Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-12-09

from its voyage around TIE World In
more efficient condition than when it
started was a 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 a regrettable fact that the
higher officers are old for the respon-
sibilities of the modern navy, and the
admiras do not arrive at flag rank
young enough to obtain adequate train
ing in their duties as flag officers.
Owing TO the necessity for economy
in expenditures, | have directed the
curtailment of recommendations for
naval appropriations so that they are
thirty-eight millions less than the cor
responding estimates Of last year. and
the request for new naval construction
is limited TO two first class battleships
and one repair vessel
The secretary of the navy has inau-
gurated Il tentative plan involving GER
tain changes in the organization Of the
navy department, including the navy
yards, all of which have been found
by the attorney general TO be in ac-
cordance with law. | have approved
the execution of the plan proposed be
cause of the greater efficiency and
economy it promises.
Department of Justice-Expedition In
Legal Procedure.
The deplorable delays in the admin
istration Of civil and criminal law have
received the attention Of committees of
the American Bar association and of
many state bar associations as well as
the considered thought of judges and
juriSts. In my Judgment, a change in
public procedure. with view TO re-
ducing its expense to private litigants
in civil cases and facilitating the dis
patch of business and final decision in
both civil and criminal cases. consti-
tuteS the greatest need in our Ameri
can institutions. | do not doubt for
one moment that much Of the lawless
violence and cruelty exhibited in lynch
ings are directly due to the uncertain
ties and injustice growing out of the
delays in trials, judgments and the exc
cutions thereof by our courts.
l therefore recommend legislation
providing for the appointment by the
president of q commission with author
ity 10 examine the law and equity
procedure Of the federal courts of first
instance. the law of appeals from
those courts to the courts Of appeals
and to the supreme court and the costs
imposed in such procedure upon the
private litigants and upon the public
treasury and make recommendation
with view to simplifying and ex-
pediting the procedure as far as pos
sible and making it as inexpensive as
may be to the litigant of little means.
The platform of the successful party
in the last election contained the fol-
lowing:
Injunctions Without Notice.
1--WE believe that the rules of proce
dure in the federal courts with respect
to the issuance of the writ of injunc-
ton should be more accurately defined
by statute and that no injunction or
temporary restraining order should be
issued without notice, except where
irreparable injury would result from
delay. in which case a speedy hearing
thereafter should be granted"
recommend that in compliance with
the promise thus made appropriate leg
s.lA 10
such injunction or restraining order
issued without previous notice and op-
portunity by the defendant to be heard
should by force of the statute expire
and be of no effect after seven days
from the issuance thereof or within
any time less than that period which
the court may fix unless within such
seven days or such less period the in
junction or order is extended or re-
newed after previous notice and OPP
portunity to be heard.
Antitrust and Interstate Commerce
Laws.
The jurisdiction of the general gov
ernment over interstate commerce has
led to the passage of the so called
sherman antitrust law" and the "in-
terstate commerce law" and its
amendments. The developments in the
operation of those laws call for dis
cnSsion and some suggestions as to
amendments. These | prefer to en-
body in n special message.
Postoffee Department - Second Class
Mail Matter.
The deficit every year in the post
Office department is largely caused by
the low rate of postage Of ! cent
pound charged on second class mail
matter. which includes not only news
papers. but magazines and miscella-
neous periodicals. The actual loss grow
ing out of the transmission of this
second class mail matter at 1 cent a
pound amounts to about S63, 100000 a
year. The average cost of the trans
portation of this matter is more than
8 cents pound. The statistics of 1907