Morris tribune., 1906-12-29

the land frauds in the west and the
personnel of the navy. The canal mes
sage was an interesting story of his
observations during his recent visit on
the isthmus and was accompanied by
q series of photographs showing graph
| lcally the progress of the work done
and the conditions under which the
| taborerS live He praises the work
Of the commission and refers to critics
as 'slanderers and libelers," but adj
vises the appointment of one canal
commissioner instead Of seven. Con-
fidence is expressed in the ultimate
success of the project
In his land grab message the pres
| ident urges the necessity of new laws
to make the fraudulent acquisition OF
government lands more difficult and
advises leasing lands to private indi-
viduals and corporations for operation
under government control.
AS to the navy. be would have the
| law changed so that younger officers
| may reach the highest rank. He urges
the revival of the grade of vice ad-
miral. Under the proposed law Off
GERS may reach the grade Of captain at
forty-eight and admiral at ffty-ive,
thus assuring their service in each of
these positions for seven years.
Report on the Japanese Question.
Later the president transmitted to
congress the report of Secretary Met
calf on the Japanese trouble in Cali
fornia and repeated his threat of using
federal powers to maintain treaty
rights in case the people of California
do not show the proper disposition.
Metcalf's report testifes to the very
small number Of japanese children who
attend school and to their personal
brightness, cleanliness and good be-
haviOr The president makes it plain
that he would have no objection what
| ever to excluding from the schools any
Japanese ON the score of age, saying
that it is obviously not desira ble for
young men to go to school with chill
dren, consequently the only real issue
Is the exclusion of japanese childen
He says that arrangements have al
ready been made to bring a suit that
will test the constitutionality Of the
segregation law, but expresses the
hope that it will not be necessary to
press the suit.
Salary Grab Voted Down.
The proposition to Increase the sal
airy Of congressman from $1,000 to
$500 was defeated in the house by a
vote of 1SS to 1917 on the rot 4 call
Representative Clark of Florida id de-
Tending the proposition said that most
Of the men who voted against it would
do so hoping it would pass. Prior to
this however the house had decided
to favor increasing the salaries of the
vice president. the speaker and mem
bers of the cabinet to $4,000 on the
ground that the cost of living had in
creased
Military Demands Criticized.
Senator Hale Of Maine made the dec
lara ton that two-thirds of the reve-
nues Of the government are now de-
voted TO the payment OF inheritances
from past wars and expenditures for
future wars. He called attention to
the arguments Of the army promoters
that it was no use to have an army
unless you have guns ard Notifications
and now that $10O,00O GOO had been APP
prOpriated for seacoast fortified tons,
the argument was, what is the use Of
having guns and Notifications unless
YOU have men ?" Thus he said K was
the constant pressure OF the army to
aggrandize itself first for men, then for
guns and then guns and then men.