Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-12-09
PRESIDENT SENDS
IN MESSAGE
No Immediate Tariff Revision
His Advice.
FoRTIFlCAT|oN OF CANAL
Mr.. Taft Stands Pat on Antitrust
Laws-Calls For UpbuiIding of Mer-
chant Marine-Urges Ship Subsidy.

Laws-caIIs For UpbuiIding of Mer.
chant Marine-Urges Ship 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
I 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
reassuring to business. The time has
come, in the presidents opinion, when
congress can pause from legislating
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 presi-
dent recommends that the present
tariff board be put on a permanent
basis, independent of politics. The
president makes no recommendation
for the amendment of the Sherman
antitrust law and only one or two
of minor importance for amendment
of the interstate commerce act. He is,
however, in favor of the physical val
uation of railroads by the interstate
commerce commission and the pas
sage of a national incorporation act for
Industrial and other companies.
The following are the other promi-
nent features of the message:
Conservation.-The president urges
conservation legislation at this ses-
sion. He asks power to withdraw more
forest lands in six western states. The
message urged leasing government
coal. phosphate and oil lands with pro-
vision for readjusting rental and roy.
alties 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 SINH
lar restrictions as in coal lands, and
with conditions to regulate rates or
thatsthe sites be patented to states to
be leased in similar manner, providing
that they be forfeited to federal gov
ernment if conditions are violated He
will treat reclamation projects In a
special message.
Tariff.-Mr. Taft declares there will
be no chance for revising the tariff
before the next congress. He opposes
any general revision, whether done
under the policy of protection or not.
He wants a permanent tariff commits
sion, SO "ny revision can be based on
a non-p ..tisan ascertaining of facts.
He declares the new law a model for
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 out danger of lumber monop-
oily which may necessitate free trade
in lumber.
Alaska.-The president favors the
commission form of government for
Alaska and declares against govern
ment aid in developing railroads.
Labor.-Mr. Taft disapproves of the
pending eight-hour-day bill, but asks
that the present law be enlarged to
include work on ships, armor and large
guns. He urges the passage of the
pending Moon injunction and favors
laws for the inspection of locomotive
boilers and the enlargement of dan.
gerous clearances.
Classified Service.-The message ad-
vocates legislation to place in the clas-
sif1ed service all local offices under the
departments of justice, treasury, post
Office, interior and commerce and la
Dor. the president believing this would
aid the cause of efficient government
and of better politics. He specially re-
commends that all first, second and
third class postmasters be placed in
the classified service, and urges that
the Office Of naval officer of the 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 safeguard
against desperate and irresponsible
enemy" and advocates an amendment
to the interstate commerce laws to
prevent railroads from owning or con-
trolling ships in the trade through the
canal. He wants the government to