The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-12-04


either by national Incorporation or by
federal license. He also urges the need
OF modification OF the antitrust laws
so that a distinction may be made be-
tween combinations for a criminal pur-
pose and combinations benef1cent in
legislation to this end, he would have
all combina tions subject to government
approval in advance of their execution
and have them open to inspection at
all times by government agencies. On
this latter phase of his message
there will be no disagreement, since 1t
has been the subject of discussion and
agreement by the interstate commerce
commission and by students of the
subject for years. In his comment the
president repeats his determination to
pursue offenders and vfolators of the
law with something of his old vigor,
but there is notable absence of vio-
lence in his terms and none of the
epithets that marked such references
in the days before his Christening.
In the presidents opinion a surplus
revenue of $50 OOO. 900 in six years is
an eminently satisfactory showing in
national finance. The average excess
of revenue for the six years is sS1, OO0,-
900 annually. and for the last fiscal
year il was about $4,000 600 To the
people who pay the taxes such an ex-
cess seems only an incentive to I'M
necessary extravaganza, needless
drain on the resources of the nation,
and ample reason for revision of the
tariff which enables the government
TO pile up a useless surplus.
Considering the tariff. the message
says. in effect. that the subject should
not be taken up now or during presi-
dental election year. One recon-
mendauon only is made affecting
tariffs, and that is in favor of the re-
peal of duties on wood. 10 be accom-
PANEL if possible. by an agreement
with Canada not 10 impose an export
duty on 1t. Presumably this is the re-
suit OF the newspaper publishers effort
10 prevent eXtortion at the hand of the
news print paper trust. An income tax
is Igain proposed, although the presi-
dent admits that the supreme court
has sde the successful imposition OF
such a tax difficult because of constitu-
tiOnal objections. He also urges the
imposition of an inheritance tax on a
graduated scale. and cites the French
and German laws as examples.
Under the general heading of labor
questions. the employers liability act
is commended and its extension urged
subject to the decision of the case
now before the supreme court; compul-
sorry investigation of industrial troubles
is advocated, and child labor laws in
the District of Columbia and the ter
ritories recommended. Incidentally
the president still believes it possible
to restrict child labor through the in
ters-ate commerce powers by excluding
such labor. The fallacy of such a con-
struction of the law, the enormous ex-
tension of federal power which its ap-
plication would involve, present to him
no valid reason for objection.
The reclamation service. the inland
waterways project and correlated sub
jects are treated in the style made IA
miliar by previous discourses and mes
sages. The discussion OF the public
lands brings again the recommendation
that the ranges of the west be placed
under federal supervision and grazing
be controlled by lease or permit. A
very important change in the laws is
suggested in brief suggestion that
corpora tons be permitted to work coal
deposits on a large scale by amend
menJs to the law which would permit
such operations without the restric-
lions OF fraud the old regulations in
vite. The president believes the gov
eminent should retain title TO all pub
lie coal and oil lands, granting leases
for operation subject TO certain condi-
tions-an idea proposed in a former
message. Progress on the Panama ca
nal is declared to be satisfactory under
the new arrangement as to administra-
ton.
Postal savings banks and the parcels
post, particularly for the rural deIiv-
cry service, are the two chief recon-
mendatio as to postal affairs Plans
for adequate ocean mail service are
urged and comparisons I'm this regard
instituted with foreign countries
The admission Of Oklahoma is an
in exactly seven lines OF type
"a hrevity in marked contrast with the
as a whole. and indicating the
executive displeasure with the attitude
of The new state toward this admins
tration.
Improvements in the system of gov
eminent for Alaska are suggested, and
brief reference is made to the colonies,
Hawaii. Porto Rico and the Philippines.
Further information as to the Philip
pines is promised on the arrival of
Secretary Taft. and citizenship is re-
for the Porto Ricans.
Apart from the usual departmental
routine reports, and a discourse on the
smallness of the army, the message
only ono mara ipaportact enc