Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-06-16

activities. presenting a record of
achievements during the last four
years Of intelligent and progressive
administration unexamped in the his
tory of the government
"The agricultural department has
continued It's work in promoting the
interest of the farmers by diversifying
their products; supplying new ana
valuable seeds and plants especially
adapted to our climate and soil; Grad
icating diseases which infest and de-
stroy animal and vegetable life; de-
veloping the bect-sugar industry from
40 millions to $50 million tons, valued
at AZ million dollars; enforced the pure
food law. enhancing the value OF farm
products. conserving the health of all
our people; distributed during the
year 1907 nearly II million bulletins;
provided for over 1000 scientists to
gather information for the benefit OF
agriculture; protected our forest re-
serves from the ravagea OF fire; con-
verted the arid lands and waste places
into fertile fields, and bIossoming gar
dens: extended our producing area
for grains westward into the dry re-
gions, so that nearly so million bushels
year are being grown In regions
which have heretofore been unproduc-
tive. and In every way possible con-
serving tho natural resources OF the
country for ourselves and the gener-
ations to come after us.
'"rhe department OF commerce and
labor, organized In 1903, has been ac-
tive and potential In extending our
la hpr
has dispatched messengers to foreign
countries. particularly to South Amer
lea and the Orient. to learn the needs
and tastes OF the people with view
OF increasing our trade. The exports
which in 1903 aggregated 1882 mill
ion dollars. VIII, 1t Is estimated. In
1908 aggregate about 1000 millions,
showing an increase practically to
every country. Its bureau of statistics
has established a system OF recording
the internal commerce OF the country
on the great lakes and at important
Interior centers. It's bureau of man
ufactures has brought about more dn-
Innate relations between the manu-
facturers of the United States and
buyers abroad, and. by bringing pur-
chasers into closer touch with dealers,
aided in the extension of foreign mar
kets for our manufactures.
Tho Work of Congress.
"The congress just closed re-enacted
the law passed by the Fifty-ninth con-
gress to conform to the opinion OF the
supreme court, making common car
riers liable for accidents to their en-
ployes engaged in interstate COM
merce. 1T has enacted a law for the
further protection of the life of rail
road employees In their hazardous em-
ployment. 1t has provided compensa-
ton for laborers and mechanics who
may be injured in the service OF the
government, and making provision
for their families In the event OF their
being killed in the course of their en-
ployment 1t has enacted model
child-labor law for the District OF
Columbia. 1t has directed a thorough
investigation into the working condi-
tons of the employees Of the telegraph
and telephone companies doing inter-
state business; and, In response to the
urgent appeal from both capital and
labor. congress, before its adjourn
ment, appropriated $150,000 for an in
vestigation into the cause of mine ac-
cidents, with a view of promoting the
safety of workers in our mines.
ut is within bounds. to say that no
previous sessions Of congress have dis
played more active or intelligent in
terest in the needs OF the wage earners
than the past three sessions, nor has
there heretofore in the same length Of
time been as much. important and pro-
gressive legislation in the interests of
this class of our fellow citizens.
1.-THE work of the department of the
interior has been prosecuted under
the present administration with intelli-
gence and vigor. During the past year
over 2 million acres of coal lands have
been restored to the public domain.
During the last five years fences I'M
lawfully closing public lands have been
removed from 3,519,533 acres, and steps
are now being taken to remove from
such Enclosures 3,750,000 other acres.
During the past five years s516,501
have been collected for timber tres
passes upon the public land, and other
judgments have been collected on
claims compromised, yielding s510,6S1.
During the last five years, 1872 fraud
ulent land entries have been Cancelled,
restoring to the public domain 1.259,S40
acres. From July /, 1902, to May I,
1908, deeds for 100 acres each have
been granted to 1888 homestead set
tiers on the public domain, covering
44,053,2S0 acres.
"Since July 1. 1906, 171,047 original
homestead and desert-land entries have
been made, embracing 2s,371,400 acres,
carrying out the avowed policy of the
president to prevent the monopoly OF
our public lands and place family on
every 100 acres. 1t is estimated by
conservative engineers that the re-
clamation act will bring into cultiva-
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The Cause nf Man..