The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-06
MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS.
Bureau Of Health-Public Parks.
Imperial Valley Project.


In my message of last year 1 recon-
msnded the creation Of bureau OF
health in which should be embraced
all those government agencies outside
of the war and navy departments
which are now directed toward the
preservation of public health or exer-
else functions germane to that subject
renew this recommendation.
greatly regret that the agitation in IA
vor of this bureau has aroused a coun-
ter agitation against its creation on
the ground that the establishment Of
such a bureau is to be in the interest
of a particular school of medicine. 1t
seems to me that this assumption is
wholly unwarranted and that those
responsible for the government can be
trusted to secure in the personnel Of
the bureau the appointment of repre-
sentatives of all recognized schools of
medicine and in the management of
the bureau entire freedom from mar
TOW prejudice in this regard
Ths imperial Valley Project.
BY an act passed by congress the
president was authorized to expend a
million dollars to construct the needed
work to prevent injury to the lands of
the Imperial valley from the overflow
of the Colorado river. I appointed a
competent engineer to examine the 10
cality and to report a plan for con-
struction- He has done so. In order
70 complete the work 1t is necessary
to secure the consent Of Mexico, for
part of the work must be constructed
in Mexican territory.
Negotiations looking to the securing
of such authority are quite near sue
cess. The Southern Pacific Railroad
company proposes to assist US in the
work by lending equipment and by the
transportation of material at cost
price, and it is hoped that the work
may be completed before any danger
shah arise from the spring foods In
the river The work is being done I'M
der the supervision of the secretary of
the interior and his consulting en-
gineer, General Marshall, late chief of
engineers, now retired.
This leads me to invite the attention
OF congress TO the claim made by the
Southern Pacific Railroad company for
an amount expended In a similar work
Of relief called for by food and great
emergency. This work, as I am in
formed, was undertaken at the request
of my predecessor and under promise
TO reimburse the railroad company. 1t
seems to me the equity of this claim is
manifest, and the only question involv-
ed is the reasonable value of the work
done. recommend the payment of
the claim In a sum found to be Just.
District of Columbia.
The government Of the District of
Columbia is a good government The
police force, while perhaps it might be
given or acquire more military disci-
pine In bearing and appearance, is new
ertheless an efficient body of men, free
from graft, and discharges its impor-
tant duties in this capital of the nation
effectively. The parks and streets OF
the city and the District are generally
kept clean and in excellent condition
The commissioners Of the Distric;
have it's affairs well in hand and
while not extravagant, are constantly
looking to those municipal improve
ments that are expensive, but thai
must be made in a modern growing
THY AIAG w w Lille I'LL IuH
Is true, nevertheless the fact tha
Washington is governed by congress:
and that the citizens are not response
BILE and have no direct control through
popular election in District matters
properly subjects the government t.
Inquiry and criticism by its citizens
manifested through the public pres.
and otherwise, such criticism should
command the careful attention of con
Eress. Washington is the capital O.
be nation, and its maintenance as ;
great and beautiful city under nation
al control every lover of his cOuntr!
has much at heart, and it should pre-
sent in every way q model in respec
Of @Acnomy of expenditure. of santa
aon, of tenement reform, of thorough
public instruction. of the proper regu
alton of public utilities. of sensibl
ind extended charities, of the prope
.are of criminals and of youth needing
eform, OF healthful Fairgrounds ans
opportunity for popular recreation and
4 beautiful system Of parks. 1 an