The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-12-04
THE EVENING T1MEsyaRAND FORKS ND.

q the national policy Of irrigation and
forest preservation. No government
policy for the betterment Of our inter-
nal conditions has been more fruitful
Of good than this.
Divorce Legislation.
am well aware Of how difficult 1t is
to pass n constitutional amendment.
Nevertheless. In my judgment. the
whole question Of marriage and d.
vorce should be relegated to the au-
thority Of the national congress. The
change would be good from every
standpoint. In particular 1t would be
good because It would confer on the
congress the power at once to deal
radically and efficiently with polygamy.
and this should be done whether or
not marriage and divorce are dealt
with. 1t is neither safe nor proper to
leave the question Of polygamy to be
dealt with by the several states.
Merchant Marine.
Let me once again call the attention
Of the congress to two subjects con.
corning which have frequently be-
fore communicated with them. One is
the question Of developing American
shipping. ! trust that law embody-
ing in substance the views or a major
part Of the views expressed in the re-
port on this subject laid before the
house at its last session gill be passed
It seems to me that the proposed meas.
ure Is as nearly unobjectionable as any
can be.
The Currency.
especially call your attention to the
second subject. the condition of our
currency laws. The national bank act
has ably served great purpose in aid
ing the enormous business develop.
ment Of the country. and within ten
years there has been an increase In
circulation per capita from $21.41 to
$33.0S. For several years evidence has
been accommodating that additional leg.
islation Is needed. The recurrence Of
each crop season emphasizes the de-
fects Of the present laws. There must
soon be revision Of them, because
to leave them as they are means to III.
cur liability of business disaster. Since
your body adjourned there has been
ductuation in the interest on call
money from per cent to 30 per cent,
and the fluctuation was even greater
during the preceding six months. The
secretary of the treasury had to step
in and by wise action put stop to the
most violent period Of oscillation.
I do not press any especial plan. Va.
rious plans have recently been pro.
posed by expert committees Of bank.
ers. Among the plans which are posi-
bly, feasible and which certainly should
receive your consideration Is that re.
peatedly brought to your attention by
the present secretary Of the treasury.
the essential features Of which have
been approved BY many prominent
bankers and business men. According
to this plan. national banks should be
permitted to ISSUE specified proper
ton Of their capital in notes Of given
kind, the issue to be taxed at so high
q rate as to drive the notes back when
not wanted in legitimate trade. This
plan would not permit the issue Of
currency to give banks additional prof
Its. but to meet the emergency present
ed by times of stringency.
do not say that this Is the right sys.
TEN. only advance it to emphasize
my belief that there is need for the
adoption Of some system which shall
be automatic and open to all sound
banks so as to avoid all possibility of
discrimination and favoritism.
The law should be amended 30 as
specifically to provide that the funds
derived from customs duties may be
treated by the secretary of the treas
ury as he treats funds obtained under
the internal revenue laws. There
should be considerable increaee in
bills of small denominations. Permis.
sion should be given banks. If necessa-
~ under settled restrictions. to retire
their circulation to larger amount
than three millions a month,
Our Outlying Possessions.
most earnestly hope that the bill to
provide q lower tariff for or else abso-
lutte free trade in Philippine products
will become law. No harm will come
to any American industry. and. while
there will be some small but real mate
rial benefit to the Fiiipinos. the main
benefit will come by the showing made
as to our purpose to do all In our power
for their welfare.
Psrto Ricaa ARairs.
American citizenship should be con.
ferred ON the citizens Of Porto Rico.
The harbor Of San Juan. in Porto Rico,
should be dredged and improved. The
expenses of the federal court Of Porto
Rico should be met from the federal
treasury.
The needs Of Hawaii are peculiar.
Every aid should be given the islands.
and our efforts should be unceasing to
develop them along the lines of CON-
munity of small freeholders, not Of
great planters with cody titled es.
tates.
Alaska's needs have been partially
met, but there must be complete re.
organization Of the governmental sys-
TEN, as I have before indicated to you.
I ask your especial attention to this.
Our fellow citizens who dwell on the
shores Of Puget sound with character
istic energy are arranging to hold In
Seattle the Alaska Yukon Pacific ex.
position. This exposition in its pur-
poses and scope should appeal not only
to the people Of the Pacific slope. but