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

federal license. He also urges the need
of a modification of the antitrust laws
so that a distinction may be made be-
tween combinations for a criminal pur-
pose and combinations benefcent in
their aims. Specifically recommending
legislation TO this end, he would have
all combinations 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 it
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 violators OF the
law with something of his old vigor
but there is a notable absence of vio-
lence in his terms and none of the
epithets that marked such references
in the days before his Christening.
x x X
revenue of $3.50. 0O0. 900 in six years is
an eminently satisfactory showing in
national finance. The average excess
of revenue for the six years is $3l, 000,-
600 annually. and for the last fiscal
year ii was about sSO,OOO,OOO To the
people who pay the taxes such an ex-
cess seems only an incentive to un-
necessary extravaganza, a needless
drain or the resources of the nation
and ample reason for a 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 to impose an export
duty on it. Presumably this is the re-
suit or the newspaper publishers effort
TO prevent extortion at the hand of the
news print paper trust An income tax
is rgain proposed. although the presi-
dent admits that the supreme court
has n ade the successful imposition of
such a tax difficult because of constitu-
ti0nal 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
ritorles recommended. Incidentally
the president still believes it possible
to restrict child labor through the in
ters-ate commerce powers by excluding
from transportation the product Of
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 a brief suggestion that
be permitted to work coal
ments TO the law which would permit
such operations without the restric-
lions OF fraud the old regulations in
vte. 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 deliV-
cry service, are the two chief recon-
menda lions as to postal affairs. Plans
for adequate ocean mail service are
urged and comparisons in 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
message as whole, and indicating the
executive displeasure with the attitude
Of the new state toward this admins
uation-
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 discourse on the
smallness of the army. the message