The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-04


 Postal Affairs.
 I commend to the favorable eonsid- eration of tine Congress a postal say ings bank system, as recommended by the Postmaster General The primary object Is to encourage among our peo- pie economy and thrift and by the use of postal savings banks to give them an opportunity to husband their re- sources, particularly those who have not the facilities at hand for deposit ing their money in savings banks. Viewed, however from the experience of the past few weeks. 1t is evident that the advantages of such an in- stitution are still more far-reaehing. Timid depositors have withdrawn their savings for the time being from na- tional banks. trust companies, and saV- ings banks. individuals have boarded their cash and the workingmen their earnings; all of which money has been withdrawn and kept in hiding or in the safe deposit box to the detriment of prosperity. Through the agency of the postal savings banks such money would be restored to the channels of trade, to the mutual benefit of capital and labor.
 I further commend to the Congress the consideration of the Postmaster Generals recommendation for an eNten- sion of the parcel post. especially on the rural routes. There are now 3S2lo rural routes. serving nearly 15,000000 people who do not have the advantages of the inhabitants of cities in obtain ing their supplies. These recommends tions have been drawn up to beneht the farmer and the country storekeepefi oth herwise, l sh ould not favor them, TOT | believe that it is good policy Tor our government to do everything posslple to aid the small town and the country sIa I,af [ try merchant should not be crushed out.
 The fourth-class postmasters' conven- tion has passed a very strong resolution in favor of placing the fourth-elass post masters under the civil-service law. lne administration has already put Into el- feet the policy of refusing to remove any fourth-class postmasters save TOT reaspias .s,'e connected with the good of the serVicef and 1t is endeavoring so far as posslple to remove them from the domain or par tisan palitics It would be a most deslr- able thing to put the fourth-class post, masters in the classified service. u IS possible that this might be done wlthout congressional action, but, as the matter is debatable. I earnestly recommend that the Congress enact a law providing that they be included under the civil service law and put in the classified service,
 Oklahoma.
 Oklahoma has become a state. standing on a full equality with her elder sisters, and her future is assured by her great natural resources. The duty of the na- tional government to guard the personal and property rights of the Indians with in her borders remains of course un- changed.
 Alaska.
 relterate my recommendations of last rHg local self-government should be provided as simple and inexpensive as possible; it is impossible for the Congress to de- vote the necessary time to all the little details of necessary Alaskan legislation Road building and railway building should be encouraged. The governor of Alaska should be given an ample appropriation wherewth to organize force to preserve the public peace Whisky selling to the natives should be made d felony. Tho coal land laws should be changed so as to meet the peculiar needs of the territory. This should be attended to at once; for the present laws permit in- dividuals to locate large areas of the pub lie domain for speculative purposes; and cause an immense amount of trouble, fraud and litigation. There should be another judicial division established. As early as possible lighthouses and buoys should be established as aids to naviga- ton, especially in and about Prince Will liam Sound, and the survey of the coast completed. There is need of liberal ap- propriations for lighting and buoying the southern coast and improving the aids to navigation in southeastern Alaska. One of the great industries of Alaska. of Puget Sound and the Columbia, Is salmon fishing. Gradually. by reason of lack of proper laws, this industry is being rlIled. [. 1t should now be taken in charge, and effectively protected, by the United States government.
 The courage and enterprise of the clti- zens of the far northwest in their pro- iected Alaska Yukon-P Pacific exposition. to be held in 1909, should receive liberal encouragement. This exposition Is not sentimental in it's conception, but seeks to exploit the natural resources of Alaska and to promote the commerce, trade and industry of the Pacific states with their neighboring states and with our insular possessions and the nelghboring countries of the Pacific. The exposition asks no loan from the Congress but seeks appro- prlations for national exhibits and exhibits of the western dependencies of the gen eral government. The state of Washing ton and the city of Seattle have shown the characteristic western enterprise in large donations for the conduct of this exposition in which other stat tes are lend ing generous assistance.
 Hawaii.
 The III )rtunate failure of the shipping bill at the last session of the last Con gross was followed by the taking off of certain Pacific steamships. which has greatly hampered the movement of pas sengers between Hawaii and the main land. Unless the Congress is prepared by positive encourageihent to secure proper facilities in the way of shipping between Hawaii and the mainland then the coastwse shipping laws should be so far relaxed as to prevent Hawaii suffering as it is now suffer ing. l again call your attention to the capital importance from every stand point of making Pearl harbor available for the largest deep water vessels, and of suitably fortlfyIng the island.
 The Philippines.
 The Secretary of War has gone to the Philippines. On his return I shall sub init to you his report on the islands
 Porto Rico.
 I again recommend that the rights of citizenship be conferred upon the people of Porto Rico.
 Mining.
 A bureau of mines should be eYeated under the control and direction of the Secretary of the Interior, the bureau 10 have power to collect statistics and make investigations in all matters pertaining to mining and particularly to the acci- dents and dangers of the industry. If this can not now be done at least additional appropriations should be given the in- terior department to be used for the vention of fraudulent mining schemes, Dn nf ma f.f.ft.