The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1909-12-17
POINTS IN TAFT'S MESSAGE

TTeSlueHJ lat UrSt message u
Congress spreads over 'steen col
umns and is not as well writer
from a literary point of view as tn,
state papers of former President
Roosevelt. Following the usua
custom nearly the first half of thu
message is devoted to recounting tt
foreign affairs and is both to,
lengthy and uninteresting for quota
ton.
When he reaches the tariff ques
ton his treatment of that subjec
will make him few friends in tn,
west and middle west in the grea'
body of the people who did not re
ceive justice and are not able to SET
that the party pledge for downward
revision was honestly met in the
passage of the Payne hill. He ex-
presses the hope that he will be
able to handle the maximum and
minimum features without arousing
hard feeling and determinations
from the foreign countries concern
ed in the varying duties. He hopes
against hope that the present tariff
will be allowed to stand awhile and
be tested out on account of the fact
especially that revision disturbs and
renders business uncertain.
He recommends a ship subsidy
measure to build up American Mer-
chant Marine. Lines from the
Atlantic seaboard to eastern coast
of South America and also from the
west coast to China Japan and the
Philippines. The subsidy plan how
ever we do not believe will accom-
plish the purpose sought. A pro-
per method would be to allow Am
erican capital to buy ships where
they can get. them cheapest and fly
the American flag 1t has been
,hown that ships of foreign make
AN be bought for about one-half
what they can be built for in Amcri-
can ports. In addition there is the
difference in wages of American
5 ,aman and the results will not
keep the freight money in Ameri-
can hands but will only make pos
,ible another gigantic trust to which
the country must pay tribute. We
have taken the disagreeable feature
of his message first but many
paragraphs follow which have very
strong merit and it is to be hoped
that Congress will largely follow the
recommendation of the executive.
Separate statehood for Aaizona
and New Mexico is favored, the
voting on constitution and state
officials to be held separately.
Government of Alaska by a gov
ernor and executive council, but
no legislature, is advised.
Drastic laws against the impor-
tation of white slaves or trans
portatiop across national or state
lines are asked.
Reorganization Of the depart
ment of state upon more modern
lines in furtherance of foreign trade
is necessary.
Pensions for superanuated gov
ernmert employees is approved.
One of the worthy subjects pres
sed upon Congress for consideration
is the Postal Savings Banks. He
states that their chief purpose is to
teach habits of thrift among the
people. They are desired by the
people he is convinced and attic
they are opposed yet their adoption
will be successful and will in n,
way interfere with private banking.
He slaves off the proposition of d. :
laying action until the Monetary
Commission should report on II e
ground that there is no reason why
they should be united and believes
that the Carter bill which was con
sidered mt the last session was a
very strong measure covering all
the essential features for a good
start.
The next in importance the