Democratic messenger., 1910-12-10
PRESIDENT SENDS
IN MESSAGE
No Immediate Tariff Revision
His Advice.
FORTIFICATION OF CANAL
Mr.. Taft Stands Pat on Antitrust
Laws-calls For Upbuilding Of Mer.
chant Marine-urges Ship Subsidy.

chant Marine-Orges snip SUBSIDY
The most striking feature Of Presi
dent Taft's second annual message.
which was sent to congress on Tues
day, is his announcement that he has
invited expressions from the other
powers OF the world on the proposition
of limiting armaments by international
agreement.
The general tone Of the message is
reassurlng to business The time has
come. In the presidents opinion. when
congress can pause from legislatng
for the regulation OF corporations and
the restraint OF business and watch the
effect Of the laws already on the stat.
ute books. The activities OF the gov
ernment he says. should be directed
toward economy of administration and
enlargement OF opportunities for for
| eign trade, the upbuilding OF home in
dustries and the strengthening OF the
confidence Of capital in domestic in
vestment.
There will be no tariff revision upon
the presidents recommendation in the
present session and probably not until
| the meeting OF the Sixty.second con.
gress in December. 1911. The prcsi
dent recommends that the present
tariff board be put on n permanent
basis independent of politics. The
president makes no recommendation
for the amendment of the Sherman
anti.trust law and only one or two
ol minor Importance for amendment
OF the interstate commerce act. He Is,
however, in favor of the physical val
aation OF railroads by the inte staie
| commerce commission and tlc pas
sage Of national incorporation act for
| industrial and other companies.
The following are the other promi
oent features OF the message:
Conseryation.--The president urges
conservation legislation at this ses-
sion. lie asks power to withdraw more
forest lands in six western states TIE
message urged leasing goyernment nt
coal phosphate and oil lands with pro-
vision for readjusting rental ana roy
Glties and with conditions to prevent
monopoly. He asks to separate phOs
| phate deposits from the surface The
message recommends regarding water
power sites either that they be leased
| by the federal government with simi-
lar restrictions as in coal lands, and
with conditions to regulate rates or
that the sites be patented TO states 10
be leased in similar manner. providing
/ that they be forfeited 10 federal gov
crnment II conditions are violated. He
will treat reclamation projects In
/ special message.
Tarif.-Mr Taft declares there will
be no chance for revising the tariff
before the next congress. He Oppose
any general revision, whether done
under the policy Of protection or not
| He wants a permanent tariff commits.
sion. so any revision can be basel on
a non-partisan ascertaining Of facts.
| He declares the new law a model Tor
obtaining revenue and praises the cor
poration tax features. He hopes for
reciprocity with Canada.
Ship Subsidy The president recon.
mends strongly some form Of ship sub
sidy especially to South America.
Lumber Monopoly. The message
points ont danger Of a lumber monop-
oily which may necessitate free trade
in lumber.
Alaska.-The president fayors tho
commission form of government Tor
Alaska and declares against govern
ment aid IN developing railroads
I.ahorMr. Taft disapproves Of the
pending oight.hour.day bill. but asks
that the present law be enlarged 10
include work on ships. armor and large
guns lie urges the passage OF the
pending Moon injunction and favors
laws Tor the inspection of locomotive
boilers and the enlargement of dan
gerous clcarances.
| Classified Service. The message ad
yocates legislation TO place in the elias
siiied service all local offices under the
departments Of justice, treasury, post.
Office. interior and commerce ami Ia
bor the president believing this would
aid the cause OF efficient government
and OF better politics. He specially r..
commends that all first. second and
third class postmasters be placed IN
the classified service and urges that
the office Of naval officer CT thu port
be abolished and that many small Gus
toms districts be done away with
Panama Canal-Mr Taft urges for
tification of the canal as a safeguard
against desperate and irresponsible
enemy" and advocates an amendment
TO the interstate commerce laws 10
prevent railroads from owning or con
trolling ships in the trade through the
canal He wants the goyernmcn; to
maintain drydocks. coaling stations
and repair shops.
Postal Affairs The message advo
Gates establishing parcels post in con.
nection with the rural free delivery
and the extension of the postal banks
Mr. Tart believes the postal deficit will
be wiped ont this fiscal wear. ana be
urges that th' ni class mail rate
on magazines sod.