THE PRESIDENTS PROsAeLEREc
CONCENTRATIONS.
Rooseyelt's State Paper Probably viii
Ask Restriction of Trusts, Appoint
meut of Permanent Tariff Commits

President Roosevelt has his annual
message to Congress far advanced toward
completion. Although the contents of
President Roosevelts message will be
kept secret until it is forwarded to Con-
gress. enough is known as 10 the way in
which some of its topics win be treated
to enable forecast of these features to
be made.
That there has been no change in the
attitude of the administration on Cuban
reciprocity will be made apparent, but
whether the message will urge legisla.
ton or will promise the transmission of
Cuban reciprocity treaty to the Senate
probably will depend up,r the progress
that may be made in the ne~s two weeks
toward the negotiation Of q reciprocity
treaty.
Probable Action on Trusts.
Interest in the forthcoming message is
largely centered in what the President
may have to say on the subject of trust
regulation, The President will urs Con-
gress to consider this subject carefully,
with the view to the enactment of legis-
lation which will regulate the trusts with
out endangering the industries in which
they are engaged.
He has already indicated that he will
favor constitutional amendment, if such
an amendment is necessary, to enable
Congress to ret effectively. He has been
advised, however, by such capable law
yer as Attorney General Knox that the
necessary power already exists, aud he
will recommend legislation along the lines
of the Attorney Generals Pittsburg
speech.
The message probably win refer to the
strike in the anthracite mines and 10 the
progress being made toward nm adjust
ment Of the difficulties between the mine
workers and the mine owners.
There win be nothing in the message
savoring of the abandonment Of the prin-
ciples of protection, but this will not pre-
vent him from recommending the reduc-
ton, by direct enactment or by reciprocal
agreements with foreign nations, of rates
OF duty which may no longer be needed
for purposes OF protection.
1t has been announced by n member of
the cabinet that the message viii favor
such reductions, and that it will also urge
the creation of a permanent commission
which can at all times give expert COM
sideration to the needs of the government
and of the varying interests, thus en-
aiding il to make recommendations to
Congress which will save the commit
tees charged with the preparation of
revenue laws a great deal'of labor and in
sure more intelligent framing OF such
laws.
Views on Currency Reform.
Closely allied to the question Of reve-
nue. is the subject Of currency and bank
ing reform. Secretary Shaw is heartily
in favor of the establishment of ays-
TEN of asset banking which would give
greater hexibility to the national bank
currency Of the country, and would en-
able the banks themselves to tide over
many periods CT monetary stringeucy,
in which they must now appeal TO the
treasury for help. If the President does
not specifically recommend such legisln.
| ton in his message he probably will call
| the attention of Congress TO the recon-
mendations of the Secretary of the Treas
| ury.
The message will indorse the recon-,
mendat:ans which Secretary Moody will
make in his annual report for the in
crease and improvement Of the navy.
One of the questions which may not he
finally disposed of by the President until
| just before his message is sent to the
| printers is the reference which he will
make to the Panama canal. As result
of the report of Attorney General Knox,
he will be able to inform Congress that
| the United States can acquire an UNI
| doubted title to the property of the
French Panama canal company, and. If
| the negotiations with the Colombian gov
eminent had advanced as rapidly MS had
| been hoped. he would be able to announce
| that the way was clear for the beginning
| Of construction worn at once. The Co
| lomban negotiations have dragged along
| IN such an unsatisfactory manner, how
ever, that it is doubtful If he will be able
TO tell Congress that ,treaty has been
negotiated complying with the terms OF
| the Panama canal act.