The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1902-12-05

in consequence the government has free hand
in reference to certain types Of social and eco
nomic legislation which must be essentially local
or municipal in their character. The government
should see to it, for instance, that the hygienic
and sanitary legislation affecting Washington is
OF high character. The evils of sum dwellings,
whether in the shape of crowded and congested
tenement house districts or of the back alley
type, should never be permitted to grow up in
Washington. The city should be model in every
respect for all the cities Of the country The
charitable and correctional systems of the Dis
trict should receive consideration 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 great
industrial CITY, there is industrialism 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 in
stance wise employers liability act for the Dis
trict OF Columbia, and we need such an act in
our navy yards Railroad companies in the Dis
trict ought to be required by law to block their
frogs
The safety appliance law, for the better pro-
lection of the lives and limbs of railway EN-
ployees, which was passed in 1893, went into full
effect on Aug. l., 1901. It has resulted in avert
ing thousands of casualties. Experience shows,
however, the necessity of additional legislation
to perfect this law bill to provide for this
passed the senate at the last session. 1t is to be
hoped that some such measure may now be en-
acted into law.
There is a growing tendency to provide for the
publication of masses of documents for which
there is public demand and for the printing Of
OF volumes are turned out by the government
printing presses for which there is no Justification
Nothing should be printed by any of the depart
ments unless it contains something Of permanent
value, and the congress could with advantage cut
down very materially all the printing which
it has now become customary to provide The
excessive cost Of government printing is a strong
argument against the position of those who are
inclined on abstract grounds to advocate the gov
ernments doing any work which can with pro-
prlety be left in private hands.
Gratifying progress has been made during the
year in the extension of the merit system of max
ing appointments in the government service 1t
should be extended by law to the District of Co.
lumbia. 1t is much to be desired that our con-
providing for appointment and promotion only in
consequence of proved fitness
Through wise provision Of the congress at its
last session the White House, which had become
disfgured by incongruous additions and changes,
has now been restored to what it planned to
be by Washington In making the restorations
the utmost care has been exercised to come as
ment these plans by a careful study of such
buildings as that Of the University of Virginia,
which built by jefferson. The White House
is the property Of the nation and so far as is
compatible with living therein it should be kept
as it originally was, for the reasons that
we keep Mount Vernon it originally was. The
stately simplicity of its architecture is an
preston of the character of the period in which
1t was built and is in accord with the purposes
1t was designed to serve. 1t is a good thing to
preserve such buildings as historic monuments
which keep alive our sense Of continuity with the
nations past
The reports of the several executive depart
ments submitted to the congress with this
THEODORE ROOSEVELT