davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1909-02-28
Noticeable Improvements in
The Treasury Department
BY GEORGE B. CoRTELYOU.
Secretary of the Treasury.

The past seven years OF national adj
nlnistration have witnessed marked de-
Nelopments in the Treasury Department.
There has been a notable expansion in
the national bank system, the stock OF
sold coin and bullion in the Treasury
has more than doubled the national
debt has been materially reduced, and
interest charges lowered, the per capita
circulation has increased s6.57. while
during this period the governmental re-
Ceipts exceeded the expenditures by
more than S50,000 900, and this in spite OF
the large expenditures for the Panama
canal and other liberal improvement
projects
The country successfully passed
through panic with the gratifying rec
ord OF not a dollar being lost 10 de-
positors in national banks.
There has been observed in the Treas
UTy Department the general policy Of
bringing this institution into closer re-
lation5hip with the business interests
af the country, irrespective OF locality.
Wherever the activities of the depart
unent could properly be made 70 touch
for its betterment they have been ap-
piled. In this manner, the distribution
OF Government deposits was so arrang-
ed as 10 enable every section OF the
loans or public funds.
In the sale OF Panama canal bonds
and certificates OF Indebtedness care
was exercised 10 see that bidders in
small and remote cities were given
every opportunity 70 obtain a fair pro
portion or the securities. so that their
distribution might be general through
out the country.
Panic of 1907.
In the panic of 1907 the Secretary OF
the Treasury exercised 10 the fullest
extent the powers conferred upon him
by law. first. by transferring TO the
banks, for q brief period, practically
the entire available cash balance in the
Treasury; later by issuing Panama
Canal bonds and , per cent Ger
81 the money deposited was lost. and al
the national banks which closed their
doors as . result OF the panic have
since reopened or their depositOTs have
been paid in lUll.
Many changes have been made in the
customs service, among them those
by which relief from vexatioUs require
ments has been extended TO importers
and incoming passengers. These changes
have been found 70 be Of benefit TO rho
public and without detriment TO the
revenues.
The attention o. Congress has been
called TO the necessity for the adoption
81 a system for the regulation OF the
national budget. 10 the. end that TIE
large sums Of money gathered from the
taxpayers ma be sdisbuTsed in a. man
ner 10 obtain the greatest possible pub
lie benefit.
There has been an extensive reorga ri
zation in the work Of national bank
Of the laws for the protection Of de-
positors. Appointments 10 the position
Of bank examiner are not made unit
after thorough investigation Of th'
The Washington times., 1909-02-28

In 1897 the appropriations for the De-
parment Of Agriculture were a little
less than S2,50O.O00. For the fiscal year
1903 the agricultural appropriation bill
carries S11, 672, 1860, not including some
s., 900 900 for the meat inspection service.
and about $4,000 for printinG-ln al,
something over $15,0OO,O00- On July ],
1897, some 400 persons were employed
in the department. while today there
are more than four times as many
over 1000.
The work OF the department has de-
veloped along two great lines. The dc
veIopment OF scientific agriculture
throughout the United States was the
task originally set the department. and
that task has been ZealOuSly worked at.
OF late years some great lines OF what
may De called police work have been
added, on, two conspicuous instances
being the enforcement of the meat IN
spection law and the execution Of the
pure food law.
In the development or agriculture in
the United States two great objects,
among others, have been kept steadily
in view. One TO improve the yield and
quality Of the great standard crops,
and the other TO foster the growth, IN
the United States, OF such products as
We import from foreign countries but
can just as well produce al home.
Seed Selection.
In promoting the FIRST Of these objects,
scientists Of the department nave de-
voted much effort TO Improvement by
seed selection, by cross DreedjnG, and by
developing types or pants resistant TO
various insect pests and pathological
diseases. Cotton. that resist wilt; cot
tons with long and fine staple; are cE-
smples OF this kind Of work. The de
yelopnent of the beet sugar industry is
a conspiclous example OF the second
line of work
The domestic animals OF the United
States have had the most careful and
uuremftting attention Two great out
hreaks of foot-and-mOuth disease have
occurred, and both have been success
fully handled. The eradication OF the
cattle tick Of the South, 4 work OF the
most momentOus Importance 10 the az
The Washington times., 1909-02-28
Abuses of the Land LaqUs
Run Dol1n and Corrected
By JAMES R. GARFIELD,
Secretary of the Interior.

