The Cairo bulletin., 1909-10-01
PRESIDENT SAYS HE VIII L URGE
CONGRESS TO ENACT SHIP
SUBSIDY LAW.
WAS LOUDLY CHEeRED
When This Statement Was Made
Taft Also Speaks Mind Against
Granting Alaska Territor-
iaI Government.

Seattle, Sept 30.-Speaklng before
the largest audience since his trip
began-a crowd that overlooked the
natural anphitheatre of the eXposi-
ton with seating capacity of nearly
20,000-Taft today announced that
he would urge in his coming message
to congress the enactment of a ship
subsidy law. His utterances on this
subject were received with great &C
claim.
The presidents statement declaring
a territorial form of government was
received with silence, out as the pres,
ident outlined his policy for the up
building OF Alaska, recommending
that the government aid in the con-
struction of railroads of local gov
eminent by a commission appointed
Iby the president cooperating with
the governor and when he reviewed
Alaska's graet possibilities, he was
loudly cheered
Later, when he was admitted to
membership in the Arctic Brother
hood, and organization of Canadians
and Americans interested in the de
velopment of Alaska the president an
nounced that he intended to visit
Alaska next summer and go far into
the territory as time would permit
in order to come in contact with the
people, and see for himself what was
best to be done for their welfare
The president frankly told the broth
erhood he did not believe Alaska was
ready for self-goverDment, and said
II am as much in favor of popular
government as anybody, but favor
popular government only when the
conditions exist which make popular
government success for the people
governed and the people at large
When there are limitations to this
we must take other means until pop,
ular government is possible
In his speech in the amphitheatre
this afternoon, referring to subsidies
he said
There is no subject on which con
gress can better devote the attention
of the coming session than the regu
lation of our merchant marine in sucF
a way as to establish American lines
between New York and other ports
and South American ports and be
N
the Philippines.
I'VE earn a profit from our foreign
mails of six to eight million year
An appropriation of that amount
would be quite sufficient to put on {
satisfactory basis two or three Orient
al lines and several lines from the
East to South America. OF course
this would be a contribution to pri
vate companies, but we are thus con
tributing in various ways on simila
principles in effect. by the tariff laws
by the river and harbor bill, by tn
reclamation service. We are putin
money into the pockets of the shi
owners, but giving them money, wit
which they can compete with the mel
chant marine of the world"
The president pointed out the peri
Gus position of the United States il
the event of foreign war, when w
have to buy vessels from other cour
tries to use as golfers for our fleets
Concerning the proposal to Civ
Alaska regular territorial form i
government, the president said;
1T would be great mistake, be
cause the territory has not population
sufficient stability or permanence t
warrant delegation to locally cleo
ed legislation of such authority LIZ
cal self government in country s
large with scattered nomadic POI
ulation and intense local sections
feeling should not be given seriou
consideration until political divisio
of the territory into more Unite
areas S warranted"
Taft suggested that local legisl
ton be vested in a resident commi
sion of five, acting in conjunctio
with the governor
The president said. Since | la'
visited the coast the Philippines ha
extended to them in the tariff laws
message of justice, which had bee
adopted nine years ago. If 1t ha
been in Seattle or San Francisc
the Pacific coast would have prolific
Free trade with the Philippines, {
now established will develop in 9
exchange of business greatly to II
advantage of both countries.
The Panama Canal will be col
pleted before 1915 and trade betwee
the eastern and western coasts
this country will be revolutionize
for the carriage OF heavy bulk me
chandise between the Pacific and Il