Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-12-06

cernIng which / have frequently be
fore communicated with them. One Is
the question of developing American
shipping. | trust that a 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 will be passed
1t seems TO me that the proposed meas
ure is as nearly unobjectionable as any
can be.
The Currency.
L 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 $2141 to
$330S. 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 a revision of them, because
to leave them as they are means to in
cur liability of business disaster. Since
your body adjourned there has been
fluctuation IN the interest OH call
money from . per cent to 80 per cent,
and the fiuctuation 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.
l do not press any especial plan. Va
rlous 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-
peaIeuIy Drought 10 your attentloh oy
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 he
permitted 10 issue Il specified proper
ton of their capital in notes OF Il given
kind the issue to be taxed at so high
not wanted in legitimate trade. This
plan would not permit The issue of
currency 10 give banks additional prof
its. but to meet the emergency present
ed by times Of stringcacy.
do not say that this is the right sys-
tenn. | only advance il - 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 SO as
specifically to provide that the funds
derived from customs duties may be
treated BY the ST. rotary Of the treas.
ury as he treats funds obtained under
the internal revenue laws. There
should be Il conS.Cvra nle increase in
bills OF small concentrations. permiS
sion should hs given banks. if necessa-
ry under settled reStr ,tons, 10 retire
their circulation to larger amount
than three millions a month.
Our Outlying Possessions.
most earnestly hope that the bill to
provide Il lower tarif for or else abso-
lutte free trade in Philippine products
will become Il law No harm will come
TO any American industry. and, while
there will be some small but real mate
rial benefit 10 the FilipinOs, the main
benefit will come by the showing made
as to oG' purpose to do all in our power
for their welfare.
Porto Rican Affairs.
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
Hawaii.
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 COM
munity Of small freehOlders. not of
great planters with cody TILED es
tates.
Alaska.
Alaskas needs have been partially
met. but there must be a complete re-
organization of the governmental sys.
TEN, as have before indicated TO you.
/ 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
to the people OF the United States at
large
Nights OF Aliens.
Not only must we treat all nations
fairly. but we must treat with Justice
and good Will all immigrants who come
here under the law Whether they are
whether they come from England or
Germany. Russia, Japan or Italy, mat
ters nothing. All we have right to
question Is the mans conduct If he
is honest and upright in his dealings
with his neighbOr and with the state
then he Is entitled to respect and good
treatment Especially do we need to
remember our duty 10 the stranger
within our gates. 1t is the sure mark
Of low civilization, low morality, to
abuse or discriminate against or in any
way humiliate such stranger who has
come here lawfully and who is con
Quoting himself properly To remem-
ber this is incumbent on every Amer
lean citizen, and it is of course pecul-
iarly incumbent on every government