Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-08

| same reason | have directed that the
army shall not be recruited up to its
present authorized strength. These
measures can hardly be more than
temporary, for l am sure that the in
terests of the military establishment
are seriously in need of careful con-
sideration by congress.
The secretary Of war calls attention
to a number of needed changes in the
army, in all of which concur, but the
point upon which | place most en-
phasis is the need for an elimination
bill providing method by which the
merits of officers shall have some eff
feet upon their advancement and by
which the advancement of all may be
accelerated by the effective elimination
of definite proportion of the least
efficient.
The military and naval joint board
have unanimously agreed that it would
be unwise to make the large expendi-
lures which at one time were contem-
plated in the establishment Of naval
base and station in the Philippine Is
lands and have expressed their judy
ment. in which l fully concur, in ia
vor Of making an extensive naval base
at Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, and
not in the Philippines.
The Navy.
The return of the battleship fleet
from its voyage around the world in
more efficient condition than when it
started was 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
admirals 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, l 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 a 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. l have approved
the execution Of the plan proposed be-
cause Of the greater efficiency and
economy 1t 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 we'll 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 aud theexe-
cutions thereof by our courts.
/ therefore recommend legislation
providing for the appointment by the
president of a commission with author
ity to examine the law and equity
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 speedy hearing
thereafter should be granted"
recommend that In compliance with
the promise thus made appropriate leg
islation be adopted. Moreover. every
such injunction or restraining order
Issued without previous notice and OPP
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.