The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-12-26

Eliot In the League were many O1
the most prominent men IN the ccun.
he conferences held In washington In
February. The declaration of prin-
ciples by the Conference was trans
mitted to Congress by President
Roosevelt as a possible guide in shap-
ing legislation
walton movement was the movement
FOR deep waterways. This movement
was extremely strong throughout the
wear. especially in the Middle West.
where the Lakes-to-Gulf navigation
plans were given a big Impetus by a
convention at New Orleans early in
November. Prior to this convention,
President Taft included a steamboat
trip down the Mississippi in his west
ern tour. and in his various speeches
en- route repeated the position he had
taken In his speeches further West
and. in November. at Norfolk's water
way congress-viz, that the whole
subject of waterways should be put
upon the same comprehensive and
businesslike basis as had been used
in the case OF the Panama Canal which
made notable progress during the
year. He advocated the formation of
. systematic plan of procedure and
the creation of a. bond issue With
which to carry 1t out. at the same
"the pork barrel" This idea he prom
Used to recommend in his message to
Congress.
The Presidents Country-wide Trip.
In fact, the Presidents western
trip was fruitful OF an extraordinary
number of legislative proposals. The
President started across the country
on September Is from Boston. passing
through many cities en- route, reach
ing as far west and north as Seattle
and returning via San Francisco, Los
Angeles, Ell Paso, and the Southern
States. Confessedly, this long trip
was made for the express purpose Of
informing the people of the admin
tstratfon's legislative program
AT gWinona, In Minnesota, President
Taft delivered the first speech that
caused any popular stir. Winona is
the home OF Congressman James A.
Tswneys and the President ayaiIed
himself of the occasion to justify the
Payne-Aldrich tariff bill for
which Tawney had voted. and to
pronounce It one of the best pieces of,
tarif legislation in the history Of the
country. The speech was much critf-
cized both within and without the
PRESIDENTS party, and IL served at
once to start the so-called 'fnsur-
gents" of Congress. as represented by
La Toilette and Cummins. on an anti
tariff, anti Cannon. anti-Aldrich pro-
paganda.
In his message, sent to Congress ON
Dec. Z. th6 President recommended the
establishment Of postal savings bank
higher rate OF postage for magazines.
simpler methods for the Federal courts
TO avoid the laws delays. publicity
In Federal elections, and a strong
Federal health bureau. He promised
special messages on conservation and
the other subjects discussed on his
Western trip; urged economy on admin
istration; asked that no congressional
inquiry be made into the sugar scan
z dais seeks to reorganize In the state
Department, putting the service on a
merit bases, and declares that the ad-
nfinistration will encourage and protect
American enterprises in foreign coun-
tries. He also wants pensions grant
ed to aged. civil employees of the Federal
Government, and declares that the work
Of the recently appointed tariff board
win be of great assistance In future
revision of the rates OF duty.
But as President Taft got farther.
into the West his speeches changed
from political to constructive subjects,
and by the time he had reached Rich
mond on his return he stated without
reserve that he would recommend to
the approaching session OF Congress
(Which he did the xollowing topics:
Supervision OF capital stock ana OF
bond issues OF Interstate corporations:
readjustmefit Of the powers of the
Interstate commerce commissions; ex-
pansion Of the duties ana powers Of
the bureau Of corporations creation
of an interstate commerce bureau in
the Department of Justice; creation
OF q so-cailed railroad COURT, es-
Enlistment Of postal savings banks:
Rmendments5of the laws governing
the issuance or inJunctions. compre-
hensive provisions as to conservation,
waterways, irrigation, etc.
En- route from Los Angeles eastward
President Taft crossed the Mexican
border AND met President Diaz of the
latter country. Save for the visit Of
President Roosevelt to the Panama
Republic, this was the first time that
a President of the United States had
gone, outsideNof national territory dur
ing his term of office. In Mexico, It
required a special act OF Congress to
permit Diaz to cross into American
territory. Rhe formal meeting of the
two CHIEF executives took place on
bridge which for the time being
was regarded as neutral territory.
Cordial Fluctuations were exchanged,
and an elaborate banquet was set in
Juarez at which the diners ate off
million dollar set of gold dishes
taken from Macmillan by the Mexi-
cans.
In the latter part of the year. this
subject of the relationship of the
United States of the Latin republic
was given an additional interest by
the breaking out of a revolution in
Nicaragua against President Zelaya,
whose summary execution of two
American citizens in mid-November
on the charge of being revolutioists,
led the government to prepare for the
extreme of a punitive expedition Of
marines In case zelaya refused to make
proper PREPARATION for his conduct.
Later warships were despatched to
Nicaraguan ports on the Atlantic and
Pacific. and q force of several hundred
marines sent to Panama to be close at
hand in case of need. Still later. on
Dec. l. Secretary OF state Knox, In a
remarkable document, in which ne
warmly accused Zelaya Of frequent
treaty violations and other internal
tional breaches of the peace, declared
that this Government would hold him
personally responsible for the execu-
ton of Americans, AT the same time,
Mr. Knox handed his passports to the
Nicaraguan Charge d'Affaires, but adj
ded that he could remain in this coun-
try and the Government would con-
suit with him, IL necessary, just as IL
proposed to consult with the revolu-
tionary representative in washington.
AS the year ends this interna tional
question and the Nicaraquan civil war
remain to be definitely settled.
Prior to the up-cropping of this
ZeIayan smatter. the State Depart
nent's chief concern to the south of
us was in keeping one oenor Cipriano