more than four times 70 total Or no.
100000 acres, and were efficiently pro
tected and administered.
Their use by the people Or the West
was increased many fold. and their
management and administration was
transferred from the Interior 10 tie Az
Ticultursl Department. and placed under
5he immediate supervision OF the Forest
Service.
Coal and Oil Lands
Coal and oil lands in the possession
OF the Government were withdrawn
temporarily from disposal. and Congress
was urged 10 make provision for the
permanent control Of the reserve of fuel
by the people Of the United States.
Illegal fences, which had sprung up
ali over the West in defiance OF law
have been largely removed. many OF
the men who built them punished, and
the lands inclosed thereby exceeding
5.OOO.GJJ acres restored 10 the public do
main.
Suits have been recommended or other
action taken looking 20 the removal of
such inclosu- from nearly 10000
acres more.
There are now under investigation and
pending in the court proceeding in
Solving upward OF H0a0o9,Go0 worth Of
property.
Great deposits Or phate rock, the
most indispensable ingredients for restor-
The Washington times., 1909-02-28

One Of the FIRST things TO engage the
attention OF the President in the In
terror Department was the unsatisfac-
tory operation Of the public land laws,
their !nada ptibiiity TO existing condl-
tiOns. and the facility with which they
lent themselves 10 INSCRIPTIONS per
sons who desired TO loot the public do
main.
A report from \ special agent in
Arizona led 10 the development Of the
sO-called land fraud cases which NJ
timatcly reached into almost every pub
tic land. State and Territory, in which
one Senator and one Representative in
Congress were convicted and numerous
other persons high in official and civil
life were indicted and convicted. and
many thousands OF acres Of public land
recovered.
A thorough study OF the public land
laws and Of their operation was made
by the Public Land Commission, and a
cleaT-cut plan for the changes -neces-
zarv TO adapt them to existing cOndi-
tons was devised and published. Many
~ the more important changes adNO-
Gated have already taken place
IN this Administra ton the lieu and
IA " under which great areas OF worth
less land. belonging notably 10 the
trapscOnt!nantdl railroads We're eX-
changed foI the best timber lands Of
The West. was repealed
Ths national forests were increased
The Washington times., 1909-02-28

standard of efficiency Work has been
so distributed as 20 secure the hlghesJ
working efficiency from each branch or
the service, and modern business
methods for accounting for moneys IN
handling the malls, and in 1lln8 cases
and papers have been adopted Inc
field force has been well equipped and
thoroughly organized, being composed
or carefully selected special agents or
legal, technical. and business expert
enCe.
The Administrative policy for the past
seven years has been 10 preserve the
public lands to the end that as many
citizens as possible may obtain hoTness
farms and mines thereon
In matters of general police the IN
dian service has been taken up as q
human rather than a race question
Whether as to education or as 20
labor the IA mily has been made the GniT
with which the Indian office mas
worked.
The geological survey has conducted
many Inquiries of great value to the
Industrial interests. including an Inves-
tigation to determine the value or build
ing material and various kinds of fue!-
An inquiry has also been made with a
view 10 Iessenirg the T-equence OF mine
accidents.
The Washington times., 1909-02-28

