The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-11-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.

long summer VACATION, the personnel OF
the Government, with the exception of
the Legislative Branch is back in Wash
ihgton. An extensive and positive legis-
lative and administrative program is in
prospect. The President during his
journey of several weeks, covering nearly
every state, made numerous speeches and
was not reticent as to his intentions. The
mere fact that he is the executor of the
Roosevelt Policies, fact which he has
again and again emphasized is sufficient
to indicate that there will be something
doing at the Capitol during the coming
winter.
Perhaps the most important project, al
though the least sensational, will be an
effort to remedy the Laws delay in the
Federal Courts and to invent plan for
securing prompt and economical justice
in the Federal Courts, thereby setting an
example to the State Courts.
1t is a fact acknowledged by all except
snide lawyers that the administration of
justice in this country is more dilatory
and slovenly than in any civilized coun-
try, with the exception of Russia, if in
deed Russia can be called civilized.
1t is expected that the President will
recommend legislation suppressing the
boycott. Also, bill modifying the in
Junction processes. There will be a
recommendation to Congress imposing
limitations upon the transfer oil. water
power sites to individuals and corporations
and fixing rentals and rates to be charged.
He will also recommend reforms in the
mineral land laws to the effect that coal,
iron, and other minerals shall be treated
under the royalty system, bringing the
Government perpetual revenue.
The question of ship subsidies will be
urged upon Congress with the object of
developing our Merchant Marine with of
course the Interior object of furnishing
large number of sea-seasoned Americans
to man the United States war ships in
time of war.
The adoption of an income tax amend
ment to the Constitution will be favored.
this tax to be resorted to only in time of
national stress.
The creation of Central Bank of issue
will be recommended, the object of which
will be to guard against currency string.
ency.
The President will also urge that the
interstate Commerce Commission shall
have increased powers in the regulation
of the issue of railroad securities on a
sound basis. Also, to classify freight, to
initiate complaints of discrimination ia
rates, to compel connecting railroads to
form continuous routes, and to establish
fixed rates among common carriers.
1t may be inferred from statements in
his speeches, that he will recommend the
prohibition of holding stock in competing
railroads, and probably new Court of
Appeals to hear cases carried up from the
decisions of the Interstate Commerce
Commission in fixing rates.
1t will be seen at glance that this is a
heavy and very important program, and
it is doubtless sufficient to keep Congress
busy for the remainder of Mr.. Taft's ad-
ministration.
80
The Presidents official family, as his
Cabinet is called, is back in Washington
and busy in the preparation of the several
reports for Congress. 1t is to be under
stood that there will be rigid cutting
down of expenses.
The postmaster general has announced
his intention to make the Post Office, as
far as possible. non.expensive to the
Government. He, however, cannot do
this without legislation. The Post Office
is the greatest common carrier in the
world, but in the United States the cream
of carrying profits is skinned by the ex-
press companies, leaving the Post Office
department. only the skinned milk.
The Post Office department should be in
this country, as it is in other countries,
source of profit to the Government.
There are thousands of city carriers and
rural carriers, who, if the United States
had parcels post law, like other civilized
and even semi civilized countries, could
be used without additional expense to de.
liver email packages, and thus be of in
calculabie service to the people, and
pay through the Post Office, revenue to
the Government.
The Secretary of the Navy has pro
gram of economy, which it is hoped is
not merely missionary, but he will GER
tainly have opposition from Senators Hale
of Maine. and McHenry of Louisiana,
and others in his efforts to wipe ont utter
Iv useless and exneusive NAVY Xards in