Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-06

ment. The absolute right Of remova
rests where it always has rested, will
the head of department; any limita.
ton of this absolute right results ir
grave injury to the public service. The
change is merely one of procedure: II
was much needed; and it is producing
good results.
The civil service law is being ener-
setlcally and impartially enforced and
In the large majority of cases COM
plants of violations of either the law OF
rules are discovered to be unfounded
In this respect, this law compares very
laForably with any other Federal
statute. i..- question of politics in
the appointment and retention of the
men engaged in merely ministerial
work has been practically eliminated in
almost the entire field of government
employment covered by the civil service
law. The action of the Congress in
providing the commission with it's own
force instead of requiring it to rely on
detailed clerks has been justified by the
increased work done at smaller cost
10 the government. l urge upon the
Congress Il careful consideration of the
recommendations contained in the an
nual report Of the commission.
COPYRIGHT LAWS.
Our copyright laws urgently need re-
vision. They are imperfect in defini-
ton, confused and inconsistent in eX-
preston; they omit provision for many
articles which, under modern reproduce
tive processes, are entitled to protec-
ton; they impose hardships upon the
copyright proprietor which are not es-
Seht1al TO the fair protection of the
public; they are difficult for the courts
to interpret and impossible for the
copyright office to administer with
satisfaction to the public. Attempts
to Improve them by amendment have
been frequent, no less than twelve acts
for the purpose having been passed
since the Revised Statutes. To perfect
them by further amendment seems inn
practicable. A complete revision of
them IS essential. Such a revision, to
meet modern conditions, has been found
necessary i'll Germany, Austria, Swe-
den, end other foreign countries, and
billS embodying it are pending in Eng
Rand and the Australian colonies. 1t
has been urged here, and proposals for
a commission to undertake it have,
from time to time, been pressed upon
the Congress. The Inconvenience of
the present conditions being so great,
an attempt to frame appropriate legis-
lation has been made by the copyright
office, which has called conferences of
the various interests especially and
concerned with the opera
ton of the copyright laws. 1t has Sc
cured 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 re-
place the existing insufficient and in
laws by one general copy
right statute. 1t will be presented to
the Congress at the coming session. 1t
deserves prompt consideration.
ADULTERATIONO OF FOODS.
1 recommend that law be enacted |
to regulate interstate commerce in
and adulterated foods,
drinks and drugs. Such law would
and would tend to secure
the health and welfare OF the consum-
ing public. Traffic in foodstuffs |
which have been debased or adulterat- |
FL 50 as to injure health or to deceive |
purchasers should be forbidden.
SMOKE LAW.
The law forbidGing the emission of |
1nnSa hla ok Sr11nlya in he, oft
IF Washington has been sustained by
The courts. Something has been ac-
under it, but much remains
10 be done if we would preserve the
capital city from DETACHMENT by the |
smoke nuisance. Repeated prosecu-
lions under the law have not had the
desired effect. l recommend that it be
made more stringent by increasing |
both the minimum and maximum fine; |
by providing for Imprisonment in cases
)f repeated violation; and by affording |
the remedy of injunction against the |
of the operation of plants |
which are persistent offenders. I |
recommend, also. an increase in the |
number of inspectors. whose duty it |
shall be to detect violations of the act.
NATIONAL PARKS.
l call your attention to the generous
lct of the state of California in con- |
'erring upon the United States govern
nent the ownership of the Yosemite |
Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree
iroVe. There should be no delay in |
the gift. and appropriations
should be made for the including there
IF in the Yosemite National Park, and |
FOR the care and policing of the park.
California has acted most wisely as |
we'll as with great magnanimity in the
matter. There are certain mighty |
natural features of our, land which |
should be preserved in perpetuity for |
our children ard our children's chill
lren. In my judgment the Grand
Canyon of the Colorado should be made
into a national park. 1t is greatly to
be wished that the state of New York
should copy as regards Niagara what
the state of California has done as re-
CARDS the Yosemite. Nothing should
be allowed to interfere with the preser-
vation 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