The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-08

fetal communication. The volume Of
that work and It's variety and extent
have under new laws. such as the
census act and the new executive or
ders. greatly increased. The ac-
tivties Of the commission required BY
the statutes have reached to every
portion of the public domain.
The accommodations of the commits
sion are most inadequate for its needs.
l cali your attention TO its request for
increase in those accommodations az
will appear from the annual report for
this year.
Political Contributions.
l urgently recommend to congress
that law be passed requiring that
candidates in elections of members OF
the house Of representatives and COM
mittees in charge of their candidacy
and campaign file in a proper office OF
the United States government a state
ment Of the contributions received and
OF the expenditures incurred in the
campaign for such elections, and that
similar legislation be enacted in re-
speet to all other elections which are
constitutionaliy within the control OF
congress.
Freedman's Saving Fund.
Recommendations have been made
hy my predecessor that congress APP
propriate a sufficient fund to pay the
balance-about IS per cent-of the
amounts due depos1tors OF the Freed
mans Savings & Trust company. I
renew this recommendation and advise
n hAf
scribed fixing period with which the
claims may be presented. that as
signed claims be not recognized. and
that a limit be imposed on the amount
OF fees collectible for services in pre-
sentng such claims
Semi Centennial of Negro Freedom.
The year 1913 will mark the fiftieth
anniversary of the issuance Of the
emancipation proclamation granting
freedom to the negroes. 1t seems fit
ting that this event should be properly
celebrated Already movement has
been started by prominent negroes. en-
couraged b. prominent white people
and the press. The south especially Is
manifesting its interest in the move
ment.
celebration would be an exposition to
show the progress the negroes have
made. not only during their period OF
freedom, but also from the time OF their
coming To this country
l heartily indorse this proposal and
request that the executive be author
lied to appoint preliminary commit
tee of not more than seven persons to
consider raj 1Ix- rhafr ,a, u l..
wise to hold such an exposition. and, IL
so, to outline plan for the enterprise.
| further recommend that such prelimi-
nary commission serve without salary,
except as to their actual expenses. and
that an appropriation be made to meet
such expenses.
Conclusion.
! have thus. in message. compressed
as much as the subjects viii permit, re-
ferred to many of the legislative needs
of the country. with the exceptions al
ready noted. Speaking generally. the
country is in high state OF prosperity.
There Is every reason to believe that
We are on the eve of substantial
business expansion. and we have just
garnered harvest unexampled in the
'''SA' No. u 'ai
ucts. The high prices which such
products bring means great prosperity
for the farming community. but on the
other hand they mean very increased
burden upon those classes In the COM
munity whose yearly compensation
does not expand with the Improvement
in business and the general prosperity.
Various reasons are given for the high
prices. The proportionate increase in
the output OF gold. which today is the
chief medium of exchange and is in
some respects measure of value fur
nishes substantial explanation OF at
least -art of the increase in prices.
The Increase in population and the
mere expensive mode of living of the
people. which have not been accom-
panied by proportionate increase In
screage production. may furnish q fur
tier reason. II Is well to note that
the increase in the cost of living is no.
confined To this country, but prevails
the world over and that those who
would charge increases in prices TO the
existing protective tariff must meet
the fact that the rise in prices has
taken place almost wholly in those
products of the factory aid farm in
respect to which there has teen either
no Increase in tie tariff. or in many
Instances yer. considerable reduc.
tim. WILLIAM II TAFT
The White House. Dec smber !. 1909.