Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-12-17
Excerpts from the Message

t44ti - - 40 'JAt'4 n iiAsAA4 ~ NAf a. kNAA-
s.o.S We cannot. IN view OF the adj
vaucil- prices II living. hope TO save
money rs - reduction In the standard
q salaries paid. Indeed. II any change
is made iu that regard an increase
rather tLau Il decrease will be ueCes-
sary. and the only means OF economy
VIII he ~ rctUC.us the number OF
cuHnyecs and in obtaining q greater
average Of efficiency from those re-
ta.ueL in the service.
Frauds In the Collection OF Customs.
regret ~ IT FER 10 the fact Of the
discovery Of extensive frauds In the
collection of the customs revenue at
New York city. in which q number of
The subordinate employees IN the
weighing and other departments were
directly concerned and IN which the
hcUefciaries were the American Sugar
Refining company and others The
frauds consisted in the payment Of du-
ty on Undcrweights OF sugar. The gov
eminent has recovered from the Amer
lean Sugar Refining company all that
It Is shown TO have been defraudcd OF.
The sum was received in full Of the
amount due which might have been
recovered by evil action against the
beneficiary Of the fraud. but there was
nm excess reservation in the contract
OF settlement by which the settlement
| should not interfere with or prevent
the criminal prosecution Of every one
| NJ 70 hn cYIh ~
same.
Criminal prosecutions are now pro-
ceedinc against number Of the gov
eminent officers The treasury de-
partment aud the department OF JUS
tice are eXerting every effort 10 dis
cover all the wroncdoers. including tho
officers and employees OF the compa-
MES who may have been privy to the
fraud II would seem 10 me that an
investigation OF the frauds by con-
gresS ut present. pending the probing
by the treasury department and the
department OF justice. as proposed.
might by giving immunity and other
wise prove an embarrassment in Sc
curing conviction OF the guilty parties.
Maximum and Minimum Clause In
Tariff Act.
Two features of the new tariff act
call for special reference. In order
that the maximum duty shall be chars-
ed against the imports from country
1t is necessary that the executive shall
find on the part OF that country not
only Determinations In its laws or the
practice under them against the trade
Of the United States, but that the dis
examinations found shall be undue
that IS, without good and fair reason.
No one is seeking tariff war or n con-
dition IL which the spirit Of retaliation
shall be aroused.
Tariff Readjustment.
The new tariff law enables me to up
point tariff board to assist me in con-
nection with the department Of state in
the administration Of the minimum and
maximum clause Of the act and also to
assist officers Of the government in the
administration Of the entire law. be-
lieve that the work Of this board will
be OF prime utility and Importance
| whenever congress shall deem 1t wise
again to readjuSt the customs duties.
If the facts secured by the tariff board
are of such character as to show gen.
orally that the rates Of duties imposed
by the present tariff law are excessive
under the principles Of protection as
described in the platform Of the sue
cessful party ut the late election /
shall not hesitate to Invite the atten-
ton Of congress to this fact and to the
necessity for action predicated there
on. Nothing. however. halts business
and interferes with the course of pros
pcrity SO much rs the threatened revi-
sion of the tariff and until the facts
are 1T hand. after careful and deiber-
ate investigation. upon which such re-
vision can properly be undertaken. 1t
seems to me unwise to attempt it.
War Department.
In the interest OF immediate econ
Omy ! 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-five millions 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 III military matters. For the
same reason | have directed that the
army shall not be recruited up to its
present authorized strength. These
/ l,lr, 49,, t,,,,
temporary. for | am sure that the In
terests OF the military establishment
are seriously In need of careful con-
sideration by congress-
The secretary Of war calls attention
to number OF needed changes In the
army. in all Of which concur. but the
point upon which | place most EN-
phasis is the need for an elimination
bill providing II method by which the
merits of officers shall have some eff.
feet upon their advancement and by
which the advancement of all may be
, accelerated 10y the effective elimination
Of Il definite proportion of the least
efficient
The military and naval Joint board
nav 't-iftu IL NOutl
be unwise 10 make the large expendi.
lures which NJ one time were contem.
, plated in the establishment Of naval
base and station IN the Philippine Is.
lands and have expressed their judg.
, mcnt. in which fully concur. In ia.
vor of Tfking an extensive naval base
at Pearl IlarbOr. near Honolulu, and
, not in the Philippines.
Tho Navy.
The return Of the battleship fleet
from Its voyage around the world in
more efficient condition than when II
started was noteworthy event of In.
! terest alike to our citizens and the
naval authorities Of the world. The
marked success Of the ships in steam.
ing around the world in all weathers
. on schedule time has increased respect
for our navy and has added to our ma.
tional prestige.
1t Is regrettable fact that the