quallhcations OF applicants. without re-
gard TO political considerations.
Country's Finances.
During the period between June 50,
1901, and February /, 1909. there was
received into the Treasury s.. 4O7. 4O5. 30.
and the disbursements were s. 354, 574. TO1
leaving the receipts in excess go so. 5OS.
The lnterest-bearing debt was reduced
Dy SiS,633,o0O leaving Il at the close OF
the period 1919. So, $50, while the annual
lnterest-charge was lowered from go =
GS9.155.40 TO 81, 275, 4027
The stock Of gold coin and bullion in
the Treasury was S494, s48. 297. july l.
1901, and it Is now 81 .O43. 0S4. I63.
On July 10, 1901. there were 4I65 ma
tionSl banks in the country, with q
capital Of s645, 1909. and surplus with
undivided profits of s41s. 80 SIS. and hsv-
ing individual deposits OF 8, p4I, s3S, 42s
Seven years later, the number of banks
was 6,S53, with capital OF sS21. 4s3 IN
and surplus and undivided profits OF
$50, 1856 s9. and individual deposits or
During the seven years I9OI-oS there
were issued in United States notes.
and gold and silver certificates, the
amount Of 81 1877 .e4T 600: and there HaS
redeemed Of the same and Urea surv
notes OF 1890, the sum Of $3.50, 90, $50. At
the end OF the period there was out
standing 1855, 1855.
The expansion OF public business dur
ing this seVen-year period has imposed
additional duties on the various
branches or the Treasury. The Bureau
| or Engraving and Printing had thrust
upon & last year extra burdens by rea-
national bank act, involving among
other things. the prompt production OF
| several hundred millions OF emergency
/ currency.
Secret Service Work.
The Secret Service recently effected
| the seizure Of formidable outfits foI
the manufacture OF spurious moneys
while it has prosecuted great numbers
! OF offenders. It has also been instru-
mental in other directions in ferreting
! out criminal transactions
! The office Of the Supervising Arckitec,
! has been more fully equipped BY reason
/ OF legislation urged by the department
! increasingly large mass Of work put
upon it
| The period Witnessed a VAST extension
! Of the Public Health and Marine Hos
pital Service While supervising meas
uIes for preventing the Introduction ol
| contagiou diseases into the country, j
| Is also working 10 stay their raVaKe.
where they have gotten 2 foothold r
has also recently given to the world Z
| valuable treatise on Milk and its re
lation to the public health"
I, The department mas been successful
IN securing legislation for the better or
eanizatio OF the Revenue Cutter Sel.
vice, making that service more desIr
able and facilitating IT'S work.
! The Life wing Service has ais
been benefited by seasonable legislation
| especially IN the matter Of Increase
| compensation for the crews and IN I'M
proved facilities for life-saving work.
The Washington times., 1909-02-28
Marked Development Has Been Shogun
In the Country's Postal SerOioe
By GEORGE Won L. MEYER,
Postmaster General.

the postal laws and the rural free de-
livery service has been expanded SIX
fold.
A thorough investigation Of tHe postal
sa wings bank question has Oeen made
The experience Of other countries and
exhaustive statistics OF the operations
of foreign postal savings banks have
been cited to show the universal success
Of the plan abroad. Strong recommended
tons were made in the last two annual
reports OF ia department, With The re-
suit that the Republican party III Its
platform declared for the establishment
of postal savings banks The bill To &C
cOmplish this which has the support Of
the department was Unanimously re
ported favOrably TO the Senate by the
Committee on Postofices and Post
Roads and has been under discussion
since December Ia last
Never before have the statutes for the
suppression of fraudulent schemes and
lotteries been so thoroughly enforced;
the number OF fraud orders issued dur
lug the period from September II, 1901.
- February IL 1909. being 1863, or 201
more than the total Of such orders
issued in the previous twenty-nine years
of the existence OF this authority.
Schemes Knocked Out
Thousands OF lotteries operating I'M
der the guise Of guessing contests, turf
gambling schemes. and enterprises offer
ing something for nothing under the
endless chain method OF investment,
have been destroyed by orders excluding
them from the use of the mails
In September. 1901, there were about
SOC rural routes IN operation, covering
1900 miles OF road and serving A pOpu-
lation of about 100000. There are in
operation today 1850 rural routes. COW
ering I,OOo,5 500 miles OF road and serving
a population OF about 17,SO0.000 people
Since September, 1901. all employees Of
the rural delivery service, including the
Ietter-carriers have been placed under
the civil service rules by executive
order.
During the fiscal year 1903 and 1904 spe-
ciaI Investigations were made Of certain
divisions Of the department resulting in
forty-four indictments, involving thirty
one persons. ten Of whom were con-
nected with the postal service, causing
the separation from the service by reSig-
nation or removal OF seventeen officials
The Roosevelt Administration has been
marked by the following developments
In the Postoffce Department:
The adoption o. the policy Of retain
ing efficient postT1asters at Presidential
as well as fourth class offices and the eX-
tension Of the civil service rules TO gov
The Washington times., 1909-02-28
Influence of President Roosevelt
ShoqUs Marked Effect in the Macy
By TRUMAN H. NEWBERRY,
Secretary of the Navy.

