Weekly journal-miner., 1909-12-08

from agricultural settlement minera1,- coal and phosphate lands and sites: belonging to the government border ing on streams suitable for the utili- zation of water power.
 The Light House Board.
 Transfer of control over the light houses to a suitable civilian bureau is recommended, by the president, be- cause of frequent friction due to. the absence of any central independ- ent authority.
 White Slavery.
 White slavery is discussed, the view being that there is urgent nee essity for additional legislation and greater executive activity to sup press it.
 ''I believe it to be constitutional, 'F the president says, S'to forbid under penalty, the transportation of per sons for purposes of prostitution across national and state lines; and by appropriating a fund of $50,000 to be used by the secretary of commerce and labor for the employment of special inspectors, it will be possible to bring those responsible for this trade to indictment and conviction under a federal law"
 Bureau of Health.
 The president says that while the medical departments of the army and navy must be kept separate, there seems no reason why all the other bureaus and offices in the general
 A. d. the public health should not be united in a bureau to be called the "bureau of public health."
 Centennial of Negro Freedom.
 The year 1915 will mark the fftieth anniversary of the issuance of the emancipation proclamation granting freedom to the negroes, says the president. It seems fitting that this event should be properly celebrated. Already movement has been start ed by prominent negroes encouraged by prominent white people and the press. The south especially is mani festing its interest in this movement
 It is suggested that proper form of celebration would be a exposition to show the progress the negroes have made. not only during their period of freedom, but also from the time they date their coming to this country.
 heartily endorse this proposal and request that the executive be authorized to appoint a preliminary commission of not more than seven persons to consider carefully whether or not it is wise to hold such an ex- position. and if so, to outline a plan for the enterprise. I further reeom- mend that such preliminary eommis- sion serve without salary, except as to their actual expenses, and that an appropriation be made to meet such expenses.
 Conclusion.
 I have thus, in message compress sed as much as the subjects permit, referred to many of the legislative needs of the country, with the ex- captions already noted. Speaking generally, the country is in a high state of prosperity; there is every reason to believe that we are on the eve of a substantial business expan- sion, and we have just garnered a harvest unexampled in the market value of our agricultural products. The high prices which such products bring mean great prosperity for the farming community, but on the other hand they mean a very considerable increased burden upon those classes in the community whose yearly com pensatiOn does not expand with the improvement in business and the gen eral prosperity. Various reasons are given for the high prices. The pro portionate increase in the output of gold, which today is the chief medium of exchange and is in some a measure of value, furn- ishes a substantial explanation of at least paft of the increase in prices The increase in population and the more expensive mode of living of the people which have not been accom- panied by a proportionate increase in acreage production, may furnish further reason. It is well to note that the increase in the cost of living is not confined to this country but prevails the world over, and that those who would charge increases in prices to the existing protective tar if must meet the fact that the rise n prices has taken place almost wholly in those products of the fac .Ory and farm in respect to which here has been either no increase in he tariff, or in many instances, q -ery considerable reduction.
 WILLIAM H. TAFT.
 The White House, Dee. ', 1909.