Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-12-09

vestigation, upon which such revision
can properly be undertaken, it seems
to me unwise to attempt it."
In the interest of immediate econ
omy and because of the prospect of a
deficit, l have required reduction IN
] the estimates of the war department,
which brings the total estimates
| down to forty-fve millions less than
the corresponding estimates for last
| year. This could only be accom-
plished by cutting off new projects
and suspending for the period of one
year all progress in military matters.
| For the same reason, l have directed
| that the army shall not be recruited
up to its present authorized strength
| These measures can hardly be more
than temporary-to last until our reye-
nues are in better condition and until
the whole question of the expediency
of adopting a definite military policy
can be submitted to congress-" The
president concurs in the judgment
of the military and naval joint board
in favor of making an extensive naval
base at Pearl harbor, near Honolulu,
and not in the Philippines.
Navy Reorganization.
EARLY in the coming session. he
says, "a comprehensive plan for the
reorganization of the officers of all
corps of the navy will be presented to
congress, and l hope it will meet with
action suited to its urgency" The
appointment of an eminent astrono-
mer as head of the naval observatory
is recommended.
Costly Litigation.
President Taft says that in his
judgment, a change in judicial pro-
cedure, with a view to reducing its
expense TO private litigants in civil
cases and facilitating the dispatch of
business and final decision in both
civil and criminal cases, constitutes
the greatest need in our American in
situations. 4 do not doubt for one
moment that much of the lawless
violence and cruelty exhibited in
lynchings is directly due to the I'M
certainties and injustice growing out
of the delays in trials, judgments, and
the executions thereof by our courts"
A commission to consider reforms In
the judiciary is recommended.
Injunctions.
The president recommended that
appropriate legislation relating to the
issuance of injunctions be adopted.
Previous notice and a reasonable OPP
portunity to be heard on behalf of
the parties to be enjoined are urged
by the president, with certain excep-
tons.
President Taft refers to antitrust
and interstate commerce laws which
he says will be discussed in a special
message.
Postal Deficit, Postal Banks.
The president says that the actual
loss growing out of the transmission
of second class mail matter, which
includes not only newspapers but
magazines and miscellaneous periodi-
Gals, at 1 cent a pound, amounts to
about $63,000,000 a year. Congress
may we'll consider whether radical
steps should not be taken to reduce
| the deficit in the pOstOffice depart
ment A higher rate of postage it is
suggested, might be imposed upon
magazines and periodicals..
"The second subject worthy of men
| ton in the postoffice department is
! the necessity and praCticability of es-
tablishing postal savings banks the
message continues. President Taft
says he is convinced the people de-
| sire such banks, and that they will be
productive of the utmost good. "They
will furnish a satisfactory substitute,
| based on sound principle and actuai
successful trial in nearly all the
countries of the world, for the system
of government guaranty of deposits
now being adopted in several western
states, which, with Difference to those
who advocate it, seems to me to have
in it the seeds of decentralization to
conservative banking and certain fl
nancial disaster"
And a Ship Subsidy!
Il earnestly recommend TO con-
gress the consideration and passage
of a ship subsidy bill, looking to the
establishment of lines between our
Atlantic seabOard and the eastern
coast of South America, as we'll as
lines from the west coast of the
United States to South America,
China, Japan, and the Philippines.
"The profits on foreign mails, me
says, "are perhaps a sufficient meas
ure of the expenditures which might
first be tentatively applied as a sub
sidy."
Same Old Territories.
In recommending separate statehood
for New Mexico and Arizona, Presl-
dent Taft urges elaboration in the
selection of members of the constitu-
tional convention of each territory,
and earnestly advises that after the
adoption of a constitution, it be sub
mitted to the people for approval at
an election.
Alaska.
with respect to Alaska, recon-
mend legislation which shall provide
| for the appointment by the president
of a governor and also of an execu-
| tive council, the members of which
shall during their term of office re-