Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1907-12-07

were from accessory WOFhb, 1neSe re-
suits were achieved in the rainy sea-
son with rainfall in August of 11.S9
Inches and in September Of ll.65 inches.
Finally in October, the record was
again eclpsed. the total excavation be-
ing 1,S6S,729 cubic yards a truly ex-
traordinary record especially in view
OF the heavy rainfall, which was Ill
inches, In fact, experience during the
last two rainy seasons demonstrates
that the rains are a less serious OBJ
stacle to progress than has hitherto
been supposed.
Work on the locks and dams at
Gatun. which began actively in March
last has advanced so far that it is
thought that masonry work on the
locks can be begun within 15 months.
Last winter bids were requested and
received for doing the work of canal
construction by contract. None of them
was found to be satisfactory and all
were rejected. 1t Is the unanimous
opinion Of the present commission that
the work can be done better. more
cheaply and more quickly by the gov
crnment than by private contractors.
Fully so per cent. of the entire plant
needed for construction has been pur-
shops have been erected and equipped
for making all needed repairs to the
plant; many thousands OF employees
have been secured; an effective organi-
zation has been perfected; a recruiting
system is In operation which Is capable
Of furnishing more labor than can be
used HdvantageOusly; employees are
well sheltered and well fed; salaries
paid are satisfactory. and the work is
not only going forward smoothly but
it Is producing results far in advance
OF the most sanRuine anticipations.
Under these favorable conditions a
change in the method Of prosecuting
the work would be unwise and unjustl-
fable. for II would inevitably disorgan-
ize existing conditions, check progress,
and increase the cost and lengthen the
time OF completing the canal.
President Recommends
Postal Savings Banks.
II commend to the favorable consid-
Grafton of the congress a postal saw
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 depositing
their money in savings banks. Viewed
however. from the experience of the
past few weeks it is evident that the
advantages OF such an institution are
still more far-reaching, Timid depos-
itors have withdrawn their savings for
the time being from national banks; in
dViduals have boarded their cash and
the workingmen their earnings; all
Of which money has been withdrawn
and kept in hiding or in the safe de-
posit box to the detriment of pros
perity. Through the agency Of the pos
tai savings banks such money would be
restored to the channels of trade, tC
the mutual benefit of capital and labor
Il further commend to the congress
the consideration of the postmaster
generals recommendation for an ex-
tension of the parcel post, especially or
the rural routes. There are now 49,.
2l5 rural routes, serving nearly $4,000,
600 people who do not have the adj
vantages of the inhabitants of cities Ii
obtaining their supplies. These recon-
mendatlOns have been drawn up tC
benefit the farmer and the country
storekeeper; otherwise, | should not
favor them. for | believe that it Is gooC
policy for our government to do every.
thing possible to aid the small towT
and the country district. 1t is desirable
that the country merchant should moi
be crushed out,
The fourth-class postmasters' con.
'entiol has passed n very strong reso
luton in favor of placing the fourth
class postmasters under the civil-serv'
ice law. The administration has al
ready put into effect the policy of re-
fusing TO remove any fourth-class post
masters save for reasons connected
with the good of the service; and IL il
endeavoring 80 far as possible to re
move them from the domain of partisan
politics. 1t would be a most desirable
thing to put the fourth-class postmas
ters in the classified service"
He renews his recommendation o
last year in regard to Alaska: calls at
tention to the admission of Oklahoma
as state; urges the Importance of pro
yiding shipping relief for Hawaii; ask
for citizenship for Porto Rieans, an,
promises submission OF secretar,
Taft's report on Philippines when tina
official returns.
He asks for the creation of a bureau
of mines; recommends the providing o
funds for preserving The Hermitage
the home of Andrew Jackson; and tn,
erection of naval monument a
Vicksburg,