The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-05

probable that the present grazing value
of the open public range is scarcely
more than half what it once was or
what it might easily be again under
careful regulation.
The forest policy of the administra-
ton appears to enjoy the unbroken
support of the people. The great users
of timber are themselves forwarding
All organized opposition to the forest
reserves in the west has disappeared
Since the consolidation of all govern
ment forest work in the national for
est service there has been 81 rapid and
notable gain in the usefulness of the
forest reserves to the people and in
public appreciation of their value The
national parks within or adjacent to
forest reserves should be transferred
to the charge of the forest service also.
The national government already
does something in connection with the
construction and maintenance of the
great system of levees along the lower
course of the Mississippi; in my judg-
ment it should do much more.
To the spread of our trade in peace
and the defense of our flag in war a
great and prosperous merchant marine
is Indispensable. We should have
ships of our own and seamen of our
own to convey our goods to neutral
markets and in case of need to re-
enforce our battle line. 1t can not but
be a source of regret and uneasiness
to us that the lines of communica-
ton with our sister republics of South
America should be chiefly under for
eign control It is not q good thing
that American merchants and manu-
facturers should have to send their
goods and letters to South America via
Europe if they wish security and dis
patch. Even on the Pacific, where our
ships have held their own better than
on the Atlantic, our merchant flag is
now threatened through the liberal
aid bestowed by other governments on
their own steam lines. I ask your earn
est consideration of the report with
which the merchant marine commits
sion has followed its long and careful
inquiry.
jamestown Tercentennial.
again heartily commend to your
favorab BILE consideration the tercenten-
NAL ceIebra ton of the settlement at
Jamestown, Virginia. Approaching
the desirability OF this commemora
ton the congress passed an act,
March g. 1905, authorizing in the year
1907. on and near the waters of Hamp-
ton Roads, in the state OF Virginia. an
international naval. marine and mill
tal.v celebration in honor of this event.
nv the authority vested in me by this
act. I have made proclamation of said
| celebration, and have issued IN con-
foruity with its instruction. invitations
to all the nations of the earth to par
.
and such military organizations as may
be practicable. This celebration
would fail of its full purpose unless II
were enduring in its results and COM
mensurate with the importance of the
event to be celebrated, the event from
which our nation dates its birth.
earnestly hope that this celebration,
already Endorsed by the congress OF
the United States. and by the legisla-
lures of sixteen states since the action
Of the congress. win receive such adj
ditionaI aid at your hande as VIII make
it worthy of the great event it is in
| tended to celebrate and thereby enable
the government of the United States
to make provision for the exhibition OF
! its own resources. and likewise enable
our people who have undertaken the
work of such a celebration to provide
suitable and proper entertainment ano
( instruction in the historic events of oui
country for all who may visit the ex-
! position and to whom we have ten
I dered our hospitality.
It is a matter of unmixed satisfac-
ton once more to call attention to ths
! excellent work of the pension bureau
( for the veterans Of the civil war have
a greater claim upon US than any Other
class of our citizens. To them mrs