Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-08

W. RShS
seeking a tariff war or condition in
which the spirit of retaliation shall be
aroused"
The new tariff board is discussed, the
president saying that their work Will
perhaps take two or three years. A
continuing annual appropriation Is
asked.
Confidence in Work
"I believe" the president continues,
that the work of this board will be
of prime utility and Importance when
ever congress shall deem 1t wise again
to adjust the customs duties. If the
facts secured by the tariff board are Oh
such a character as to show generally
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 successful party
at the late election, | snail not hesitate
to invite the attention of congress 10
this fact and to the necessity for action
predicated thereon.
Nothing, however halts business
and interferes with the course of pros
perity so much as the threatened re-
vision of the tariff, and until the facts
liberate investigation, upon which such
revision can be properly undertaken, IL
seems to me unWise to attempt II, Ine
amount of misinformation that creeps
into arguments pro and con, in respect
to tariff rates is such as to require tne
kind of investigation undertaken by II
wholly without respect to the effect
which the facts may have in calling for
a readjustment of the rates of duty
A reduction in the estimates of the
war department for the coming fiscal
year, which brings the total estimates
down to an amount S45,000,000 less than
the corresponding estimates for last
year. is mentioned by the president,
all progress in military matters being
suspended for a year as consequence.
These measures can hardly be more
than temporary, the executive says.
Later he will send a special message
to congress upon military matters.
Changes in Army
Concurring in needed changes in the
army, he places emphasis on the need
for an elimination bill. THE coast de-
lenses of the United states proper are
generally all that could be desired,
and i'm some respects they are rather
more elaborate than under the present
conditions are needed to stop an en-
emy's fleet from entering the harbors
defended"
The president concurs in the judg
ment of the military and naval joint
board in favor of making an extensive
naval base at Pearl Harbor near
Honolulu, and not in the Philippines.
The president then discusses the navy
the need for reform, economy in eX-
penditures. etc. He says;
"A comprehensive plan for the re-
organization of the officers of all corps |
of the navy would be presented to con-
gress and hope it will meet with action
suited to it's urgency" Appointment of |
an eminent astronomer as head of the |
naval observatory is recommended.
President Taft says that in his judg- |
ment a change in judicial procedure |
with view to reducing it's expense |
to private litigants in civil cases and |
facilitating the dispatch of business |
and final decision in both civil and |
criminal cases constitutes the greatest !
need in our American institutions.
A commission to consider reforms in |
the judiciary is recommended. The |
president recommends in compliance |
with the promise made in the Repub-
lican platform that appropriate legis-
lation relating to the issuance of in
functions be adopted.
Would Give Notice
Previous notice and a reasonable op- |
portunity to be heard on behalf of the |
parties to be enjoined are urged by |
the president. with certain exceptions. |
President Taft then refers to anti
trust and interstate commerce laws, |
which will be discussed in special |
message.
The president says the actual loss
growing out of the transmission of
second-class mail matter amounts to
about $63,000,000 year. Congress, he
says, may we'll consider whether rad
ical steps should not be taken to re-
duce the deficit by imposing higher
rate of postage on magazines and pc
riodicals.
President Taft says he is convinced |
the people desire postal savings banks
and that they will be productive of |
the utmost good. He says of them:
"They will furnish a satisfactory |
substitute for the system of govern
ment guaranty of deposits, which, |
with Difference to those who advocate |
of Generalization to conservative |
banking and certain financial dis
aster."
The president earnestly recommend |
ed the passage of a ship subsidy bill.
In recommending separate statehood |
for New Mexico and Arizona President |
Taft advises that after the adoption |
of a constitution it be submitted to |
the people for approval State officers
should not be elected until after the |
constitution has been settled upon.
Alaskan Legislation
"With respect to Alaska" said the
president, "I recommend legislation
which shall provide for the appointment
by the president of a governor and
also of an executive council, the men,
fala Ian1 fIanfrs
of office, reside in the territory, and
which shall have legislative powers
sufficient to enable it to give the ter
ritory local laws adapted to its pres