River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-12-07
Ereaied on precisely the same footinr tha.

put these p&ople in the excepted classes
but to state that we will admit all Chinese
except Chinese of the coolie class, Chinese
skilled or unskilled laborers. There would
not be the least danger that any such pro-
vision would result in any relaxation of the
law about laborers. These will, under ali
conditions, be kept out absolutely. But it
will be more easy to see that both Justice
and courtesy are shown, as they ought to
be shown, to other Chinese, if the law or
treaty is framed as above suggested. Elk
aminations should be completed at the port
OF departure from China. For this purpose
there should be provided a more adequate
consular service in China than we now
have. The appropriations, both for the
of1ceS of the conSulS and for the office
forces in the consulates. should be in
creased.
Adulteration of Foods.
recommend that law be enacted to
regulate interstate commerce in mis-
branded 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 consuming public. Traffic in foodstuffs
which have been debased or adulterated so
as to injure health or to deceive purchasers
should be forbidden.
Insular Possessions.
He treats at considerable length of condi-
tions in the Philippines, and recommends
that the coastwise laws of the United
States as applied to the archipelago be suS-
pended until July 1, 1909. He recommends
the immediate fertilization of Hawaii in
order to conserve the interests of this coun-
try in the Pacific. He also advocates the
adoption of legislation that will explicitly
confer American citizenship on the people
of Porto Rico, and on the general subject
of insular affairs says:
/ wish also to call the attention of the
congress to one question which affects our
insular possessions generally; namely, the
need of an increased liberality in the treat
ment of the whole franchise question in
these islands. In the proper desire to pre-
vent the islands being exploited by specula-
tors and to have them develop in the inter-
est of their own people an error has been
made in refusing to grant sufficiently lib
eral terms to induce the investment OF
American capital In the Philippines and in
Porto Rico. Elsewhere in this message
have spoken strongly against the jealousy
of mere wealth, and especially of cor
porate wealth as such. But it is particular
ly regrettable to allow any such jealousy
to be developed when we are dealing either
with our insular or with foreign affairs.
The big corporation has achieved its pres
ent position in the business world simply
because it is the most effective instrument
in business competition. In foreign affairs
we cannot afford to put our people at a dis
advantage with their competitors by in any
way discriminating against the efficiency
of our business organizations. In the same
way we cannot afford to allow our insular
possessions to lag behind in industrial de-
velopment from any twisted jealousy OF
business success. 1t is, of course, & mere
truism to say that the business interests OF
the islands will only be developed If it be-
come the financial interest of somebody to
develop them. Yet this development is one
of the things most earnestly to be wished
for in the interest of the islands themselves.
We have been paying all possible heed to
the political and educational interests of
the islands, but, important though these OBJ
jectS are, it is not less important that we
should favor their industrial development.
The government can in certain ways help
this directly, as by building good roads;
but the fundamental and vital help must
be given through the development of the
industries of the islands, and most eff
cient means to this end is to encourage big
American corporations to start industries
in them and this means to make it advan-
tageous for them to do so. To limit the
ownership Of mining claims as has been
done in the Philippines is absurd
In treating of Alaska he asks that that
territory be granted an elective delegate to
congress, and of the territories of Okla
homa, Indian territory, New Mexico and
Arizona he says:
Admission to Statehood.
I recommend that 1nGian territory and
Oklahoma be admitted as one state and
that New Mexico and Arizona be admitted
as one state. There is no obligation upon
us to treat territorial subdivisions, which
are matters of convenience only, as bind
ing us ON the question of admission to state
hood. Nothing has taken up more time in
the congress during the past few years
than the question as to the statehood to
be granted to the four territories above
mentioned, and after careful consideration
of all that has been developed in the dis
cussions Of the question I recommend that
they be Immediately admitted as two
states. There is no justification for further
delay; and the ACCESSIBILITY of making the
four territories into two states has been
clearly established.
In some of the territories the legislative
assemblies issue licenses for gambling.
The congress should by law forbid this
practice, the harmful results of which are
obvious at a glance.
The Panama Canal.
He refers to the Panama canal, but aside
from asking for an immediate appropria-
ton does not give any recommendations as
to other legislation at this time, but prom
Uses a later communication which shall con-
tain the report Of the board of engineers
and his own conclusions as to the type of
canal. On this subject he says:
The American people is pledged to thu
speediest possible construction of a canal
adequate to meet the demands which the
commerce of the world will make upon it.
and 1 appeal most earnestly to the con-
gress to aid in the fulfillment of the pledge.
Gratifying progress has been made during
the past year and especially during the past
four months. The greater part of the nee
essary preliminary work has been done.
Actual work of excavation could be begun
only on limited scale till the Canal Zone
was made healthful place to live in and
to work in. The isthmus had to be sanitat-
ed first This task has been SO thoroughly
accomplished that yellow fever has been
virtually extirpated from the isthmus and
general health conditions vastly improved.
The same methods which converted the
Island of Cuba from pest hole, which
menaced the health Of the world, into q
healthful place of abode, have been applied
on the isthmus with satisfactory results.
There is no reason to doubt that when the
plans for water supply, paving and sewer
age of Panama and Colon and tho large
labor camps have been fully carried outs
the isthmus will be, for the tropics, an I'M
usually healthy place of abode. The work
is so far advanced now that the health of
all those employed in canal work is as well
guarded as it is on similar work in this
country and elsewhere.
In addition to sanitating the isthmus,
satisfactory quarters are being provided
for employees and an adequate system OF
supplying them with wholesome food at
reasonable prices has been created. Hos
pitfalls have been established and equipped
that are without superiors of their kind
anywhere. The country has thus been