The Holly chieftain., 1908-12-11


Immediate action by the present
session of congress for the improve
ment of our inland waterways the
president declares to be imperative
He recommends the creation OF per-
manept commission authorized 10 CO.
ordinate the work of all the govern
ment departments relating to water
ways, and to frame and supervise the
execution of a comprehensive plan.
Postal Savings Banks.
Urging the immediate institution OF
postal savings banks. the message
says:
again renew my recommendation
for postal savings banks. for deposit
ing savings with the security OF the
government behind them. The object
is to encourage thrift and economy in
the wage-earner and person OF mod
crate means 1t II believed that in the
aggregate vast sums of money would be
brought into circulation through the IN
strumentality Of the postal savings
banks.
Parcel Post.
The much-discussed advisability OF
the establishment of parcel post
service is thus dealt with:
In my last annual message 1 COM
mended the postmaster-g generals
recommendation for an extension of the
parcel post on the rural routes. The
Establishment of a local parcel post on
rsraI routes would be to the mutual
benefit of the farmer and the country
storekeepcr, and 1t Is desirable that the
routes, serving more than 100000
people. should be utilized to the fullest
practicable extent.
Education.
Dealing with the important subject
of education. the president says:
With the limited l.,eans hitherto pro-
vided, the bureau of ducation has
rendered efficient service. but the con-
gress has neglected to adequately sup
ply the bureau with means to meet the
educational growth Of the country
I earnestly recommend that this un-
fortunate state of affairs as regards
the national educational ONCE be RENEE
died by adequate appropriations. This
recommendation Is urged by the repre-
sentatives Of our common schools and
great state universities and the leading
educators. who all unite in requesting
favorable consideration and action by
the congress upon this subject.
The president points out the neces-
sity of better organization of the vari-
GUS bureaus responsible for the public
health, and urges the placing of all
soldiers homes under the jurisdiction
of the war department.
Statehood.
On the question of statehood the
president says:
advocate the immediate admission of
New Mexico and Arizona as states. This
should be done at the present session of
the congress- The people of the two ter
ritories have made 1t evident by their
votes that they win not come in as one
state. The only alternative is to admit
them as two and trust that this will be
done without delay.
An international agreement con-
e>rning interstate fisheries is at pres
ent being attempted, and in this con-
nection the message continues:
call the attention of the congress to
the importance of the problem of the
fisheries In the interstate waters. On the
Great Lakes we are now, under the very
wise treaty of April II of this year, en-
deavoring to come to an international
agreement for the preservation and sat
isfactory use of the fisheries of these wa
ters which can not otherwise be achieved
Lake Erie, for example. has the richest
fresh water fisheries in the world; but it
is now controlled by the statutes of two
nations. four states, and one province,
and this province by two different ordi-
nances in different counties. All these
political divisions work at cross pur-
poses, and in no case can they achieve
protection to the fisheries. on the one
hand. and Justice to the localities and in
dividuals on the other.
Country's Foreign Policy.
This nations foreign policy is based
on the theory that right must be done
between nations precisely as between
individuals and In our actions for the
last ten years we have in this matter
proven our faith by our deeds. We
have behaved. and are behaving. to-
wards other nations. as in private life
an honorable man would behave to-
wards his fellows.
I take this opportunity publicly to
state my appreciation of the way in
which in Japan. in Australia. in New
zealand, and In all the states of South
America. the battle fleet has been re-
ceived on its practice voyage around
the world. The American government
can not too strongly express its appre-
citation of the abounding and generous
hospitality shown our ships in every
port they visited.
Our Southern Neiahbors.
The commercial and material prog
ress of the 20 Latin-American republics
Is worthy of the careful attention Of
the congress. The International Bureau
of the American Republics is doing a
useful work in making these nations
and their resources better known to
us. and in acquainting them not only
with us as people and with our pur-
poses towards them. but with what we
have to exchange for their goods.
Panama Canal Being Rushed.
The work on the Panama canal Is be-
ing done with a speed, eniciency and
entire devotion to duty, which make 1t
a model for all work Of the kind Tho