The Springfield herald., 1907-12-06

and the general public. renew my
previous recommendation that the con-
Eress favorably consider the matter OF
creating the machinery for compulsory
investigation of such Industrial contro-
versies as are of sufficient magnitude
and of sufficient concern to the people
OF the country as whole to warrant
the federal government In taking action.
The recent strike OF the telegraphers is
cited as an instance where such power
might proftably have been used.
Child Labor Evil.
The necessity of checking the evil OF
child labor is pointed out with much d.
rectness. On the relation between capital
and labor the president asserts that pub
lie opinion must be aroused in condemna-
ton OF evil practices on both sides. The
work OF the department of agriculture is
given high praise and the Importance of
the department pointed out. Cooperation
with farmers associations is urged. The
necessity OF national system of lnspec-
ton and grading of grain. to correct evils
complained of. is also pointed out.
National Water Highways.
Showing the necessity for the develop
ment of the national water highways the
message says: our great river systems
should be developed as national water
highways the Mississippi with Its trib-
utaries. standing first in Importance. and
the Columbia second. although there are
many others of Importance on the Pacific,
the Atlantic and the gulf slopes. The ma
tionnl government should undertake this
work. and 1 hope beginning will be
made In the present congress: and the
greatest OF all our rivers, the Mississippi.
should receive especial attention. From
the great lakes to the mouth of the Mis-
sssippl there should be n deep waterway,
with deep waterways leading from 1t to
the east and west. Such waterway
would practically mean the extension of
our coast line into the very heart of our
I he Of BEN
eft to our people.
las an Incident to creating the deep
waterway down the Mississippi the gov
ernment should build along its whole
lower length levees which. taken to-
gether with the control of the head
waters. will at once and forever put
complete stop to all threat of floods in
the immensely fertile Delta region. The
territory lying adjacent to the Missis-
sippi along its lower course will there
by become one of the most prosperous
and populous. as it already is one of
the most fertile. farming regions in all
the world"
IT have appointed an inland waterways
commission to study and outline a com
prehensive scheme of development along
all the lines Indicated. Later 1 shall lay
its report before the congress-"
Public Lands.
Extension of the work of irrigation and
the reclamation of waste lands is advo-
Gated, together with revision of the
present land laws in the interest of the
actual home-malter. The unlawful fenc-
ing of public lands for private grazing.
the president says. must be stopped. but
at the same time the necessity which oc-
casioned 1t must be provided for. Several
plans are recommended.
Conservatism of the mineral wealth of
the country. and the necessity for the
preservation OF the forests to prevent
IN her
action by the congress Is urged.
Would Repeal Duty ON Wood Pulp.
The president declares in favor of the
repeal of the duty on wood pulp, at the
same time declaring that 1t should II
possible be accompanied by an agreement
with Canada that there should be no ex-
port duty on Canadian pulp wood.
That the government should own and
lease mineral and oil lands is the BELIEF
of the president.
Work on the Panama canal is declared
to be proceeding in satisfactory man.
ner. and figures given to substantiate the
statement.
For Postal Savings Banks.
On the questions of postal savings
banks and the establishment of parcels
post system the message says:
II commend to the favorable considera-
tion of the congress u postal savings
bank system as recommended by the
postmaster general.
II further commend to the congress the
consideration of the postmaster generals
Recommendation for an extension of the
parcel post, especially on the rural
routes. These recommendations have
been drawn up to benefit the farmer and
the country storekeeper: otherwise
should not favor them, for l believe that
it is good policy for our government to do
everything possible to aid the small town
and the country district. 1t Is desirable
that the country merchant should not be
crushed out"
Some form of local self-government
for Alaska is asked of the congress.
and that the rights of citizenship be
conferred upon the people of Porto
Rico.
Campaign Contributions.
The president says: 1T is well to
provide that corporations shall not con-
tribute to presidential or national cam
paigns and Furthermore to provide for
the publication of both contributions
and expenditures. The need for col
lecting large campaign funds would
vanish II congress provided an appro-
priation for the proper and legitimate
expenses of each of the great national
parties. an appropriation ample enough
to meet the necessity for thorough or
ganizaton and machinery, which re-
quires large expenditure of money.
Then the stipulation should be made
that no party receiving campaign funds
from the treasury should accept more
than a fixed amount from any indi-
vidual subscriber or donor; and the
necessary publicity for receipts and ex.
pendtures could without difficulty be
provided"
The extension of the Ocean Mail act
of 1891 is recommended aid to
American shipping. subsidy for
Pacific steamers, the president thinks
is necessary.
That the army in the past has been
niggardly provided for and should be
more generously dealt with is dwelt
upon at length together with recon-
mendations for future legislation
Yearly additions to the navy are
recommended and in the presidents
judgment the country should build four
battleships this year.
Reason for Pacific Cruise.
Concerning the dispatch of the fleet
to the Pacific. the president believes 1t
should be shifted between the two
oceans every year or two as a means of
teaching officers and men how to handle
the vessels in a time of war.
Although the results of The Hague
conference are declared not to have
been up to expectations, a degree of
good is said to have resulted. notably n
provision by which the powers taking
part in the conference agreed not to
have recourse to armed force for the
collection of debts owed to their citi-
IHr NY,-s.