The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-12-10

So& sAseA NAHV RVWVH ~ oRkAy tttenl WoutO
enable the president anA the state depart
ment through friendly negotiation to se-
cure the elimination from the laws ana
the practice under them Of any foreign
country OF that which q unduly discrim-
fnatory. No one II seeking a tariff war
or = condition In which the spirit OF re-
taiiation shall BE- aroused
The new tariff law enables me to an
point . tariff board 10 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-
Ing Of the nature OF the facts which
should be considered in discharx-
ing the functions imposed upon the execu-
tive show that I have the power to direct
the tari6 board to make q 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. 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 or three
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. II the facts
secured by the tariff board are of such q
character a. to show generally that the
rates OF duties imposed by the present
tariff law are excessive under the prin-
ciples OF protection ~ 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 busi-
ness and interferes with the course OF
prosperity 20 much a. 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. Il seems to me
unwise to attempt Il. The amount of mis-
Information that creeps into arguments
pro and con in respect to tariff rates II
such A. to require the kind Of investiga-
ton that have directed the tariff board
to make. an investigation undertaken by
IL wholly without respect to the effect
which the facts may have In calling for .
rsadjustment Of the rates Of duty.
War Department.
In the Interest Of Immediate economy
and because OF the prospect OF a deficit.
have required . reduction In the esti-
mates OF the war department for the
coming nscal year. which brings the to-
tai estimates down to an amount forty
flve millions less than the corresponding
estimates for last year. This could only
DO accomplished by cutting on new
projects and suspending for the period
OF one year all progress In military mat
tiers. For the same reason have direct
Cd that the army shall not be recruited
up to its present authorised strength.
These measures can hardly be more than
last until our revenues are
In better condition and until the whole
question Of the expediency OF adopting
definite military policy can be submitted
10 congress, for ! am sure that the inter-
ests OF the military establishment are Sc
rfously In need OF careful consideration by
congress. The laws regulating the organ
Of war need to be revised In order that
the organization can be modified 30 AZ
TO produce force which would be more
apportioned throughout Its
numerous branches. To explain tho cir
upon which this opinion IN
based would necessitats Z lengthy Discus
sion. and postpone II until the flrst con-
venient opportunity shall arise to send 10
congress . special message upon this SUBJ
jsct.
OF the changes recommended BY
the secretary OF war. the president
especially urges the passage OF bill
that will permit tho elimination OF the
less efficient oincers. 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 flsst from
u voyage around tbs world. In more e.
acient condition than when II started. was
,ur citizens and the naval authorities Of
he world. Besides the beneficial and far
reaching effect on our personal and dip
omatic relations In the countries
which the neet visited. the marked sue
,ess Of the ships In steaminE around the
world In all weathe1 on schedule time
ias Increased respect for our navy and
aas added to our national prestige.
Early In the coming session . comprs-
,ensivs plan for the reorgnnisatl tom Of the
,f1cers OF all corps OF tho navy viii be
presented to congress. and ! hope u viii
meet with action suited to its urgency.
Owing to the necessity for economy In
expenditures. have directed the curtail-
nent OF recommendations for naval ap-
'ropriations % that they arc thirty-eieht
Millions less than the correspondence a.
mates Of last year. and the request for
lew naval construction 10 limited to two
battlsships and one repair vss-
sl.
Mr.. Taft urges upon congress that
he naval observatory be dedicated to
|cience under control OF some emf.
lent astronomer.
Expedition In Legal Procedure.
The deplorabls delays In the admins.
ration OF civil and criminal law have re-
sived the attention Of committees OF the
american Bar association and OF many
tate bar associations. a. well a. the con-
idersd thought Of judges and jurists. In
ny Judgment . change In judicial pro-
edure. with Q view to reducing its en-
'enss to private litigants In civil cases
nd facilitating the dispatch Of business
nd nnal decision In both civil and GRIM
nal cases constitutes the greatest need
q our American institutions. do not
oubt for one moment that much OF the
awiess violence and cruelty exhibited
q lynchinEs 10 directly due 70 the uncer-
aintiss and injustice growing out Of the
elays In trials. Judgments and the exc |
utions thereof by our courts OF course
hoD0 Y0maPka nnn1v n,,iSa a. wa11 "a shn