Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-01
Executive Activities In
 South and Central America

What the administration regarded as the crowning feature of year of con- structive statesmanship touching the public interest along numerous lines of action in the various executive depart ments was the spectacular South Amer. ican journey of Secretary of State Root. At Rio Janeiro he was received with marked distinction by the Brazil ian government and by the members of the pan-American congress. To all he bore testimony to the good will of the United States government and to the absence of any ambitious designs for territory or conquest. .-- .-.
 When after election the president made his three days personal inspec- tion of the great isthmian canal work he was nightly pleased with what had been done. It was the first time that the chief executive had left American territory. The new commission ap. pointed JULY 2 consisted of Messrs. Shonts. Stevens, Magoon. Hains. Endi- colt and Harrod. It came to the con- clusion that it would be advisable to employ a certain number of Chinese laborers on the canal and that it would not be practicable to apply the eight hour regulation to the canal zone On his return voyage the president visited Porto Rico.
 An executive order on SEPT. 10 ex- tended the eight hour law to all pub lie works. whether conducted in gov ernment shops or otherwise. The civil service rules also were extended to include all laborers in the government employ.
 The part played by the interstate commerce commission was extensive and varied, beginning with tEe execu- tion Of the order of congress to inves- tigate the coal carrying railroads and the great oil combine. The examina- ton of Pennsylvania railroad officials shocked the public by it's disclosure of numerous official holdings of stock in coal companies. which was open to no other construction than that of bribery to secure railroad favors. Newly ap. pointed members of the enlarged com mission were F. K. Lane. John s. liar laa and E. E. Clark When the rate law went into effect on AUG. A. for the first time in the history Of tbe country all interstate commerce was under the control of this commission.
 The entire navy was reviewed by the president at oyster Boy SEPT. 2.
 The army in the Philippines had sev- eral important engagements. the chief of which was the battle of Mount DaiO MAY 6. where 50 Moros were slain in their mountain retreat. Amer lean loss. fifteen
 When the Palma government of Cuba failei to check the rebeIIiOus eIe- ments President Roosevelt stood resp lutely against the policy of annexation. although Palna's resignation appeared to compel the establishment of a tenn porsry provisional government.
 The sensational sequel to the dis misssl of BelIamy Storer as ambassa- dor to Austria. APRIL 2. came early in December. when Storer retaEatesi by charging the president with goin- beck on his word ss to the request for the pope's promotion of Archbishop Ireland The president retorted. deny ing Storer's statement and accusing him of deceit
 Ide vss inaueurzted governor of the Philippines. APRIL 2
 Secretary HItchccck ordered the vithdrzvsl of sH pubIic coal and oil lsnds iron sale e settlement. OCT s