The Elbert County tribune., 1909-12-09

thar th's power was reposrd In the prcsi-
dent with the hope that the maximum du-
ties niisnt never be applied in any case.
put sia, the power TO apply them would
enable the president and the state depart
ment through friendly negotiation to se-
cure the elimination from the laws and
the practice under them of any foreign
county, OF that which is unduly discrim-
inatory' No one is seeking a tariff war
or condition in which the spirit OF re-
tal.ation shall be aroused
Tne new tarifr law enables me to ap-
point tarin board to assist me In con-
necton with the department OF state in
the administration OF the minimum and
maximum clause of the act and also to
assist officers OF the government in the
administration OF the entire law. An ex-
animation of the law and an understand
ing of the nature of the facts which
should be considered In discharg-
ing the functions imposed upon the execu-
tive show that have the power to direct
the tarin board to make a comprehensive
glossary and encyclopedia of the terms
used and articles embraced In the tariff
law. and TO secure Information as to the
cost OF production of such goods in this
country and the cost of their production
IN Foreign countries have therefore ap-
pointed tarin board consisting OF three
members and have directed them to per-
form all the duties above described This
work will perhaps take two or three
years, and ask from congress a continu-
ing annual appropriation equal to that al
ready made for its prosecution. l believe
that the work of this board will be of
prime utility and Importance whenever
congress shall deem II wise again to re-
adjust the customs duties. II the facts
secured by the tariff board are OF such a
character as to show generally that the
rates OF duties imposed by the present
tariff law are excessive under the prin-
~.ples OF protection as described in the
platform of the successful party at the
late election, / shall not hesitate to in
vite the attention of congress to this fact
and to the necessity for action predicated
thereon. Nothing. however. haits bust
ness and interferes with the course OF
prosperity so much tho threatened re-
vision OF the tariff, and until the fncts are
at hand. after careful and deliberate in
vestigation. upon which such revision can
properly be undertaken. II seems to me
unwise to attempt 1t. The amount OF mis-
Information that creeps into arguments
pro and con In respect to tarin rates is
such as to require the kind OF inyestga-
tfon that I have directed the tariff board
to make. investigation undertaken by
IL wholly without respect to the effect
which the facts may have in calling for a
readJustment OF the rates OF duty
War Department.
In the interest of immediate economy
and because OF the prospect OF deficit.
mates of the war department for the
| coming fiscal year, which brings the to-
| tai estimates down to an amount forty
| five millions less than the corresponding
estimates for last year This could only
| be accomplished by cutting of new
| projects and suspending for the period
| of one year all progress In military mat
| ters. For the same reason have direct
/ ed that the army shall not be recruited
| UP to Its present authorized strength.
% mas l.a. H..
temporary-to last until our revenues are
\ in better condition and until the whole
i question of the cxpedicncy OF adopting
| definite military policy can be submitted
| to congress, for 1 am sure that the inter-
ests of the military establishment are Sc
riously In need OF careful consideration by
| congress. The laws regulating the organ
| ization OF our armed forces in the event
4 of war need to be revised In order that
| the organization can be modified so as
| to produce force which would be more
consistently apportoned throughout its
numerous branches. To explain the cir.
| cumstances upon which this opinion Ii
| based would necessitate lengthy discus
sion. and postpone 1t until the first con
| yenfcnt opportunity shall arise to send tt
| congress special message upon this sub
| ject.
OF the changes recommended BY
the secretary of war, the president
especially urges the passage OF bill
that will permit the elimination of the
less efficient officers. He concurs ir
the opinion of the military and nava
joint board in favor of making an ex
tensive naval base at Pearl Harbor
near Honolulu. and not in the Philip
pines.
The Navy.
The return OF the battleship fleet from
its voyage around the world. in more ef
| ficient condition than when II started. wa.
| noteworthy event of interest alike Il
| our citizens and the naval authorities o.
the world. Besides the beneficial and far
| reaching effect on our personal and dip
iomatic relations in the countries
| which the feet visited. the marked sue
cess of the ships in steaming around tn,
world in all weathers schedule TIM
has increased respect for our navy. ant
has added to our national prestige.
Early in the coming session a compre
hensive plan for the reorganization of tn
officers OF all corps OF the navy will b.
| presented to congress. and l hope II will
meet with action suited to its urgency.
Owing to the necessity for economy II
| expenditures. I have directed the curtail
ment of recommendations for naval ap
preparations so that they are thirty-eigh
millions less than the corresponding es
| Inmates of last year. and the request 70
| new naval construction is limited to tw,
first-class battleships and one repair yes
| sell
Mr.. Taft urges upon congress tina
the naval observatory be dedicated t.
science under control of some emf
nent astronomer.
Expedition in Legal Procedure.
The deplorabie delays in the admins
| tration Of civil and criminal law have re
| ceived the attention of committees OF thu
| American Bar association and OF man,
state bar associations as well as the con
sidered thought of Judges and Jurists. II
| my Judgment a change In judicial pro
| cedure. with view TO reducing its ex
| pense to private litlgants In civil casel