Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-12-10


dent with the hope that the maximum du-
ties might never be applied in any case,
but that the power to apply them would
enable the president and the state depart
ment through friendly negotiation to Sc
cure the elimination from the laws and
the practice under them OF any foreign
country of that which is unduly discrim-
inatory. No one is seeking n tariff war
or n condition in which the spirit of re-
talation shall be aroused.
The new tariff law enables me to ap-
point tariff board TO assist me in con-
nectlon 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-
animation of the law and an understand
ing of the nature OF the facts which
should be considered in discharg-
ing the functions imposed upon the eXecu-
tive show that have the power to direct
the tariff board to make 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 epove described. This
work will perhaps take two or three
years, and ask from congress n continu-
ready made for its prosecution. I believe
that the work of this board will be OF
prime utility and Importance whenever
congress shall deem 1t wise again to re-
| adjust the customs duties. IL the facts
secured by the tariff board are of such a
character as to show generally that the
rates of duties imposed by the present
tariff law are excessive under the prin-
| ciples of protection as described In the
platform of the successful party at the
| late election, 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 so much as the threatened re-
vision of the tariff, and until the facts are
| at hand. after careful and deliberate in
vestigauon, upon which such revision can
| properly be undertaken, It seems to me
| unwise to attempt 1t. The amount of mis-
Information that creeps Into arguments
| pro and con In respect to tariff rates 10
| such as to require the kind of investiga-
| ton that I have directed the tariff board
| to make. an investigation undertaken by
| II wholly without respect to the effect
| which the facts may have in calling for a
readjustment of the rates of duty.
War Department.
= In the interest Of immediate economy
| and because OF the prospect of a deficit
| I have required a reduction In the esti-
| mates of the war department for the
coming fiscal year. which brings the to-
tai estimates down to an amount forty
| five millions less than the corresponding
| estimates for last year. This could only
be accomplished by cutting off new
| projects and suspending for the period
| of one year all progress in military mat
| ters. For the same reason have direct
| cd that the army shall not be recruited
up to its present authorized strength.
| Those hn m
| temporary-to last until our revenues are
| in better condition and until the whole
| question OF the eXpediency of adopting
| a definite military policy can be submitted
| to congress, for am sure that the inter-
| ests of the military establishment are Sc
| riously in need OF careful consideration by
congress. The laws regulating the organ
| ization of our armed forces in the event
| of war need TO be revised in order that
| the organization can be modified 80 as
| to produce force which would be more
| consistently apportioned throughout Its
| numerous branches. To explain the cir
cumstances upon which this opinion is
based would necessitate lengthy discus
sion. and I postpone II until the first con-
venient opportunity shall arise to send to
| congress special message upon this sub
| ject.
OF the changes recommended by
the secretary of war, the president
|
that will permit the elimination of the
less efficient officers. 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.
mt.
its voyage around the world, in more ef.
ficient condition than when 1t started. was
a noteworthy event OF interest alike tC
our citizens and the naval authorities oi
the world. Besides the beneficial and far.
reaching effect on our personal and dip
lomatic relations in the countries
which the fleet visited the marked sue
cess of the ships in steaming around tn,
world in all weathers on schedule tim,
has increased respect for our navy ant
has added to our national prestige.
Early in the coming session compre
hensve plan for the reorganization of tn,
officers of all corps of the navy Will b'
presented to congress, and hope 1t will
meet with action suited to its urgency.
Owing to the necessity for economy II
expenditures, I have directed the curtail
ment of recommendations for naval ap
propriations so that they are thirty-eigh
millions less than the corresponding es
Inmates of last year. and the request TO
new naval construction Is limited to tw,
first-class battleships and one repair yes
sell
Mr. Taft urges upon congress tina
the naval observatory he dedicated t.
science under control of some emf
nent astronomer.
Expedition in Legal Procedure.
The deplorable delays n the admins
tration of civil and criminal law have re
ceived the attention of committees of tn
American Bar association and of man.
state bar associations, as well IS the con
sidered thought OF judges and jurists. Il
my judgment change In judicial pro
cedure, with view to reducing its ex
pense to private litigants in civil case
and facilitating the dispatch OF busines
and final decision in both civil and Grim
inal cases constitutes the greatest nee
in our American institutions. I do no
doubt for one moment that much of tn
lawless violence and cruelty exhibite