The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-07

SAaasSS IN the uLSEeSC OF economy
and efficiency ana Is requested by the
secretary.
The White Slave Trade.
greatly regret to have to say that
tho Investigation made in the bureau
of immigration and other sources Of
Information lead to the view that
there is urgent necessity for addition
al legislation and greater executive
activity to SUI press the recruiting Of
the ranks Of prostitutes from the
streams Of immigration into this coun-
try-an evil which, for want of a bet
ter name, har been called -"the white
slave trade" 1 believe it to be con-
stitutiona1 to forbid under penalty the
transportation of persons for purposes
OF prostitution across national and
state lines. and by appropriating
fund Of $4,000 to be used by the Sec
rotary Of commerce and labor for the
employment Of special inspectors 1t
VIII be possible to bring those re-
sponsible for this trade to Indictment
and conviction under federal law.
Bureau Of Health.
For a very considerable period a
movement has been gathering strength.
especially among the members of the
medical profession, in favor of a con-
centration Of the instruments Of the
national government which have to do
with the promotion Of public health
The work Of the United States civE
service commission has been perform
ed to the general satisfaction of the
executive officers with whom the COM
mission has been brought into official
communication. The volume of that
work and its variety and extent have
under new laws, such as the census
act and new executive orders, greatly
increased. The activities of the COM
mission 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.
1 call your attention to its request for
increase In those accommodations, as
will appear from the annual report for
this year.
Political Contributions.
urgently recommend to congress
that law be passed requiring that
candidates in elections Of members of
the house Of representative s and COM
mittees In charge Of their candidacy
and campaign file in proper ONCE 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-
spect to all other elections which are
constitutionally within the control of
congress.
SemicentenniaI 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 proper
~ celebrated. Already a movement
has been started by prominent ne
groes. encouraged by prominent white
people and the press. The south espe-
cially is manifesting its interest in this
movement.
It is suggested that proper form
Of celebration would be an exposi-
ton to show the progress the negroes
have made, not only during their Pc
Rod of freedom, but also from the
time of their coming to this country.
1 heartily indorse this proposal and
request that the executive be author
lied to appoint a preliminary commits
sion of not more than seven persons
to consider carefully whether or not
1t is wise to hold such an exposition,
and If so to outline a plan for the
enterprise. I further recommend that
such preliminary commission serve
without salary, except as to their ac-
tual expenses, and that an appropria-
ton be made to meet such expenses.
Conclusion.
l have thus, In a message compressed
as much as the subjects will permit,
referred to many Of the legislative
needs of the country, with the excep-
lions already noted. Speaking gener.
ally, the country Is In a high state of
prosperity. There Is every reason to
believe that we are on the eve of a
substantial business expansion, and we
have just garnered a harvest unex-
ampled in the market value Of our
agricultural products. The high prices
which such products bring mean great
prosperity for the farming community;
but, on the other hand, they mean a
very considerably increased burden
upon those classes in the community
whose yearly compensation does not
expand with the improvement in bust
ness and the general prosperity. vari-
Gus 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 part Of the increase In prices.
The increase In population and the
more expensive mode of living of the
people, which have not been accom-
panied by a proportonate increase in