The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-08

pointed in the previous administration
for the purpose of suggesting changes
in the interest of economy and efficiency,
and is requested by the secretary
The White Slave Trade.
the Investigations made in the bureau OF
immigration and other sources of infor-
nation lead to the view that there Is
urgent necessity for additional legislation
and greater executive activity to sup
press the recruiting of the ranks of pros
ttutes from the streams OF immigration
into this country-an evil which. for want
of a better name has been called 1.-THE
White Slave Trade" I believe it to be
constitutional to forbid, under penalty.
the transportation of persons for purposes
of prostitution across national and state
lines; and by appropriating fund of
$4,000 to be used by the Secretary of
Commerce and Labor for the employment
of special inspectors 1t will be possible
to bring those responsible for this trade
to indictment and conviction under
federal law.
Bureau of Health.
For a very considerable period a move
ment has been gathering strength, espe-
profession, in favor of concentration
of the Instruments of the national gov
eminent which have to do with the pro-
motion of public health In the nature
Of things. the medical department of the
army and the medical department of the
navy must be kept separate. But there
seems to be no reason why all the other
bureaus and offices in the general gov
eminent which have to do with the pub
lie health or subjects akin thereto should
not be united in bureau to be called the
Bureau of Public Health" This would
necessitate the transfer of the Marine
Hospital service to such a bureau. am
aware that there is a wide field in respect
to the public health. committed to the
states in which the federal government
cannot exercise jurisdiction, but We have
seen In the agricultural department the
expansion into widest usefulness OF de-
partment giving attention to agriculture
when that subject Is plainly one over
which the states properly exercise direct
jurisdiction The opportunities offered for
useful research and the spread OF useful
information in regard to the cultivation
of the soil and the breeding OF stock and
the solution of many OF the intricate
problems In progressive agriculture have
demonstrated the wisdom of establishing
that department Similar reasons, of
equal force, can be given for the estab-
lishment of bureau of health that shall
not only exercise the police jurisdiction
of the federal Experiment respecting
quarantine but which shall also anord
an opportunity for investigation and re-
search by competent experts into ques-
tons of health affecting the whole coun-
try, or important sections thereof, ques-
tions which, in the absence OF federal
governmental work are not likely to be
promptly solved.
Civil Service Commission.
The work of the United States civil
service commission has been performed to
the general satisfaction of the executive
officers with whom the commission has
been brought into official communication.
The volume Of that work and its variety
and extent have under new laws. such as
the census act, and new executive or
ders. greatly increased. The activities of
the commission required by the statutes
have reached to every portion or the
public domain.
The accommodations of the commission
are most inadequate for its needs. l call
your attention to its request for Increase
in those accommodations as Will appear
from the annual report for this year.
Political Contributions
7 urgently recommend to Congress that
a law be passed requiring that candidates
in elections of members of the House of
Representatives and committees In charge
of their candidacy and campaign file In
a proper offios Of the United States gov
eminent a statement of the contributions
received and of the expenditures incurred
in the campaign for such elections. and
that similar legislation be enacted in re-
spect to all other elections which are
constitutionally within the control of Con-
gress.
Freedman's Savings and Trust Com
pany.
Recommendations have been made by
NV predecessors that Congress appro-
pirate a sufficient sum to pay the bal
ance-about 3S per cent-of the
amounts due depositors In the Freed
mans Savings and Trust company. I
renew this recommendation, and ad-
wise also that a proper limitation be
prescribed fixing a period within which
the claims may be presented. that as
signed claims be not recognized, and
that q limit be imposed on the amount
Of fees collectible for services In pre-
senting such claims.
SennicentennlaI Of Negro Freedom.
The year 1918 will mark the fiftieth
anniversary of the Issuance of the
emancipation proclamatio granting
freedom to the negroes. 1t seems fit
ting that this event should be properly
celebrated. Already a movement has
been started By prominent negroes en-
couraged by prominent white people
and the press. The south especially is
manifesting it's interest in this move
ment.
It y suggested that proper form Of