Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-12-09

forest service or the agricultural de-
partment, instead Of leaving them, as
they are now, under the interior de-
partment and policed by the army.
Pure Food.
The pure food legislation has already
worked benefit difficult to overesti-
mate.
Secret Service.
Last year an amendment was incor-
pOrated In the measure providing for
the secret service which provided that
there should be no detail from the Sc
cret service and no transfer therefrom.
1t is not too much to say that this
amendment has been of benefit only,
and could be Of benefit only, to the
criminal classes. The amendment in
question was of benefit to no one ex-
cepting TO criminals, and 1t seriously
hampers the government In the detec-
ton or crime and the securing of JUS
tice. 1t prevents the promotion of en-
ployees in the secret service, and this
further discourages good effort. In its
present form the restriction operates
only to the advantage Of the criminal.
" the wrongdoer
The chief argument in favor of the
provision was that the congressman
did not themselves wish to be investi-
gated by secret service men. Very lit
tie Of such investigation has been done
In the past, but it Is true that the work
OF the secret service agents was partly
responsible for the Indictment and con-
yiction of senator and a congressman
for land frauds In Oregon | do not
believe that 1t Is In the public interest
to protect criminals in any branch Of
the public service, and exactly as we
have again and again during the past
seven years prosecuted and convicted
such criminals who were in the execu-
tive branch Of the government so in
my belief we should be given ample
means to prosecute them if found In
the legislative branch. But If this is
not considered desirable special ex-
ception could be made in the law pro.
hibiting the use of the secret service
force in investigating members of the
congress. 1t would be far better to dc
this than to do what actually was done
and strive to prevent or at least to
hamper effective action against GRIM
inals by the executive branch Of the
government.
Postal Savings Banks.
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 Garner and person Of mod
crate means. 1t is believed that in the
aggregate vast sums of money would
be brought into circulation through
the instrumentality Of the postal saw
ings banks. Postal savings banks are
now in operation In practically all the
great civilized countries with the ex-
ception Of the United States.
Parcel Post
In my last annual message / COM
mended the postmaster generals rec. /,
for an extension of the |
parcel post on the rural routes. The |
of a local parcel post
on rural routes would be to the mu
tual benefit of the farmer and the
country storekeeper, and it is desirable |
that the routes, serving more than 49,
100000 people, should be utilized to the
fullest practicable extent
Education.
The share that the national govern.
nent should take In the broad work of
education has not received the atten.
ion and the care 1t rightly deserves.
l earnestly recommend that this I'M
fortunate state of affairs as regards
he national educational office be rem.
.died by adequate appropriations.
Census.
l strongly urge that the request of
he director of the census In connec-
ion with the decennial work so soon
o be begun be complied with and that
he appointments to the census force
'e placed under the civil service law,
the geographical requirements
Is requested by the director Of the
ensus. The supervisors and enumer-
tors should not be appointed under
he civil service law for the reasons
,iven by the director.
Public Health.
The dangers to public health from
God adulteration and from many 9TH
r sources, such as the menace to the
hysical, mental and moral develop
nent Of children from child labor,
hould be met and overcome. This ma
lon cannot afford to lag behind In the
worldwide battle now being waged
y all civilized people with the micro
copic foes Of mankind. The first leg
,lative step to be taken is that for the
Of the proper bureaus
nto one Of the existing departments.
Statehood.
l advocate the immediate admission
I New Mexico and Arizona as states.
his should be done at the present ses-
lon Of the congress- The people Of
ne two territories have made 1t evil
emit by their votes that they will not
ONE In as one state. The only alter
alive Is to admit them as two, and
ruSt that this will ha dopo without |