Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1909-12-14

&tt3ttt+&tt3+ta+&'
burden of military pensions, which It ha.
always been the policy of our government
10 assume; but / am strongly convinced
mat no other practical solution of The
difficulties presented by the superannua
tion or civil servants can be found thar
tnat OF system of civil pensions
Inc business and expenditures of ths
government have expanded enornousl,
since the Spanish war. but as the rev.
enues nave increased in nearly the same
proportion as the expenditures until re
Gently, the attention of the public and
OF those responsible for the government
mas not been fastened upon the question
of reducing the cost of aduinistra tioo
We cannot, in view of the advancing prices
OF living, hope to save money by a re-
duction in the standard of salaries paid
Indeed, ii any change is made in that
regard, an increase rather than a de-
means OF economy will be in reducing
the number OF employees and in obtainina
a greater average of efficiency from those
retained in the service.
Frauds in the Customs Service.
| regret to refer to the fact of the dis.
covery of extensive frauds in the colIec-
ton OF the customs revenue at New Yor,
city, IN which number of the subordi-
nate employees In the weighing and Other
IN which the beneficiaries were the Amer
lean Sugar Refining Company and others
The frauds consisted in the payment OF
duty on underweights of sugar. The gov
eminent has recovered from the American
Sugar Refining Company all that II Is
SHOWN to have been defrauded of The
sum was received in full of the amount
que. which might have been recovered by
eivil suit against the beneficiary of fraud,
put there was an express reservation in
the contract of settlement by which the
setliement should not interfere with, or
prevent the criminal prosecution of every
same.
Criminal prosecutions are now proceed
ing against number of the government
olncers, 1t would seem to me that an
investigation of the frauds by Congress
At present. pending the probing by the
lIeasury department and the department
OF Justice as proposed, might by giving
immunity and otherwise prove an EN-
in securing conviction of the
guilty parties.
The New Tariff Law.
Two features of the new tariff act call
Tor special reference. BY virtue of the
cause known as the Maximum and Min
mum clause. 1t is the duty of the exec
utlVe to consider the laws and practices
Oh other countries with reference to the i'm
portatlon into those countries of the prod
ucts and merchandise of the United
States, and If the executive finds such laws
ana practices not to be unduly discrim-
inatory against the United States the
minimum duties provided in the bill are
10 go into force. Unless the President
makes such a finding. then the maximum
duties provided in the BILL that is. an in
crease of % per cent ad valorem over the
minimum duties, are to be in force Fear
has been expressed that this power con-
terred and duly imposed ON the executive
is likely to lead to a tariff war. beg to
D. fhl hoy
result need be anticipated.
me discretion granted to the Executive
oy the terms "unduly discriminatory is
wide. In order that the maximum duty
snail be charged against the imports from
a country it is necessary that he shall
lind on the part of that country not only
in its laws or the practice
under them against the trade of the Unit
ed States, but that the determinations
found shall be undue; that is, without
good and fair reason. l conceive that this
power was repoSed in the President with
he hope that the maximum duties might
never be applied in any case but that
he power to apply them would enable the
President and the state department
through friendly negotiation to secure the
elimination from the laws and the prac-
ice under them of any foreign country
Of that which is unduly discriminatory.
No one is seeking tariff war or a con-
iition in which the spirit of retaliation
shall be aroused.
The new tariff law enables me to an
point a tariff board to assist me in con-
lection with the department of state in
he administration of the minimum and
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
ng of the nature of the facts which
hould be considered in discharging the
unctions imposed upon the executive show
hat / nave mower fha a,-;Ge
'oard to make comprehensive glossary
md encyclopedia of the terms used and
-rticles embraced in the tariff law. and
o secure information as to the cost of
of such goods in this country
nd the cost of their production in foreign
Countries. | have therefore appointed a
arim board consisting of three members
nd have directed them to perform all the
luties above described.
War and Navy Departments.
In the interest of immediate economy
nd because of the prospect of a deficit /
ave required a reduction in the estimates
f the war department for the coming ifs
al year, which brings the total esti-
mates down to an amount $40. 900 600 less
han the corresponding estimates for Ia ST
ear. The secretary of war calls attan-
ion to a number of needed changes in the
rmy, in all of which / concur. The coast
efenses of the United States proper are
all that could be desired. and
n some respects ihey are rather more
laborate than under present conditions
re needed to stop an enemy's fleet from
ntering the haroors defended The milf
airy and naval joint board have unani-
1ously agreed that it would be unwise
0 make the large expenditures which at
ne time were contemplated in the estab-
shment of a naval base and station in
he Philippine islands, and have expressed
heir Judgment in which | fully concur
4 favor of making an extensive naval
ase at Pearl harbor. near Honolulu, and
OF in the Philippines.
This does not dispense with the neces-
ity for the comparatively small appro-
riations required to finish the proper
cast defenses in the Philippines now un-
er construction on the island of Correg-
Tor and elsewhere or to complete a suit
BILE repair station and coaling supply sta
ion at Olongapo. where is the floating
ock Dewey" / hope that this recon-
lent>ltion of the joint board Will end the |
iseussion as to the comparative merits of
Ianila bay and Olongapo as naval sta
ons, and will lead to prompt measures
pr the proper equipment and defense of |
earl harbor.
The return of the battleship fleet from
S voyage around the world. in more eff |
lent condition than when it started was |
noteworthy event of interest alike to |
ur citizens and the naval authorities of |
he world. Besides the beneficial and far |
eaching effect on our personal and diplo- |
,atiC Tet3tlonS IN the countries winch the |
eet visited. the marked success of the |
lips in steaming around the world in all |
Gathers on schedule time has increased |
aspect for our navy and has added to /
lr national prestige. Our enlisted per- |
)nnel recruited from all sections OF the /
Duntry is young and energetic and rep |
sentative of the national spirit. Owing |
, the necessity for economy in expendi- /
Tres. | have directed the curtaiiment of /
Communications for naval appropriations
} that they are thirty-eight millions less
ian the corresponding estimates of last
ear, and the request for new naval con-
ruetion is limited TO two first-ciass bat |
e ships and one repair vessel.
The use of a navy is for military pur-
oses. and there has been found need in /
lie department of a military branch deal
& directly with the military use of the |
set. The secretary of the navy has also
1t the lack Of responsible advisers to aid
IN in reaching conclusions and deciding
nportant matters between coordinate
ranches of the department. To secure
.ese results he has inaugurated a terlta-
We plan involving certain changes in the
ganization of the navy department, in
uding the navy yards all az which have
zen found by the attorney general to be
accordance with law. l have approved
e execution of the plan proposed because
the greater efficiency and economy !;
>omiSts.
The Department of Justice.
sT