this ship has been tie inca - Of de
termininE rhe actual cost OF changes
n similar battleshipC and has demon
sUated TO the various shipbuilding COM
pdnief the capacity OF our Yards and
the resources of the Government II
has not only stimulated competition FOT
Government business. but such navy
yard enterprise acts a 3 A powerful in
fiUenCe which tends TO keep prices for
naval construction low and 30 hasten
contractors In the completion Of ships
now building
During the Roosevelt Administration
the Government has enlarged the pow
der factory, ana a plant for the con
stTuCtiOn OF tOTpedOs has been eStaO-
lished. The powder factory occupies a.
area OF over thirty acres and is equip
ped with a laboratory which conducts
All tests OF powder obtained from pow
der manufacturers in addition 70 its
own product The torpedo factory at
the present time is apable Of an out
put Of fifty torpedOs a year.
The World Cruise
without doubt. the mountaineering
cruise OF the battleship feet will be
recorded IN history as the greatest sig
nal achievement Of the American Navy
during the Roosevelt Administration It
was Of inesrimable value in increasing
the prestige and influences Of the
United states a. a world power and
was a most convincing object lesson in
the strength and resOurcef Ilnass IF
America The benefits ace: lIng to the
navy from this cruise, in the W ay Of
developing efficiency and improving dis
cipline. cannot be OVeTestln ated- The
effect upon the diplomatic relations OF
the country was also widespread and
highly beneficial
During the latter part Of fhe Roose-
Welt Administration important changes
have been made in the administrative
plans Of the department and the navy
wards Under authority granted by the
President the bureau system was or
ganiled SO that the Bureau OF Constr &c
fion assumed certain manufacturing du-
ties previously belonging 10 the Bureau
Of Ordnance, Equipment, and Steam
Encineerinc The same plan contenl-
plates the ultimate adjustment Of the
Bureau OF Steam Engineering and
Yards and Docks and the consolidation
Of the Bureau OF Equipment with the
bureau Of Navigation. thereby greatly
. IMPLYING and concentrating the de
tailed work OF administering the navy
Similar consultations have been effect
ed at the navy yards.
4 further step in making more eff
frctiye the system OF naval ddminIstra-
! ton the membership OF the general
board was enlarged so as 10 he more
| representative of the service Likewise
{; the board 81 construction WAS reOrEan-
lid 10 secure more complete TcpTesen-
tatior Of line and staff. These plans
were Endorsed bv = conference Of civil
I ians and avail experts, convened by the
President.
The Washington times., 1909-02-28
Country Has Taken Place
High Among World Powers
Grave Questions That Have Arisen During Past Eight
Years Have Been Settled Peacefully and Success
fully by Administration Heads.

the horrors OF war but greater facilities
for the operations of the court.
a far larger step in the direction of n
reasona bic and pea settlement OF
disputes between nations was made
when. upon American suggestion. a
Central American court OF obligatory
arbitration was established Time VIII
strengthen and make effective the de-
cTees OF this tribunal; and its success
full operation unqueStiOnabiy will ad-
vance the world toward the great de-
sire Of ciViliza tiOn-peace.
Country's Trade
The trade or the United States since
1901 has increased by $500 10000 and a
tremendous investment OF American cap
itsl in foreign lands has also occurred
In the same period The protection Of
these interests has neceSsitated the
watClful care OF diplomats and consulS.
President Roosevelt has realized the in
jury and injustice Of confding this duty
TO men appointed merely because of
political influence and he has applied a
system Of civil service which mas intro
duced bright young Americans Into the
two corps and brought about more
aggressive and satisfactory assertion Of
our rights. His policy has been to re-
move from American trade domestic re
6trictions which had hampered its de-
velopment and by commercial negotta-
lions 10 foster.
Speak softly and carry a big stick
has been the keynote of President
Roosevelt's Administration With all
ratiOnS he has dealt fairly, Justly. and
equltably. The battleship feet. by his
orders, has girdled the world with our
friendship
Today. with the President about 10
retire. the United States may we'll and
proudly hold that there exists in full
force the biblical Injunction, ION earth
peace, Sood will toward men"
The Washington times., 1909-02-28
Wilson Aims to Improve Crops
And Introduce Ne1D Products
By JAMES WILSON,
Secretary of Agriculture.

