The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-03

/ Alaska. one of the great industries
of Alaska, as of Puget Sound and the
Columbia, is salmon fishing. Gradual
ly. by reason of lack of proper laws
this industry is being ruined; ii
should now be taken in charge, and
| effectively protected by the United
| States government
| The courage and enterprise of the
citizens of the far northwest in their
projected Alaska Yukon-Pacific expo
sition. to be held in 1909. should re-
celve liberal encouragement. This ex-
| position is not sentimental in it's con-
| ception, but seeks to exploit the ma
| tural resources of Alaska and to pro-
| mote the commerce, trade and indus
| try OF the Pacific states with their
| neighboring states and with our in
sular possessions and with the neigh
boring countries of the Pacific. The
exposition asks no loan from the
| congress but seeks appropriations for
national exhibits and exhibits of the
| western dependencies of the general
government. The state of Washing
ton and the city of Seattle have
shown the characteristic western en-
| terprise in large donations for the
conduct of this exposition in which
other states are lending generous as
| sistance.
The unfortunate failure of the ship
ping bill at the last session of the last
congress was followed by the taking
off of certain Pacific steamships,
movement of passengers between
Hawaii and the mainland. Unless the
congress is prepared by positive en-
| couragement to secure proper facili-
ties in the way Of shipping between
Hawaii and the mainland. then the
coastwise shipping laws should be so
far relaxed as to prevent Hawaii suf-
fering as it is now suffering. I again
call your attention to the capital i'm
portance from every standpoint of
Mol ~ l,o Ill e.. y,
largest deep water vessels. and Of
suitably fortifying the island.
The secretary of war has gone to
the Philippines. On his return I shall
submit to you his report on the
islands.
I again recommend that the rights
OF citizenship be conferred upon the
people of Porto Rico. A bureau of
mines should be created under the
control and direction of the secretary
of the interior; the bureau to have
power to collect statistics and make
Investigations in all matters pertaining
to mining and particularly to the ac-
cidents and dangers of the industry
If this can not now be done; at least
additional appropriations should be
given the interior department to be
used for the study of mining condi-
lions, for the prevention of fraudulent
mining schemes, for carrying on the
work of mapping the mining districts
the accidents and dangers in the in
dustry; in short. to aid in all proper
ways the development of the mining
industry
gress to provide funds for keeping up
the Hermitage, the home of Andrew
Jackson; these funds to be used
through the existing Hermitage asso-
citation for the preservation of a his
toric building which should ever be
dear to Americans.
I further recommend that a naval
monument be established in the
Vicksburg National park. This ma
tional park gives a unique opportunity
for commemorating the deeds of those
gallant men who fought on water, no
less than of those who fought on land,
in the great civil war. i
Legislation should be enacted at
present session of the congress for the
thirteenth census. The establishment
of the permanent census bureau af-
fords the opportunity for a better
census than we have ever had, but
in order to realize the full advantage
of the permanent organization, ample |
time must be given for preparation. |
The Public Health.
There is a constantly growing in |
terest in this country in the question |
of the public health. AT last the pub |
lie mind is awake to the fact that |
many diseases. notably tuberculosis |
are HdllOlldl ScOuTSeS Inc Work or |
the state and city boards of health |
should be supplemented by a con- |
stantly increasing interest on the part |
of the national government. The con-
gress has already provided a bureau |
of public health and has provided for
a hygienic laboratory. There are
other valuable laws relating to the
public health connected with the va
rfous departments. This whole branch |
of the government should be strength
1a6 ND oiI aI ~,
Governmental Commission.
1 call attention to two government
which L have appointed
and which have already done excel
lent work. The first of these has to
do with the organization Of the
scientific work of the government,
which has grown up wholly without
wisely distributed among the execu-
tive departments that much of it's
effect is lost for the lack of proper
coordination. This commissions
chief object is to introduce a planned
and orderly development and opera
ton IN the place of the ill-assorted
and often ineffective grouping and
methods of work which have pre-
vailed. This can not be done without
legislation, nor would it be feasible
problem by specific
provisions Of law. recon-
mend that the president be
given authority TO concentrate related
lines of work and reduce duplication
by executive order through transfer
and consolidation of lines of work.
The second committee, that on de-
partment methods, was instructed to
investigate and report upon the
changes needed to place the conduct
of the executive force of the govern
ment on tho most economical and
effective basis in the light of the best
modern business practice. The COM
mittee has made very satisfactory pro-