The Detroit times., 1910-12-07
resident Taft's Message


electric power. both rental and rates TO
be readiusted eauttably every ten years
| by arbitration or otherwise very suit :
| able provisions against assignment 10
prevent monopolistic combinations, or, |
that the law shall provide that upon !
| application made by the authorities OF
the state where tn ewater power site
10 situated. IL may be patented TO the
state ON condition that the state snail
dispose OF IL under terms like those
lust described, AMI shall enforce those
terms, or, upon failure To comply with
the condition. the water power site and
all the plant and Improvement on tie
site shall be forfeited and revert TO the /
United States. the president being
given power to declare the forfeiture
and to direct legal proSe ,n LOT las
would. 1 think. accomplish the proper
public purpose IN respect 10 water
power sites, but one or the other shouid
be promptly adopted.
earnestly urgs upon congress tnat
at this session general conservation
Legislation OF the character inuIcated
be adopted. Al it's last session TINS
congress took most useful ana proper
steps In the cause OF conservation ty
allowing the executive, through VIII
drawals, to suspend the action OF the
existing laws in respect TO much Oh si.e
public domain. 4 have not thousht ,hat
,he danger or disposing coal JANUS AZ,
the United states under ans p' sTeat
AZ to call for their withdraWhi' pS
cause under the present provisions IL
IL reasonably certain that me so,e,hh
ment viii receive the real value OF the
land. But. In respect TO OIL lanus, "r
phosphate lands. and OF gas lands IN
the United States. and III respect 70
coal lands In Alaska, l have exercised
the fun power OF withdrawn Win the
hope that the action OF congress- wouiu
follow promptly and prevent that "
ing up OF the resources OF the country |
In the western and less settled portion
and In Alaska, which means stagnauoh
and retrogression.
The question OF conservation IL hot
partisan one, and / sincerely hope that
even in tile short time OF the present |
session consideration may be given 10
those questions which have now been
much discussed and that nction may
be taken upon them.
Alaska.
am convinced that the migratory |
character OF the population, Its uh- |
equal distribution, and its smallness OF
number, which the new census shows
TO be about $4,000. In relation 10 the
enormous eNpause of the territory, |
make II altogether impracticable 20
give to those people who are In Alaska
today and may not be there year |
hence. the power to elect leslsla'u,e
TO govern immense territory 10
which they have a relation 80 Httie |
permanent. Ii Is far better for the ue-
velopment OF the territory 'hat 1t De
committed To a commission 10 be APP |
pointed by the executive.
have been asked to recommend That
the credit OF the government be eN-
roads in Alaska. l am not ready now
to do 50. A great many millions OF dol |
airs have already been expended In the |
construction OF at least two railroads.
and IL laws be passed providing FOR the |
proper development OF the resources OF
ALASKA. especially for the opening UP |
of the coal lands. l bcISye that me
rapitaI already invested Will induce the
Investment OF more capital, suHicient !
no complete the railroads building, and
10 furnish cheap coal not only To Alas-
E.aN - he ta.tl. al 40
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The report OF the secretary of asri- !
culture invites attention 10 the stu
pendous value OF the agricultural pro-
ducts OF this country. amounting IN all
to $8,926, GOO. 900 for this year This |
amount rs larger than that of 1903 by
y305, 000, 900. The existence of such
crop Indicates "A good prospect Tor Dust
ness throughout the country.
The report contains a most interest |
ing account OF the activities of the de- |
partment in its various bureaus, snow
png how closely the agricultural prog
ress In this country is following along |
the Hines OF Improvement recommended
by the department through it, publica.
lions and the results OF its eNperiment
citations In every state, and by the IN
structions given through the aRri'u'- I
tural schools aided by the federal gov
ernment and following the general cur
ficulum urged by the head and bureau !
hiefs OF she department.
Forest service.
l have already referred 10 the for |
ests OF the United States and their eA-
lent. and have urged. as | do again. |
the removal or tn elimitation upon the
bower OF the executive TO reserve other !
tracts OF land In six western states in |
which withdrawal for this purpose is
now forbidden. The secretary OF agri- |
culture gives very fun description OF |
the disastrous fires that occurred dur |
ng the last summer in tie national
forests.
The damage dore was not due to the !,
ack OF an appropriation by congress
available to meet the emergency, hut !
he difficulty OF hghting 1T lay IN the |
remote POINTS where the fires began
and where IL was Impossible with the |
loads and trails as they now exist :
promptly TO reach them. Proper pro- /
ection necessitetes, as the secretary !
points out the expenditure OF good |
Teal more money in the development OF
Dads and trails In the forests. the es-
[atlishmeDt OF lookout stations, and |
telephone connection between them ana |
places where assistance can be secured |
The amount OF reforestation shown In 1
he report OF the forest service--only |
Aboyt $1,000 acres as compared with the /
80 millions OF acres OF national forestss
seems small. and am glad TO note |
hat In this regard the secretary OF
agriculture and the chief of the forest |
bervice are looking forward 10 far |
greater activity In the use Of available |
government land for this purpose.
bureau of Light-Houscs.
Tne OF the lIEl
board has effected a very considerable
having in the administration, and the |
Estimates for that service for the pres |
INT year are s42s.000 less than for the |
preceding year.
Bureau OF Corporations.
The commissioner OF corporations has
lust completed the first part OF n re- |
bort on the lumber industry in the |
United States. This part does not treat !
BIZ the question OF a trust or combina-
ion In the manufacture OF lumber. |
kubject to be dealt with later. The |
commissioned does find however. con- !
hilton In the ownership Of the standing !
inb OF the United States. other than |
|he government timber, that calls for |
FERROUS attention. The direct investiga- !
ion made by the commissioner covered /
In area which contains 80 per cent OF
he Irivntely-owned timber of the coun- !
~. His report shows that one-half OF ,
he timber In this area is owned by |
Zoo individuals and corporations that /
Ter cent IL owned by corporations. !
md that there is very extensive inter- !
ownership of stock. as well az other ]
circumstances. all pointing TO friendly !
citations among those no own ma
ority of this timber. relationship !
which might lead TO combination for !
he maintenance OF a orice that would /
be very detrimental to the public in
crest and would create th enecessity 1
BIZ removing all tariff obstacles to the /
rec importations OF lumber rom other !
Countries
Bureau OF Labor.
The commissioner OF la Dor has been !
etiveiy engaged in composing the diff :
-.