The Mena weekly star., 1909-12-16

,,,. a~nanston into widest usefulness of 2 department giving attention to agricul- t,ra when that subject Is plainly one o,,er which the states properly exercise direct jurisdiction. The opportunities or tered for useful research and the spread of useful information in regard to the c,,,,Iyatiou of the soil and the breeding os stock and the solution of many of the Intricate problems in progressive agricul- ,,ra have demonstrated tho wisdom or astahYshing that department. Similar reasons of equal force, can be given for the establishment of bureau Of health that shall not only exercise the police jurisdiction of the federal government re- snecting quarantine, but which shall also afford an opportunity for investigation and research by competent experts into a,,estions of health affecting the whole eountrv ar important sections thereof. questions which, In the absence of fed- arai governmental work. are not likely to be promptly solved
 Civil Service Commission.
 The work of the United States civil ser- vice commission has been performed to inc general satisfaction of the executive officers with whom the commission has heen brought into official communication. The volume of that work and it's variety and extent have under new laws, such
 
 ders. greatly increased. The activities of inc commission required by the statutec have reached to every portion of the pub lie domain.
 Political Contribution.
 1 urgently recommend to congress that a law be passed requiring that candi- dates in elections of members of the house of representatives and committees In charge of their candidacy and cam paign file in proper office of the United States government a statement of the contributions received and of the expen- ditures incurred in the campaign for such elections and that similar legislation be enacted in respect to all other elections which are constltutionaily within the control of congress.
 Conclusion.
 I have thus. in a message compressed as much as the subjects will permit re- ferred to many of the legislative needs of the country with the exceptions al- ready noted. Speaking generally, the country is in a high state of prosperity. There is every reason to believe that we are on the eve of substantial business expansion and we have just garnered a harvest unexampled in the market value of our agricultural products. The high prices which such products bring mean great prosperity for the farming com munity but on the other hand they mean a very considerably increased bur den upon those classes In the commu- nifty whose yearly compensation does not expand with the improvement in busi- ness and the general prosperity. Various reasons are given for the high prices. The proportionate increase in the output of gold, which to-day is the chief medi- um of exchange and Is in some respects a measure of value, furnishes substan- tial explanation of at least part of the increase in prices. The increase in pop ulation and the more expensive mode of living of the people. which have not been accompanied by a proportionate increase in acreage production. may furnish q fur- ther reason. IL is well to note that the increase in the cost of living is not con- fined to this country. but prevails the world over and that those who would charge increases In prices to the existing protective tariff must meet the fact that the rise in prices has taken place almost wholly in those products of the factory and farm in respect to which there has been either no increase In the tarin or In many instances very considerable re- auction.
 VIM. H TAFT.
 The White House. December '. 1908.