The Washington times., 1903-12-10
SUGGESTIONS
IN CONTIGUOUS REPORT

Continued from Page Ihree-)
many points to the practical affairs of
the nation. a striking illustration of
this fact is found in the current inves-
tigation of the bureau concerning the
receipts and expenditures OF cities. The
schedule prepared for collecting data
relating to this subject has become the
pivot around which is now centering
a well-organized movement for secur-
ing "a uniform classification of munich
pal accounts. and more intelligent
presentation Of them.
1 desire here t. call attention to the
recommendation made by the Commits
sioner General of Immigration and the
Director of the Census that provision
at once be made by law for securing
the proper statistics of foreign born
emigrants from this country. No salts
factory statistical statement of immi-
grafton and its permanent effect upon
the population of the country can be
compiled unless the statistics of imai-
grafton are accompanied by the cores
ponding statistics of foreign emigra-
ton.
Bureau of Statistics.
The work of the Bureau of Statistics
now embraces statistical inquiry regard
ing the commerce of the world In the
earlier history OF the bureau its pub
LEGATIONS consisted Of a brief monthly
| statement of imports and exports, classi-
fed by principal articles. and an annual
volume entitled Commerce and Navi-
cation" that showed the countries from
which the imports Of the year were re-
ceived and to which the exports of
the year We're sent, together with the
r1a Of
were transported.
With the development of the COM
merce the monthly, statement was grad
tally enlarged, and at the present time
/ shows in each Issue not Only the eoun-
/ tries from which the principal imports
are brought and to which the principal
exports are sent, but also the total
| imports from and exports TO each
country Of the world. month by month.
| and for the accumulated months of the
| current year, compared with the CORE
spending months of the two years i'm
mediately preceding.
Steamboat Inspection.
In regard to this service the report
states that the board Of supervising in
| spectors held a special session during
the summer. at which some changes in
these general acts and regulations were
considered. The proposed changes are
now under examination by the depart
ment. With other recommendations
prompted by the defects Of the present
/ inspection system, the department will
Incorporate such of these proposed
| changes as seem desirable in a bill To
amend the laws now in force. This bill
viii be submitted to Congress for is
consideration during the present regu-
| lar session
The Government is not only maintain
ing and increasing the supply Of food fish
in public waters. but is doing 80 in ac-
cordance with sound business princl-
pies. The annual appropriations for the
maintenance Of the bureau OF Fisher
les have been profitable investments
yielding direct financial returns to the
public; and these returns have con.
stantly been augmented and for year.
have been many times in excess OF the
total expenses OF the work
A National Aquarium.
The department has under consfdera
ton the question of establishing. inFcon
nectiOp with the Bureau OF Fisheries. Z
national aquarium Of such size anc
architectural excellence that it will b,
/ a credit to the nation. An appropria
ton for such an aquarium WIN in du,
course be recommended.
Alaskan Salmon Fisheries.
The large capital invested in the Alas.
kan salmon fisheries and value Of the
annual product demand that prompt ac
ton be taken to insure the permanency
: Of the industry. The present drain OF
the salmon resources is so great thai
adequate artificial propagation and rigit
inspection are instituted.
Although the seasons pack Of Alaskan
5 salmon showed a decrease in volume
= SIS market value. owing to higher price:
/ for fhe better grades. win exceed tina
2 OF any year in the history Of the indus
e try. 1t is estimated that the receipts
viii aggro gate about Sl1,2OO. Co., or a gaii
90 nearly 30 per cent over those OF TIT
year before. The tax paid TO the Gov
eminent will be about $4,000
Seal Catch OF 1908.
As a result Of the killing Of fur seal
on the Pribilof Islands during the sea
= son ended August. 1908. there were takel
= - 292 seaIskins for the quota Of 1903, an
- 81 rejected skins shipped by order of III
department and charged 10 the quota 0
{; 1902
! OF the ls, 292 skins so taken 1902 wer
s from St. George and 1920 from 81
. Paul. The 50 rejected skins came fror
the latter island.
The catch Of 1903 was 3,09i less tina
that of 1892. This decrease was due I
. the fact that bachelor seals were no
present in so large numbers as in tn
preceding year.
: The presence Of sealing schooner
within sight OF the Islands this sun
[ mer. before the beginning OF the pelag
- season in Bering Sea, indicated pul
e suit Of the American herd Of seals dun
s ing the closed season. II was imposs
o bic to determine the nationality Of Ii
= schooners. There IS reason to believ
e however, that foreigners are not II
r only offenders. American citizens al
L undoubtedly engaged in pelagic sealtn
under foreign flags. If the law prohii
t. iting such sealing is TO be made e.
g fective, citizens of the United State
should not be permitted 10 use the fla
!. Of z foreign nation as cloak for II
: / violation OF American statutes.
: The Bureau Of Navigation, which
| charged with the general superintenC
. ence OF the commercial marine an
| roavobapT men exceDt In certain ma