The Montgomery tribune., 1909-12-10

dent with the hope that the maximum du-
ties might never be applied in any case.
but that the power TO apply them would |
enable the president and the state depart
ment through friendly negotiation to Sc
cure the elimination from the laws and
the practice under them of any foreign
country OF that which is unduly dlscrim-
inatory. No one Ia seeking tariff war
or a condition in which the spirit Of re-
taliaton shall be aroused.
The new tariff law enables me 10 APP
point n 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. An ex-
animation of the law and an understands
ing of the nature OF the facts which
should be considered In discharg-
ing the functions imposed upon the execu-
tive show that I have the power to direct
the tariff board to make a comprehensive
glossary and encyclopedia OF the terms
used and articles embraced in the tariff
law, and to secure information as to the
cost OF production of such goods in this
country and the cost of their production
In foreign countries. I have therefore ap-
pointed tariff board consisting OF three
members and have directed them to per-
form all the duties above described. This
work will perhaps take two three
years and i ask from congress a continu-
ing annual appropriation equal to that al
ready made for its prosecution. believe
that the work OF this board Will be OF
prime utility and Importance whenever
congress shall deem II wise again to re-
adjust the customs duties. If the facts
secured by the tariff board are of such Il
character as to show generally that the
rates of duties imposed by the present
tariff law are excessive under the prin-
ciples of protection as described in the
platform Of the successful party at the
late election, I shall not hesitate to in
vite the attention of congress to this fact
and to the necessity for action predicated
thereon. Nothing however, halts bust
ness and interferes with the course of
prosperity SO much as the threatened re-
vision OF the tariff and until the facts are
| at hand. after careful and deliberate in
vestigation, upon which such revision can
| properly be undertaken, II seems to me
unwise to attempt II. The amount of mis-
| information that creeps into arguments
| pro and con in respect to tariff rates is
such as to require the kind of investiga-
| ton that have directed the tariff board
| to make, an investigation undertaken by
| 1t wholly without respect to the effect
which the facts may have in calling for a
| readjustment of the rates of duty.
War Department.
In the interest of immediate economy
| and because of the prospect of a deficit,
1
| mates of the war department for the
| coming fiscal year. which brings the to-
| tai estimates down to an amount forty
| five millions less than the corresponding
| estimates for last year This could only
| be accomplished by cutting off new
| projects and suspending for the period
| of one year all progress in military mat
| ters. For the same reason l have direct
| ed that the army shall not be recruited
UP to its present authorized strength.
| These measures can hardly be more than
| temporary-to last until our revenues are
in better condition and until the whole
| question OF the expediency of adopting
a definite military policy can be submitted
| to congress-, for l am sure that the inter
ests of the military establishment are Sc
| riously in need of careful consideration by
| congress The laws regulating the organ
| ization of our armed forces in the event
of war need to be revised in order that
| the organization can be modified so as
| to produce a force which would be more
| consistently apportioned throughout its
numerous branches. To explain the cir
| cumstances upon which this opinion is
based would necessitate a lengthy discus
sion, and postpone 1t until the first con-
venient opportunity shall arise to send to
congress a special message upon this SUBJ
ject.
OF the changes recommended by
the secretary of war, the president
especially urges the passage of bill
that will permit the elimination of the
less efficient officers. He concurs in
the opinion Of the military and naval
joint board in favor of making an ex.
tensive naval base at Pearl Harbor
near Honolulu, and not in the Philip.
pines.
The Navy.
The return of the battleship fleet from
its voyage around the world in more ef-
ficient condition than when 1t started. was
| a noteworthy event of interest alike to
the world. Besides the beneficial and far
| reaching effect on our personal and dip
lomatic relations in the countries
which the fleet visited. the marked sue
cess of the ships in steaming around the
world in all weathers on schedule time
has increased respect for our navy and
has added to our national prestige
Early in the coming session compre-
hensive plan for the reorganization of the
officers of all corps of the navy will be
presented to congress, and hope it will
meet with action suited to its urgency.
Owing to the necessity for economy ir
expenditures. / have directed the curtail
ment of recommendations for naval ap
preparations so that they are thirty-eigh
millions less than the corresponding es
Inmates or last year, and the request fol
new naval construction is limited to two
frst-class battleships and one repair yes
sell.
Mr.. Taft urges upon congress thai
the naval observatory be dedicated t
science under control of some emf
nent astronomer.
Expedition in Legal Procedure.
The deplorable delays in the admins
tration of civil and criminal law have re
ceived the attention of committees of tn,
American Bar association and of man,
state bar associations, as we'll as the con
sidered thought of judges and jurists. II
my judgment a change in judicial pro
cedure, with view to reducing its ex
pense to private litigants in civil casei
and facilitating the dispatch of business
and final decision in both civil and Grim
inal cases constitutes the greatest nee,
. in our American institutions ! do no
doubt for one moment that much of thu
lawless violence and cruelty eXhbitet
in lynchings Is directly due to the uncer
tainties and injustice growing out of th
delays in trials, Judgments and the exc
i ~