1iculture OF that section. goes steadily
forward. The production OF hne car
rage horses has been fostered and Ia
nous Morgan blood is now being cared
for and steps taken TO preserve this valu-
able strain. Hog cholera, after twelve
ears OF incessant labor, Is now control
able by the use of a serum devised IN
the depa rtment. Long steps IN advance
have been taken in the control Of tuber-
cUlosIs in cattle, and In the improve
ment OF the milk supply to cities.
For All Sections.
Certain activities important 10 the in
dustry OF great regions of the country
have received attention. For the rice
growers Of Louisiana and Texas an inn
proved rice was imported from Japan,
10 the great benefit OF the industry. For
the arid northwest crops that grow in
very light rainfall have been brought
from Russia and Siberia. The possibili-
ties OF alfalfa growing In the East and
South have been carefully investigated
and various other leGumes have been
u idely tested for regional use. I'm
proVement Of the quality OF wrapper
tobacco has been accomplished, and the
possibility Of growing hiGh-grade filler
tobacco in several parts Of the United
States from Cuban seed has been DEM
onstrated.
The care Of forest reserves, now cali
GO National Forests, was entrusted to
the department in 1905. About les. 900 900
acres OF forest reserves are now ad-
ministered by the forest service. with
the object OF not only saving from
wasteful lurn boring this part OF the ma
tional resources, but Of making them,
as is entirely possible, a source Of rev
enue-
The execution OF the Pure Food Iaw
is being actively inforced. Imported
goods not allowed 20 be sold in the
country Of origin are excluded from
tine United States InSistence upon
WlOlesomenPSs Of food products nd
upon truthful labelling has wrought
great Improvement in the character OF
| foods offered TO the people BY manu-
factureTs. and II is certain that reputa-
tIe and honest manuIa Cturers welcome
tie operations OF the law as enabling
| them 10 offer honest goods 10 success
| ful competition with those that are
adulteratad or nisbranded.
The Washington times., 1909-02-28
Real Value of Achievements
Remains to Be Appreciated
Panama Canal, Freeing of Cuba, and Intervention in
Worldwide Matters Will Be Given Relative Po-
stons by Posterity.

postofice car space resulting IN annual
saving Of approximately S5500D.
Extension Of forty-f1ve miles OF pneu-
matte tubes in cities under contract
New specifications for postal car con-
structiOn and introduction OF steel cars
Readjustment of salaries and equal
ization Of hours OF duty Of postal en-
plOyes.
Collection from and delivery OF mail
into boxes along star routes
Prohibition OF transportation Of in
toxicadng liquors in connection with
mail transportation by star route car
riers and mail messengers.
Extension OF parcel post service To
tventy-three countries and the parcel
post rate OF postage to all countries
made uniform.
Establishment OF 2-ceut-an-ounce letter
rate 10 Great Britain and to Germany
Extension Of sea post service.
Substantial Improvement in Office and
business methods throughout the entire
bureau
The Washington times., 1909-02-28
CABINET MEMBERS REVIEW WORK ACCOMPLISHED
DURING PRESIDENT ROOSEXELTS ADMINISTRATION

inC the fertility OF WORKOUT lands,
which were about 10 pass into the hands
Of foreign corporations were Withdrawn
from entry and saved to the people Of
the United States
Many thousands OF acres. largely un-
allotted lands in Indian reservations.
have been thrown open for disposition
and entry under the homestead law, and
homes thereby furnished many thou
sands OF people.
National Monuments.
In view Of the Importance Of preserv-
ing objects Of interest to science upon
the public land, fifteen national monu
ments have been created including such
wonders as the prehistoric dwelling of
the cliff dwellers, in Arizona and New
Mexico.
To protect the homes and breeding
places OF native and migratory birds.
nineteen reservations Of land unfit for
agricultural purposes have been made.
The first great bill passed under the
Roosevelt Administration was the re
ClamatiOn sCt-devotIns the proceeds Of
the sale of public lands 20 the cOnstruc-
ton Of works for the irrigation Of arid
land of the West
Twenty-Five great projects have been
completed, or nearly so. and the result
Will ne the creation from our deserts Of
fertile land capable Of supporting mil
lions Of people. The sum Of SO. 900. coo
has been expended in irrigation works:
1000 miles of main canal have been
eXcsVated, and a million acres Of desert
land have been reclaimed, and thou
sands of families have been established
IN homes of their own. This act and
its execution are among the great
achievements OF the Administration
The indirect benefit TO all State Or pTi-
vate irrigation projects has been ire
mendOuS. as the Government work has
fixed a standard fo- safe, stable con-
struction and proved that the reclams-
ton Of arid lands may be made finan-
Cially profitable.
Department MOdernized.
In this Administration the general
work Of the Depa rtment has been
reOrganized and placed upon a modern