Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-12-07

a. AOW 40 pOnDAbbo CNNAaAhSAAS WAtA ALL
peratiVe governmental necessity.
Practice Rc0aomy.
I'm the present estimates the needs
Of the departments and u the gov
eminent have been cut "a the quick.
50 to speak, and aHy assumption on
tn epart OF the congress, - often
made in times past, that me estis
mates have been prepared with the
expectation that they may BE reduc-
ed. will result in seriously hamper.
ing proper administration.
Favors Old Age Pcnsion.
Most Of our great industrial or
ganlzations and many OF the we'll
conducted railways of this country
are coming TO the conclusion that a
system Of pensions for old employees,
and the substitution thereof OF young
or and more energetic servants. pro-
notes both economy and efficiency of
administration.
II am aware that there is q strong
feeling In both houses OF congress
and possibly in the country against
the establishment OF civil pensions
and that this has naturally grown
out OF the heavy burden of military
pensions. which It has always been
the policy Of our government to as
sumo; but am strongly convinced
that no other practical solution of the
difficulty presented by the superan-
nuation Of civil servants can be found
than that Of a system OF civil PEN
slons.
Revenue Sugar Frauds.
II regret to refer 70 the fact OF the
discovery of extensive frauds In the
collection Of the customs revenue at
New York City, In which a number
of the subordinate employees In the
weighing department were directly
concerned. and In which the benefc-
iaries were the American Sugar Re-
flning company and others.
The frauds consisted in the pay
ments of duty on vnderweishts OF
sugar. The government has recov-
cred from the American Sugar ReGlns
ing company all that IT Il shown to
have been defFauded OF. The sum
was received In fun OF the amount
due. which might have been recov-
cred by civil suit against the benefe-
larry OF the fraud. but there was an
express reservation In the contract OF
settlement by which the settlement
should not interfere with or prevent
the criminal prosecution OF everyone
who was found to be subject to the
same.
Prosecute Oflcials.
Criminal prosecutions are now
proceeding against q number Of the
government officers. The treasury
department and the department OF
Justice are exerting every EFFORT to
discover all the wrongdoers. includ-
Ing the oficers and employees Of the
companies who have been prlvy to
the frauds, It would seem to me
that an Investigation OF the frauds
BY the congress- at the present. pend
ing the probing by the treasury de.
partment and the department. OF jus
tice, as proposed. might by giving i'm
munity and otherwise. prove an en-
barrassment In securing conviction OF
the guilty parties.
Approves Tariff Features.
Two features OF the new tariR
act call for special reference, by vir-
tue Of the clause known as the mar
imum and minimum clause, II Is the
duty OF the executive TO consider the
laws and practices OF other conn
tries with reference 70 the importa-
ton into those countries or the prod
uets and merchandise OF the Unltsd
States and II the executive ilnds such
laws and practices not to be unduly
discriminatory against the United
States. the minimum duties provided
In the bill are TO so into effect. I'M
less the president makes such a and
ing. then the minimum duties pro-
vtded IN the bill. that ls. an increase
LOT 9S per cent ad valorem over the
minimum duties. are TO be- In force.
Fear has been expressed that this
power conferred and duty imposed on
the executive is likely to lead to q
tariR war. beg to express the hope
and belief that no such result need
be anticipated.
''Ths new tariR law enables me to
appoint tariff board to assist me In
connection with the department OF
state. in the administration OF the
minimum and maximum clause OF tie
act and also 70 assist eaesrs Of the