The National tribune., 1905-12-14
WASHINGTON THURSDAY
SECRETARY rArT-s REPORT.

NE: WASHINGTON, D. G., THU
SECRETARY TAFT"s REPORT.
Secretary Tafts annual report con-
tains an unusual. number of subjects Of
the greatest interest. Naturally he
gives much space to the Panama Canal.
and his views ard entirely hopeful. He
explains the necessity for an emergen-
oy appropriation of $16,500.000 by say
ing that the payroll is something like
100000 month. and that, expecting
there would be an extra session of Con-
gress in October, the work was pushed
ahead to the limit Of the money on
hand at that time. anticipating that
Congress would make further provi-
sion. In his recent visit to the Isthmus
the Secretary found everything in q
much more advanced condition that at
his visit the year previous. Good
housing has been provided for the en-
ployes. the yellow fever has been
stamped out. and all the subordinates
have the highest confidence in Chief
Engineer Shonts, who has done q
great work in organizing and co-ordin-
ating the different bureaus and divi-
sions SO that they all work together in
harmony, and the results Of every
mans work are properly known and
valued. SO that efficiency meets its
just appreciation and reward. The
Panamans are very much pleased with
the change and cheerful and happy
with the prospects for the future.
In regard to the Philippines the Sec
rotary strongly urges that all the pro-
| ducts Of the Islands, except sugar and
tobacco, be allowed free entry into the
ports of the United States, and that
sugar and tobacco shall have a duty
OF only rs per cent Of the present tar
III imposed upon them for three years.
and that after 1909 there shall be COM
plete free trade between the Islands
and the United States He also wants
| the coastwise law relating to trade be-
| tween the Philippines and this coun-
| try suspended until 1909 SO that the
passage Of vessels between these ports
| shall be as free as our Internal COM
merce. He does not believe that the
lowering of the duties on sugar and
tobacco will in any manner affect the
prices of those commodities in the
United States. while it will be the
greatest encouragement to the devel-
opment Of the agricultural resources of
the Islands
| The Secretary renews his recon-
| nendation for the consolidation of all
the Military Park Commissions into
| single Commission Of three or five
mem bers, which Will be an economy
and also tend to hasten the completion
of the work.
The Secretary urges the adoption of
the proposed measures providing for
the increase of the artillery. the crea-
ton of a coast defense reserve and for
the regulation Of promotion and an in
| crease of officers in the Regular Army.
The suggested measures would increase
the cost of the military establishment
about 100000 year, but 1t seems
absolutely necessary, especially with
regard to the sea-coast Notifications,
which have a mass OF heavy and cost
ly guns with complicated machinery
and expensive accessories, all Of which
must be properly taken care of by COM
petent men.
AS a remedy for desertion. which is
"the bane and disgrace of the Army"
Secretary Taft recommends a compul-
sorry probationary service. and thinks
that the first enlistment should be for
one year. During this time the unde-
sirable recruits could be weeded out
and men who found that they had
made a mistake in entering the army
could retire from it.
A more rigid examination of officers
is strongly urged. Any officer who by
failure in the garrison or service
schools has shown his incapacity
should be brought at once before a
board to determine whether he is fit
to continue in service. and If not to dis
miss him.
The installation of the apparatus for
teaching fire control and accurate aim
ing. including range and position find
ers. will be about $1,000, 900, for which
Congress has already appropriated ST.
$4,000, and S1.500,OOO more is asked
for.
The Army and Militia maneuvers
were omitted last Autumn on account
OF lack OF appropriation, but the Sec
| rotary recommends that Congress pro-
vide for such exercises for the coming
Fall
The organized Militia of the States
and Territories aggregates now 1911
| sos, Of whom 1t is estimated about Is
| per cent would respond to a call for
| an emergency of invasion or insurrec-
| ton. A marked increase Of interest i'm
the Militia organizations has been ex-
hibited by the young men everywhere,
| and the State authorities have gener-
ally shown much interest In their Mill
| tia and have been wedding out incom-
potent officers and taking other steps
to bring their Militia to high state of
| organization and efficiency.
It will surprise many to know that
election corruption is more fragrant in
England than in this country, in spite
of all the efforts which have been made
for the past half-century to eradicate
the evil. It Is the worst in the seaport
| cities, where there is large purchas-
able vote, and the candidates of both
parties are equally guilty in the buy
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