Putnam patriot., 1909-12-10
THE PUTNAM PATRIOT December 10 lsoy

 enly discriminations ia its laws or the practice under them against ths trade If she Tnfte1 States. hat that she dls crinlinazsauS fssand snaA he undue that ts. without geott and fair reason. No oue iS SsscSlas tartR WAT Or \ con. ditioa ia which lhe spirit oF retaliation shssll be aroused.
 TWsff Read iussraent.
 The new tariff law enaeieS me to ap- point tarir beard te assist ne in een uection with the department of stNte in the administration If thr minimum and ms ximam clause of the act aud also to assist officers of the government in the ef the entire law. be- lieye that the work of this board win be of prime utility and importance whenever congress shall deem 1t wise again to readiust the customs duties If the facts secured hs the tarif board are of such character as 10 show gen orally that the rates of duties imposed by the present tarif law are excessive under the principles of protection as described in the platform of the sue ceSsful party at the lase election | shall not hesitate to invite the atten. ton of congress to this fact and 10 the necessity for action predicated there on. Nothing. however. halts business and intcrferes with the course of pros perity so much as the threatened rev,- sien of the taria, and until the facts are at hand, after careful and deliher- ate investigation. upon which such re vision can properly be undertaken. it seems to mo unwisc 10 attempt it
 War Department.
 Tn the interest of immediate econ emy have required reduction in the estimates Of the war department for the coming fiscal year which brings the total estimates down to an amount forty-flvs rniisaops less than the corresponding estimates for last year. This could be accomplished only by cutting or new projects and sus- pending for the period of one year all progress in military mattefs- For the same reason I have directed that the
 
 present authorixed strength These measures can hardly be more than for 1 am sure that the in terests of the military establishment are seriously in need of careful eon- sideration by congress.
 The secretary of war calls attention to number uf needed changes i'll the army. in all of which concur. hut the point upon which place most em- phasis Is the reed for an elimlnation bill providing method by which the merits of officers shall have some ef feel upon their advancement and b, which the advancement of all may be by Ihe effective elimination of T definite proportion Of the least efficient
 The military and naval joint board have unanimously agreed thai II would be nnwise to make the large expendi- lures which at one time were contem plated in the establishment of naval base and station in the Philippine Is lands and have expressed their tudg ment. in which fully concur. in ia vor of making m extensive naval base at Pearl Harbor. near Honolulu. and not In the Philippines.
 The Navy.
 The return of the bnttleship feei from It's voyage around the world in more efficient condition than when it started was q noteworthy event of in- terest alike to our citizens and the naval authorities of the world. The marked success of the ships In stea m- ing around the world In all weathers on schedule time has increased respect for our navy and has added to our na tional prestige.
 1t is regreftable fact that the higher officers are old for the respon- abilities of the modern navy. and the admirals do not arrive al dag rank young enough to obtain adequate train. ing in their duties as flag ofiicers-
 Owing to the necessity for economy in expenditures. l have directed the eurtailment of recommendation for naval appropria so that they are thirty-eight millions less than the cor responding estimates of last year. and the request for new naval construction h limited to two first class battleships and one repair vessel.
 The secretary of tue navy has innu. guratsd tentative piao involving cer. tain changes in the orga nlzation of the navy department. inciuding the navy yards. all of which have been found by the attorney general to be In ac- eordance with law. ] have approved the executiou of the plan proposed be- cause of the greater efficiency and economy II promises.
 Department Of Justice-Grpsdition lw
 Legal Procedure.
 rhe depioratie deiays In the admin istratioD of cirsl and criminal law hay c received the attention of committees of the American Bar associar ton and of many state bar associations as well as the considered thought of judges and J,irists iB Isis judgment q change in public proce,lure. with view to re- dncina lis expense to private iitigants in civil cases and facilitating the dis patch Of buSiDess and final decision tn both eivii and criminal cases. consti- tutes the greatest Dsesi in onr Ameri, can instisussvns do uot doubt for sne moment tbaf much of the iawless violence and cruelty exhibited in IyDch- ings are directly due to the uncertain hes and injustice growing out Of the delays in trials. judgments and the exc cutiosas thereof bY our courts
 therefore recommend egislation providIB. for the appointment by thr of a com mission with author Ity 10 examine fhs law and equity proessiure of ib~ federal courts Of first I..~ zls kE<xxx1