The Republican journal., 1909-12-16
The Presidents Message.
A Summary Of its Salient Points.

The Presidents Message.
A Summary Of its Salient Points.
A warning to Congress not to cut an
preparations as the estimates are what
they should be; opposition to the propos-
ed immediate congressional investigation
of the sugar import scandals in the New
York customs house, and likewise to any
further revision of the tariff at present:
absence Of any specific recommendation
regarding the crisis in Nicaragua and
actual recommendation of legislation to
forbid the issuance of Judicial injunctions
in labor without notice in labor contro-
versies and for the establishment of a
system Of postal savings banks, NAV be
considered the most striking features of
the first annual message of President
Taft to Congress. The Nicaraguan
question, conservation of the nations
natural resources, needed amendments
to the antitrust and interstate com
merce acts and the contemplated reyis-
ion of the Federal statutes governing
the organization of the armed forces Of
the nation in time of war are all resery-
ed for possible treatment later in special
messages. Mr.. Taft reports the country
to be Gin high state Of prosperity"
He expresses entire confidence that the
duty imposed upon the Executive of en-
forcing the maximum rates of the new
tariff law against nations unduly dis
eliminating against the United States
will not provoke tariff war, as he is to
decide when the rates are ''unduly
harsh, p" and he favors no further tariff
tinkering at least until the new tariff
commission shall have completed its
work Of gathering information as to the
relative cost of producing dutiable arti-
cles in this country and abroad. This
task he expects will occupy two or three
years. Projects recommended by the
President in addition to those mentioned
above, include: A ship subsidy to encour-
age American shipping. Publicity of
political contributions in elections of
members of Congress. Civil pensions.
A higher rate of postage on periodicals
and magazines. A fund of $50, 900 to
aid in suppressing the white Slave
trade; A commission to evolve plan to
expedite legal procedure and mitigate
the claws delays Construction Of an
artificial island and fertilization in the
entrance to Chesapeake Bay, two battle
ships and one repair ship for the navy
and the establishment of an extensive
naval base at Pearl Island, Hawaii. The
need of younger officers for the navy is
again stated. A national bureau of health.
Statehood for New Mexico and Arizona
and an appointive governor and executive
council for Alaska. Civil control of the
lighthouse board and separation of the
National Astronomical Observatory from
naval control. Celebration in 1913 of the
semi-centennial of Negro emancipation,
and reimbursement of the depositors of
the defunct Freedman's Trust & Savings
Company. Consolidation of the bureaus
of manufactures and statistics in the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor. APP
preparation for remodelling the District
of Columbia Jail. Calling attention to
the crisis in Central American affairs
brought about by the summary execu-
ton in Nicaragua of two Americans, the
President announces that this Govern
ment has terminated diplomatic rela-
tons with the Zelayan administration in
Nicaragua and intends to take such
further steps as may be found most
consistent with its dignity, its duty to
American interests and its moral obliga-
ton to Central America and to civiliZa-
tion.' In opposing any immediate in
vestigation of the New York custom
house scandal, the President takes the
ground that such investigation might,
by giving Immunity and otherwise, prove
an embarrassment in securing conviction
of the guilty parties A proposal sub
mitted by the Secretary of the Treasury
that the executive departments deficit
for the current fiscal year-estimated at
S73, 075, 620-be met by the issuance of
Panama bonds, authorized by Congress,
Ic kyyf Io
plains that in order to avoid deficit for
the ensuing fiscal year ending June 80,
1911, estimates have been cut to the
bone and instead of deficit there will be
surplus of $35, 931 ZOO, excluding pay
ments on the Panama Canal, which are
expected to be taken care of by bonds.
The President records with pleasure the
satisfactory arrangement made for the
arbitration of the important North
American fisheries issue with Canada
and the successful prosecution of the
work of the commissions adjusting other
boundary issues and the lake fisheries.
He urges an international conference to
devise measures for the protection of
fur seals. He is hopeful Of happy ad-
justment of the Congo question, and eX-
presses his desire to afford larger
measure of protection to the little Negro
State of Liberia Satisfaction is express
sed with the declaration by Japan and
Russia in favor of the "open door, :" and
appropriations are asked for the expen-
ses of the Pan-American Congress to be
held in Buenos Ayres, and for participa-
ton in the Belgian Exposition, both
scheduled for next year. The President
says that our policy in Latin America is
to assist in all legitimate enterprises.
The Monroe Doctrine will not be used to
protect irresponsible governments from
just obligations. Americas policy of the
open door in the Far East is still main
tanned. That is why we insisted on be-
ing party to the Chinese Railroad loan.
In regard to Manchuria it is stated that
America has no grounds for protest to
Japan there being no mining monopoly
as claimed. A reorganization Of the State
Department into divisions of Far East,
Near East and Latin America is announc-
ed, and Congress is asked to enact the
plan into law.
~Ae-0DIA