The news & observer., 1905-12-06

In the large majority of cases COM
plants of violations of either the law
or rules are discovered to be unfound-
ed. In this respect, this law com
pares very favorably with any other
Federal statute. The question OF
politics IN the appointment and rcJcn-
ton OF the men engaged in merely
ministerial work has been practically
eliminated in Almost the entire field OF
the civil service law The action of
the Congress in providing the Com
mis- sion with its own force instead Of
requiring 1t to rely on detailed clerks
has been justified by the increased
work done at a smaller cost to the
government. / urge upon Congress Il
careful consideration of the recon-
mendations contained in the annual
report OF the commission.
Copyright Laws.
Cur copyright laws urgently need
revision. They are imperfect in
definition, confused and inconsistent
III expression; they omit provision for
many articles which, under modern
reproductive processes, are entitled to
protection; they impose hardships
upon the copyright proprietor which
are not essential 10 the Iair protection
OF the public; they are difficult for
the courts to interpret and impossi-
Dic for the Copyright Office to aumin-
lister with satisfaction to the public.
Attempts to improve them by amend
ment have been frequent, no less than
twelve acts for the purpose having
been passed since the Revised Statutes
To perfect them by further amend
ment seems impracticable. A COM
nj r row Of &c. IN
Such revision, to meet modern con-
ditions, has been found necessary in
Germany, Austria, Sweden and other
fore .gn countries, and bills embody-
ing ii are pending in England and the
AuSt1 allan colonies. 1t has been urged
here, and proposals for Il commission
90 undertake il have. from time To
time, been pressed upon the Congress-
The Inconvenience of the present
conditions being so great, an attempt
to frame appropriate legislation has
been made by the Copyright Office,
which has called conferences of the
various interests especially and prac-
Jically concerned with the operation
of the copyright laws. 1t has secured
from them suggestions as to the
changes necessary; it has added from
its own experience and Investigations,
and it has drafted a bill which en-
bodies such of these changes and ad-
ditions as, after full discussion and eX-
pert criticism. appeared TO be sound
and safe. In form this bill would
replace the existing insufficient and
inconsistent laws by one general copy
right statute. 1t will be presented to
the Congress at the coming session.
1t deserves prompt consideration.
AdulteratiOn of Foods.
I recommend that law be enacted
to regulate Interstate commerce in
misbranded and adulterated foods,
drinks and drugs. Such law would
protect legitimate manufacture and
commerce, and would tend to secure
the health and welfare Of the consum-
ing public. Traffic in foodstutfs
which have been debased or adul-
terated so as to injure health or to
deceive purchasers should be forbid
den.
Smoke Law.
The law forbidding the emission of
dense black or gray smoke in the city
of Washington has been sustained by
the courts. Something has been ac-
complished under it, but much re-
mains to be done if we would preserve
the Capital City from DETACHMENT by
the smoke nuisance. Repeated pro-
secutions under the law have not had
the desired effect. / recommend that
it be made more stringent by in
creasng both the minimum and
maximum fine; by providing for inn
in cases of repeated vio-
lation; and by affording the remedy
of injunction against the continuation
of the operation of plants which are
persistent offenders. L recommend,
also, an Increase in the number of
whose duty it shall be to
detect violations of the act.
National Parks.
L call your attention to the generous
act of the State of California in con-
ferring upon the United States Gov
ernment the ownership of the Yose-
mite Valley and the Mariposa Big
Tree Grove. There should be no de-
lay in accepting the gift, and appro-
pr.ations should be made for the in
cluding thereof in the Yosemite Ma
tional Park, and for the care and po-
Icing Of the park California has
acted most wisely as well as with great
in the matter. There
are certain mighty natural features Of
our land which should be preserved in
perpetuity for our children and our
children. In my judgment
the Grand Canyon of the Colorado
should be made into q national park.
1t is greatly to be wished that the
State of New York should copy as re-
CARDS Niagara what the State of Cali
fornia has done as regards the Yose-
mite Nothing should be allowed to
interfere with the preservation of
Niagara Falls in all their beauty and
majesty. If the State can not see to
this then it is earnestly to be wished
that she should be willing to turn it
over to the National Government,
which should in such case (if possi-
BILE, in conjunction with the Canadian
assume the burden and
responsibility of preserving unharmed
Niagara Falls; just as it should gladly
assume a similar burden and respon- |
sibility for the Yosemite National |
Park, and as it has already assumed
them for the Yellowstone National
Park. Adequate provision should be
made by the Congress for the proper
care and supervision Of all these ma |
tional parks. The boundaries of the !,
Yellowstone National Park ehould be
extended to the south and east to take !
n such portions of the abutting for !
est reservation as will enable the gov !
to protect the elk on their
winter range.
The most characteristic animal of