Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-08

the territory for their approval at an election in which the sole issue shall be the merits of the proposed consti- tuition, and if the constitution is de- feated by popular vote means shall bs provided in the enabling act for a new convention and the drafting of a new constitution. think 1t vital that the issue as to the merits of the constitu- ton should not be mixed up with the selection of state officers and that no election of state officers should be had uptil after the constitution has been fully approved and finally settled upon
 Alaska.
 With respect to the territory of Alas ka, I recommend legislation which shall provide for the appointment by the president of a governor and also of an execu eive council, the members of which shall during their term of office reside iln the territory and which shall have lek.Islative powers sufficient to enable it to- give to the territory lo- cal laws adapaisd to its present growth. l strongly deplrecate legislation looking to the election of a territorial legisla- ture in that vast district. The lack of permanence of residence of a large part of the present population and the small number of the people who either permanently or temporarily reside in the district as compared with its vast expanse and the variety of the inter- ests that have to be subserved make it altogether uniting. in my judgment. to provide for e popular election of a legislative body. The present system is not adequate and does not furnish the character of local control that ought to be there. The only compro- mise 1t seems to npe which may give needed local Legislation and secure a conservative government is the one I propose.
 Conservation of Natural Resources.
 In several departments there is pre- sented the necessity for legislation looking to the further conservation of our national resources, and the sub feet is one of such importance as to require a more detailed and extended discussion than can be entered upon fin this communication. For that req son I shall take an early opportunity to send a special message to congress on the subject of the improvement of our waterways, upon the reclamation and irrigation of arid, semiarid and swamp lands, upon the preservation of our forests and the reforesting of suitable areas. upon the reclassifca- tion of the public domain with view of separating from agricultural set tlement mineral, coal and phosphate lan6s and sites belonging to the gov ernment bordering on streams suita- ble for the utilization of water power.
 Department of Agriculture.
 I commend to your careful considera- ton the report of the secretary of ag- riculture as showing the immense sphere of usefulness which that de- pertinent now fills and the wonderful addition to the wealth of the nation made by the farmers of this country in the crops of the current year.
 Department of commsros and Labor.
 The Lighthouse Board.
 | The lighthouse board now discharges its duties under the department of commerce and labor. For upward of forty years this board has been con stituted of military and naval eficers and two or three men of science. with such an absence of q duly constituted executive head that it is marvellous what work has been accomplished. In the period of construction the energy and enthusiasm of all the members prevented the inherent defects of the system from interfering greatly with the beneficial work of the board, but now that the work is chiefly confined to maintenance and repair, for which purpose the country is divided into sixteen districts. to which are assigned an engineer officer of the army and an inspector of the navy, each with a lighthouse tender and the needed plant for his work. it has become apparent by the frequent friction that arises, due to the absence of any central in- dependent authority, that there must be a complete reorganization of the board. I concede the advantage of keeping in the system the rigidity of discipline that the presence of naval !, and military officers in charge insures, but unless the presence of such of. ficers in the board can be made con ' sistent with a responsible executive head that shall have proper authority | recommend the transfer of control over the lighthouses to a suitable civil ian bureau. This is in accordance with ibe judgment of competent persons frho are familiar with the workings of tlAa present system. I am confident that a reorganization can be effected which shall avoid the recurrence of friction between members, instances of which have been officially brought tc my attention, and that by such reor. gan tzation greater efficiency and . substantial reduction fin the expense of oIeration can be brought about
 Consolidation of Bureaus.
 I request congressional authority tu enables the secretary of commerce and labor sbo unite the bureaus of manu' | factures and statistics. This was rec commended by a competent committes appointtal in the previous administra ton foI- the purpose of suggesting i changes in the interest of economy and efic1hncy and is requested by ths secretary