Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-06
Congress Listens to Read
ing in PerfunCtory
Manner.
TIME SHORT TO ACT
Presidents Tone Decidedly
Standpat-WouId Delay
Changing Tariff.

Washington. Dec 6.-Congress gave
respectful attention TO the presidents
message today. but there were compar-
atively few members willing TO con
cede the probability of favorable &C
ton at the present session on many Of
the recommendations. The general
opinion was time would not permit OF
action in view of the fact the session
will close March 4. The message was
delivered to both houses soon after
they convened at noon, the usual CcrG-
monies being observed.
Attention soon 3.ags.
The reading was begun at 1913 in
the senate. At first most of the sena-
tors listened attentively. but gradually
this attention ceased on the part of
most of them and those who remained
in the chamber devoted themselves "a
the printed copies before them.
In the house close attention at first
was paid TO the reading clerk. Inter
est soon Jagged. however, and those
who remained in their seats did 80 10
study the printed copies placed on
every desk.
Features of Message.
The outstanding features of Prcsi-
ient Taft's. message are these:
He declares it * time to stop leEis-
atinc with reference to regulation Of
corporations and % witness the effect
Of a vigorous execution of the laws
aready on the statute books. The eX-
act Imitation upon business methods
imposed by law will doubtless be madc
clearer by pending decisions of the
supreme court ------4s=s-=--I-' = es=f
Just at this time, the president says, |
he believes the activities of the gov
ernme1t. in addition to enforcement of
the laws, should be directed toward
economy of administration. the en-
Iargement of opportunities for foreign
trade, the building up of home indus
try and the strengthening Of conf
dence OF capital in domestic invest
ment
FayorS ship Subsidy.
Mr. Taft recommends strongly some
form of ship subsidy to increase Amer
lean shipping especially to South
America.
The tariff board Is not ready to sub
tliL Il TtpOiI OLl any VI JiiC 'NAiCNANA'S
Of the Payne law, and Mr. Taft says
he WI not recommend any tariff legi5-
lation until the new congress con-
venes in December, 1911.
He urges that the tariff board be
made permanent and that all future
revisions be made schedule by sched-
Ule. He vigorously opposes another
general revision.
The Panama canal should by all
means he fortified. An appropriation
of $4,000, 900 is recommended for this
purpose.
No More Pork Barrel.
There must be no more pork bar
rel'' methods in river and harbor and
public building bills. The latter
should be based upon the report of
commission of experts. In the past
congress has appropriated too much f.
for buildings not needed and not
enough for buildings badly needed /
Recommendation for anti-injunction
and federal Incorporation laws are re-
newed
It is proposed that second class
mail rates shall be re-adjusted so as
to charge magazines a much higher /
rate n their advertising sections.
Strong representations are made for /
the establishment of a new banking
and currency system.
Two new battIeships and several
auxiliary vessels are urged for the ,
navy.
Would Lease Mineral Lands
The president recommends that
COAL phosphate and oil lands and va
ter power sites be disposed of in the
future by leasing.
Estimates for government expendi-
lures during the next fiscal year have
been cut to $3.50. 1914, ,O13.12, which is
$52, ,964. .SS7.36 less than the actual ap-
propriGtions for the current year. The
estimated receipts for the next fiscal
year are s6S0,O0O,0OO.
The president urges the extension
of the civil service principle to the
acquisition by the government of resi-
dences and Offices for its diplomatic
officers.
Sor1e criticisms of the Payne tariff
act are just, says the president, but
more are unfounded
There should be more officers for
lhe army. The engineer corps should
be increased by sixty.
The Notifications at Corregidor is
land Manila bay and at Pearl harbor,
Hawaii, should be carried TO early
comrletion.
No Reason for Canal Delay.
Regarding the Panama canal the
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