Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-12-07

THE president cOmmendS the work
of the international monetary confer
ence and advises its continuance
A majority of our people desire that
steps be taken in the interests of
American shipping so that we may
once more resume our former position
in the ocean carrying trade. But hith-
erto the differences of opinion as to
the proper method of reaching this end
have been so wide that it has proved
impossible to secure the adoption of
any particular scheme. Having in
view these facts, l recommend that the
congress direct the secretary of the
navy, the postmaster general and the
secretary of commerce and labor asso-
ciated with such a representation from
the senate and house of representatives
as the congress in it's wisdom may des-
ignatc. to serve as commission for the
purpose of Investigating and reporting
to the congress at its next session what
legislation is desirable or necessary for
the development of the American mer-
chant marine and American commerce
and incidentally of national ocean
mail service of adequate auxiliary ma
val cruisers and naval reserves. While
such n measure is desirable in any
event, it is especially desirable at this
time, in view of the fact that our pres
ent governmental contract for ocean
mail with the American line will expire
in 1905. The establishment of new
lines of cargo ships to South America,
to Asia and elsewhere would be much
in the interest of our commercial eX-
pansion.
immigration.
We cannot have too much immigra-
ton of the right kind, and we should
have none at all of the wrong kind.
The need is to devise some system by
which undesirable immigrants shall be
kept out entirely, while desirable inn
migrants are properly distributed
throughout the country. At present
some districts which need immigrants
have none, and in others, where the
population is already cOngestcd, immi-
grants come in such numbers as to de-
press the conditions of life for those al
ready there. During the last two years
the immigra ton service at New York
has been greatly improved and the cor
ruption and inefficiency which former
ly obtained there have been cradicated
This service has just been investigated
by n committee OF New York citizens
of high standing. Messrs. Arthur V.
Briesen, Lee X Erankel, Eugene a
Philbin, Thomas W. Hynes and Ralph
Trautman. Their report deals with the
whole situation at length and concludes
with certain recommendations for adj
ministrative and legislative action. 1t
t. ~
secretary of commerce and labor.
Standardization Frauds.
The special investigation of the sub
ject of naturalization under the direc-
ton of the attorney general and the
consequent prosecutions reveal a condi-
ton of affairs calling for the immedi-
ate attention of the congress. For
geries and perjuries of shameless and
fragrant character have been perpe-
trated not only in the dense centers of
population, but throughout the country,
and it is established beyond doubt that
very many so called citizens of the
United States have no title whatever
to that right and are asserting and en-
joying the benefits of the same through
the grossest frauds. 1t is never to be
the words recently used by the su-
preme court of the United States, an
'inestimable heritage" whether it pro-
ceeds from birth within the country
or is obtained by naturalization. and
we poison the sources of our national
character and strength at the fountain
if the privilege is claimed and exer-
cised without right and by means of
fraud and corruption.
The federal grand jury lately in ses-
sion in New York city dealt with this
subject and made presentment which
states the situation briefly and forcibIy
and contains important suggestions for
the consideration of the congress. This
presentment is included as an appendix
TO the report of the attorney general.
In my last annual message, in con-
nection with the subject of the due
regulation of combinations of capital
which are or may become injurious to
the public, recommended a special ap-
preparation for the better enforcement
of the antitrust law as it now stands,
to be expended under the direction of
the attorney general. Accordingly (by
the legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation act of Feb %, 1908. 81
Stat, S54, 904). the congress appro-
priated for the purpose of enforcing the
various federal trust and interstate
commerce laws the sum of 100000. to
be expended under the direction of the
attorney general in the employment of
special counsel and agents in the de-
partment of Justice to conduct proceed
ings and prosecutions under said laws
in tine courts of the United States. L
now recommend. as matter of the ut
most importance and urgency, the ex-
tension of the purposes of this appro-
priation, so that it may be available,
under the direction of the attorney
general and until used. for the due en-
forcement of the laws of the United
States in general and especially of the
civil and criminal laws relating TO pub
lie lands and the laws relating TO postal