The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-10-08
ppFSJDENT FAVORS PHIL
PPINE METHOD FOR
MONTH.
In Seattle Speech He Urges Sub
sidy for Ships, Declares Amer
lean Vessels Handicapped by
Lack of Federal Help-Would
Give S8,OOO,OOO as Starter.

largest audience ne mas raced since MS
.rin began-a crowd which overfowed
tho natural amphitheatre of the A.-Y.-
p Exposition with its seating capacity
Of nearly O,O0O-President Taft an
rounced that he would urge in his
coming message to congress the enact
mant of ship subsidy law.
Mr. Taft declared that the country
was ready to try such an experiment,
and that something must be done to
,ufId ND an American merchant ma
rine.
His utterances on this subject were
received with great acclaim.
When the president turned to Alas
Ia however, and declared that he was
onposed to granting territorial form
Of government to that far-off posses
sion. the statement was received in
silence.
Alaska Ideas Cheered.
As the president proceeded, how
ever and outlined his policy for the
upbuilding of Alaska, of recommending
government aid in the construction of
railroads, of the plan for establishing
a local government by a commission
of five or more members appointed by
the president and cooperating with
the governor, and when he told of the
great possibilities that lie in Alaska,
he instantly caught the favor of his
hearers and was loudly cheered.
Later in the day, when he was adj
mitted to membership in the Arctic
Brotherhood, an International Organi-
cation made up of Canadians and Am
orleans interested in the development
of Alaska the president announced
that he intended to visit Alaska next
summer and to go as far into the in
terror as time would permit, in order
that he might come into contact with
the people and see for hims elf what
might best be done for their welfare.
Country Not Ready.
The president frankly told the mem.
bers of the Brotherhood that he did
not believe Alaska at this time is
ready for self-government.
4 am as much in favor of popular
government as anybody" declared the
president, but l am in favor of popu-
lar government only when the condi-
tons exist under which popular gov
eminent may be a success and work
for the benefit of the people and the
gOyernment-at-large. When there are
limitations, growing out of various cir
cumstances, we must take other means
until popular government becomes pos
slble, and then, of course, it is the best
government in the world"
Urges Subsidy of $8,ooo,0o0.
In announcing his position with re-
gard to ship subsidy, President Taft
declared that with the $6,00O,000 to
SS,oOO,OOO earned by the government
On foreign mail service each year
satisfactory system of subsidy could
De lnaugurated. AS to the argument
mat ship subsidy would be an ap-
preparation of public moneys to private
companies, the president said that a
subsidy was, in principle and effect,
huch the same as the protective tar
III system, much the same as govern
ment assistance in the development
and Improvement of rivers and har-
DORIS, and the reclamation of arid lands
through government irrigation pro-
jects.
Not Ready for War.
war should come at this time,
resident Taft declared, the United
states would not have any vessels to
V"tFF coal to its fleets. And it would
oe doubtful, under the neutrality laws,
ne ADDED if the United States would
pe able to buy any foreign vessels in
The emergency.
The president had an interesting and
ouSy day, which ended with banquet
III the Washington building at the Elk.
poSIIlon grounds. Early in the morn
lug he motored out to the exposition
slounds and his first function of the
I'd! was to review a parade of nations,
~ which Americans, Japanese, Fill
IihoS, Chinese, Igorrotes and Eskimos
'Ooh part. Then he spent two hours
more IN going through the various
puiidlngs and exhibits. This was fol-
to"ed by luncheon in the New York
State building.
initiated by Arctic Brotherhood.
Inc address in the amphitheater
made at p. m, and Immediately
'ei the ceremonies there the Presi-
pent Went to the Arctic Brotherhood
~ poiiulng for the initiation ceremonies.
returned to the city for a period of
s'' ana to dress for dinner. Return
ms TO the fair grounds tonight, Mr..
az al. viewed for the first time the won
vel oe,iul Examinations, which are said to
-, .Npse those of any previous exposi-
''0n held in the country.
AZ the amphitheater the president
sa Guessed a flag drill by 400 public
osnool children, who themselves form
~ hVlng flag. He also listened to
sue rendition by a glee club of a new
W. NJ ouc song, or anthem, "In God
We trust" wriffop ood -,