The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1910-12-16
ECONOMY IS URGED
IN TAFT MESSAGE
PRESIDENT POINTS OUT NECES-
SlTY OF CURTAlLiNG ExPEN.
SEES TO LAWMAKERS.
ANNUAL DOCUMENT IS READ
Conservation, Ship Subsidy and For
LITIGATION Of Panama Canal Lead
ing Topics Discussed-Aas
Little to Say About Tariff.

Little to Say About Tariff.
Washington, Dec. ~6.-Economy In
government affairs is the keynote of
President Taft's annual message read
before both houses of congress today.
The message apprOximates 10000
words and is one of the longest ever
submitted by a president.
Conservation of the public domain,
ship subsidy. fortification of the Pana-
ma canal and the continuation of the
present tariff board are the leading
subjects touched upon. He also re-
views the work of the various gov
eminent departments and cOncurs in
recommendation, tending toward the
lettering of the service, made by sew
eral of the members Of his cabinet.
Economy Is Urged.
In dwelling on the urgent need for
economy in government expenditures, the
president says: Every effort has been
made by each department chief to reduce
the estimated cost of his department for
the ensuing fiscal year ending June 80.
1912. l say this in order that congress
may understand that these estimates thus
made present the smallest sum which will
maintain the departments, bureaus and
offices of the government and meet its
other obligations under existing law, and
that a cut Of these estimates would re-
suit in embarrassing the executive branch
of the government in the performance of
Its duties. This remark does not apply
to the river and harbor estimates. except
to those for expenses of maintenance and
the meeting of obligations under author
lied contracts. nor does it apply to the
public building bill nor to the navy build
ing program. OF course. as to these con-
gress could withhold any part or all Of
the estimates for them without interfer-
ing with the discharge of the ordinary OBJ
legations Of these functions Of it's depart
ments. bureaus and offices.
Against the estimates of expenditures
sGt0. 494. Ola. T., we have estimated receipts
for next year $3.50 0, 600. making a proba-
BILE surplus of ordinary receipts over or
binary expenditures of about $50, 900 900, or
taking into account the estimates for the
Panama canal. which are $50 92o,S4 SO. and
which will ultimately be paid in bonds.
1t will leave a deficit for the next year OF
about $1,000, 900, if congress shall conclude
to fortify the canal"
Wants Forest Limitation Removed.
On the subject Of conservation he de-
votes considerable space to forest, coal,
oil and gas, phosphate lands and water
power sites. AS to the reservation Of
forest lands he saws: 9Th law now pro-
hibits the reservation of any more forest
lands in Oregon. Washington, Idaho,
Montana. Colorado and Wyoming. except
by act of congress. I am informed by the
department Of agriculture that the gov
eminent owns other tracts OF timber land
in these states which should be included
In tho forest reserves. I recommend to
congress that the limitation herein i'm
posed be repealed.
Congress ought to trust the executive
to use the power Of reservation only with
respect to land most valuabl for forest
purposes. During the present administra-
ton, $3.50 coo acres of land largely nom
t1mbered have been excluded from forest
reserves. and 3.5n0.nW acres Of land prin-
ciDallv valuable for forest purposes have
been included in forest reserves. making
a reduction in forest reserves Of nom
timbered land amounting to 2,75O, 600
acres"
Wants Canal Fortified.
Regarding the Panama canal. the presi-
Dent asserts that unless uneXpected OBJ
stacles arise the waterway will be COM
pleted we'll within time limit of Janu-
arv I. 1915, and within estimate of cost,
So. 90 1000. SUGGESTIONS for levying Of
was oIi' iid'iiS'tIltIll are HIitt ana re-
garding fertilization Of the canal, he
says:
among questions arising for present
solution is the decision whether the canal
shall be fortified. I have already stated
to the congress that I strongly favor for
and 7 now reitcrate this opin-
Ion n ask your consideration Of the
subject in the light of the report already
before you made by a competent board.
'Faiinre to fortify the canal would
leave the attainment Of both these aims
in the position of rights and obligations
which we should be powerlcss to enforce
and which could never in any way be alb
solutely safeguarded against a desperate
and irresponsible enemy"
Ship Subsidy.
The president urges such action as he
believes will increase American trade
abroad. and says:
"AnOther fundamentally ndispensable
to the ~unhampered and natural deyelon-
ment Of American commerce is merchant
marine. All maritime and commercial ma
tons recognize the Importance of this
factor. The greatest commercial nations.
our competitors. jealousy foster their
the need for rapid and direct mail. pas
senger and freight communication quite
so urgent as between the United States
and Latin America. We can secure in no
other quarter OF the world such imme-
date benefits in friendship and com
merce as would flow from the establish
ment Of direct lines Of communication
with the countries of Latin America ade-
quate to meet the requirements of a ran
div increasing appreciation Of the reci-
procal dependence Of the countries Of the
western hemisphere upon each others
products. ~sympathies and assistance.
II alluded to this most important sub
ject in my last annual message; it has