Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-12-10
PRESIDENT SENDS
IN MESSAGE
10 immediate Tariff Revision
His Advice.
FORTIFICkTIOR OF CANAL

Mr.. Taft Stands Pat on Antitrust
Lsws-calls For UpbuHdine Of Mer-
chant Marine-Ursss Ship Subsidy.
The most striking feature or Presi
dent Taft's second annual message
which was sent 90 congress on Tues
daJ, is his announcement that he has
Invited expressions from the other
powers OF the world on the proposition
OF limiting armameuts by international
agreement.
The general tone OF the message IS
reaSsurinE 90 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
eject ~ the laws already on the stat
ute books. The activities OF the gov
eminent he says. should be directed
toward economy Of administration and
enlargement OF opportunities for for
eign trade. the upbuildinE OF home In
dustrles and the strengthening OF the
confidence OF capital ia domestic in
vestment
There Will Dee no tariff revision upon
the presidents recommendation in the
present session and probably not until
the meeting OF the Sixty-second con
gross in December. 1911. The prcsi
dent recommends that the present
tariff board Dee 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
or 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:
Conscryation-The president urges
conservation legislation az this SEES
sion. lie asks power 90 withdraw more
forest lands in six western states. The
message urged leasing government
coal. phosphate ana oil lands with pro
vision for rcadjusting rental and roy
II
monopoly. Tic asks 90 separate phos
plate deposits from the surface. The
message recommends regarding water
power sites either that they De leased
by the federal government with SINH
lar restrictions as In coal lands. and
with conditions 60 regulate rates or
that the sites Dee patented % states 20
Toe leased In similar manner. providing
that they be forfeited 20 federal gov
eminent II conditions are violated. lie
VIII 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. 50 any revision can be based on
a non-partisan 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 20
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 clearanccs.
Classified Service.-The message sd
vocates legislation 10 place in the elias
sified 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 pustmasters 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 Canai.-Mr. Taft urges for
tificatiOn OF the canal as a safeguard
against a 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
maintain drydocks, cOaling stations
and repair shops.
Postal Affairs.-The message advo-
Gates establishing parcels post in con
nection with the rural free delivery
and the extension OF the postal banks.
Mr.. Taft believes the postal deficit win