The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-17
ISSUES
CANAL MESSAGE
Continued From First Page.


commission breathes honesty as it
breathes efficiency and energy.
The contract plan is strongly urged.
The president s conclusion is that q
plan to let out most Of the work by
contract will give the maximum Of adj
vantage and the minimum of disad-
vantage.
A seven-headed commission is re-
garded as cumbersome, and it is sug-
gested that there should be but one
commissioner, with such heads of de-
partments and other officers under him
4 Badges for Builders.
Near the close of the message is this:
"A badge is to be given to every
American citizen who for specified
time has taken part in this work; for
participation in it will hereafter be held
to reflect honor upon the man partici-
patlng Just as 1t rejects honor upon a
soldier to have belonged to a. mighty
, army in great war for righteousness.
1 Pleads Navy Changes.
In another special message Transmits
ted to congress today the president
earnestly recommends early considera-
! ton OF the naval personal bill, saving
that should it be enacted into law It
will cause officers on the seagoing list
to reach the grade Of captain at 48 and
rear admirals at SIS and will assure their
serving seven years in the grade Of
captain and seven years in the grade
of rear admiral, thus enabling them to
become thoroly skilful and efficient in
these grades
The bill also establishes the grade of
vice admiral on occasions Of official i'm
portance, of international council or Of
combined naval action the interests of
this great nation demand that our
naval representatives shall rank as the
equal Of the naval representatives Of
other powers. .j =
Saving of Millions.
The president. says that, if the pro-
posed plan of promotion is carried out
it will, as compared with existing law
make saving Of more than $5,000,000
during the next seven years. ..
The principal part Of this saving is
made by stopping the voluntary retire
ment Of young lieutenant commanders
with the rank and pay of commanders
upon the retired list. ......'....
The president is firmly of the opinion
that unless the present condition Of the
higher commissioned personnel is recti-
fed by judicious legislation the future
Of our navy will be gravely compro-
missed. IT,. .a#
Guard Public Lands.
In still another message the president
urges the repeal Of timber and
stone act. demands the radical
amendment of the desert land act,
urges the repeal Of the communication
clause Of the homestead act, all Of
which he declares. now serve to turn
great tracts Of land over to specula-
tors and corporations. 49,. -. =:
To prouant tho frorS,,1.ont
Of public lands, the president says he
has directed the secretary of the interi-
or to allow no patent to be issued to
public lands under any law until, by an
examination on the ground actual COM
pliance with that law has been found to
exist: The, president believes, that
there should be provisions for leasing
strictions. p
He urges the revision and re-enact-
ment Of the existing laws affecting
rights of way and privileges on public
lands and reservations in one compre-
hensive act, providing that the regula-
lions now in force I'M any cases may be
extended to all ?oaLegislation is recon-
mended in line with The proposal to al
low railroads to consolidate their hold
ings Of timber within forest reserves
by exchange. after deciding their lands
to the government. s:- =
| The president recommends that the
secretary Of the treasury be authorized
to advance to the forest service
upon the security Of the standing TIM
Der an amount, say $5,000,O00. sufficient
to provide reasonable working CAPT.
tai for the national forests to bear in
| terest and to be repaid in annual in
stallments Of ten years.
The power to create national forests
by proclamation should be extended to
Indian lands, the Indians to be paid
the full value of land thus taken.
The president recommends legislation
which will provide for government con-
troll Of the public range. thru the de-
partment of agriculture to insure to
each locality rules for grazing special
ly adapted to it's needs and to author.
lie the collection of reasonable graz
ing fee. He says he will see to it
that illegal fences are removed unless
congress takes steps to legalize proper
fencing by government control of the