Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-12-06
HRD. HOPKINS, Prop, 81 Great Jones SIr't, H~rat

the volunteer forces in the event of
war.
have directed that the estimates
for appropriation for the improvh-
ment of coast defenses in the United
states should be reduced to mini
mum. while those for the completion
of the needed Notifications at Cor
regidor. In the Philippines. and Pearl
Harbor, in the Hawaiian Islands,
should be expedited as much as pos
sible. The Pacific naval base has
been transferred to Pearl Harbor, in
the Hawaiian islands.
This necessitates the heavy forti"
fications of the harbor and the es-
tablishment Of an important military
station near Honolulu, urge that all
the estimates made by the war depart
ment for these purposes be approved
by congressional appropriation.
The president refers to the pros
perlty and growing trade of the Phil
ippines and Porto Rico, especially rec.
ommending the speedy enactment of
pending measures for the government
of the latter island.
Panama Canal.
At the instance of Colonel Goeth-
ais, the. army engineer, officer in
charge of the work on the Panama
canal, l have just made a visit to the
Isthmus to inspect the work done, and
to consult with him on the question
OF certain problems which are likely
arise in the near future. The pro-
gress OF the work is most satisfac-
tory. II no unexpected obstacle pre-
sents itself, the canal will be COM
pleted we'll Within the time fixed by
congress, to-wit, January /, 1915,
and within hn estimated cost Of $375,-
900, 900.
Among questions arising for pres
ent solution is the decision whether
the canal shall be fortified. have
already stated to Tho congress that l
strongly favor fertilization, and now
relterate this opinion, and ask your
consideration of the subject in the
light OF the report already before
you, made by compeent board.
II, In your discretion, we believe
modern Notifications to be necessary
to the adequate protection and polio
ing OF the canal, then it\is our duty
TO construct them. We have built
the cnal II is our property. 1t is
also well-known that one of the chief
objects IN the construction of the
canal has been to increase the mill
tary ef1activeness OF our navy. Fail
ure TO fortify the canal would leave us
in the possession of rights we would
be powerless to enforce.
In determining what the tolls
should be, we certainly ought not to
insist that, for good many years to
come, they should amount to enough
to pay the interest on the invest
ment, of $500, 100000, which the
United States has made in the con-
struction of the canal. The benefit
to be derived by the United States
from this expenditure is not to be
measured solely by a return upon the
investment.
In addition to the benefit OF our nav
al strength. the canal greatly increas-
es the trade facilities OF the United
States. IL will undoubtedly cheaper
the rates OF transportation in all
freight between the Eastern and West
ern seaboard, and It will greatly In
crease that trade by reason OF the
reduction in its costs.
In all these cases the question
whether the Panama canal is to be
used and its tonnage increased will be
determined mainly by the charge for
its use. My own impression is that
the tolls ought not to exceed 81 per
net ton. On the whole. should rec
ommend that within certain limits
the president be authorized to Ak the
tolls Of the canal and to adjust them
TO what he believes to be a CONNER
cial necessity.
The president recommends that
owing to the importance OF the Gu
nal to the U. S, navy. the government
should take over the furnishing. moi
only to the navy. but to the public, OF
drydock and repair shop facilities
and the sale of coal, oil and othei
ship supplies.
He adds:
cannot close this reference to th'
canal without suggesting as q wis'
amendment to the interstate com
merce law provision prohibiting in
terstate commerce railroads from
owning or controlling ships engages
in the trade through the Panama ca
nal. biaieve such a provision ma.
be needed TO save the people OF tn
u. S, the benefits OF the competition
in trade between the eastern and ives
ern seaboards.
Department OF Justice.
Tha dntias of the department o