The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-27
Many Live Subjects Are to Be Presented to Congress
SOME LAWS NEED CHANGING
fcations and Currency Reform May Take Lead in the Work
 for Congress

Washington. November 26.-(Special)- By subtraction and addition, President Taft has framed his annual message to Congress. He has subtracted all the fea- lures of his original legislative pro- gramme which were enacted into law at the long session ending June 25, from tue primal draft and again recommends the remainder. To these have been added all such matters of importance as changed political conditions make apparent cir cumstances developed during the recess. The Presidents annual message was whipped together during his trip to and from the Panama canal zone. As now framed up the President will recommend:
 Fertilization of the Panama canal. The minimum sum of $4. GOO will be required for the purpose. Such enlargement or the antitrust laws as will permit traffic agreements between interstate railroads, subject to the approval of the interstate commerce commission.
 Then federal incorporation of all con cerns doing an interstate business. This may await definite advice from the cases which the commission Is now inquring into. Entering wedge legislation to sub sdize ship-carrying malls. No specific plan will be urged and an initial outlay of from s5000.00o to sl0000,0o0 year will be thankfully regarded as meeting pres ent requirements.
 Reformation of the currency to elimi- nate existing defects in the banking and monetary laws.
 Revision of Tariff
 Revision of the tariff, following recom- .mendaton made by the tariff board and taken up schedule by schedule.
 The establishment of reciprocal rela- tons between the United States and Can ada, based upon the tariff.
 Making effective the general conserva- tion policy recommended a year ago.
 All the original programme will be re- stored with special emphasis upon the necessity of the laws of sale. or leasing Of coal. gas oil or phosphate lands be- longing to the United States. It is pre- ferred that the government retain own ership of such lands and derive snare of the profits resulting from the develop ment A codification and equalization of laws relating to injunctions. A new form of civil government for Alaska
 Drastic laws by which all interstate railroads may be compelled to adopt effective safety appliances for the pro- lection of passengers and employees
 A suitable sum, estimated at not less than $1,000,000 for equipping the army and navy with the most improved air ships.
 The fedaral inspection of railroad locomotive boilers to meet the desires of employees. Also a law to limit the size of cars and barring side and over head constructions, thus preventing many serious accidents.
 Classified Service
 The further extension of the classi- fled service so that alF patronage will be removed from senators and repre- sentatives and the working force of the government placed on merit basis. This includes second and third class postmasters, collectors of customs, sur veyors of customs and appraisers
 Government control of wireless teleg- raphy. to prevent amateurs from in terfe ring with the handling of official commulfca tions.
 These with mass of the other rec concentrations, will be labelled pro gressiveis programme. It will be in tended as notification. to the insurgents in both branches of Congress actively to participate In legislation and do their utmost to obtain legislation along lines of reform. It will not appeal to the. regular leaders, such as Aldrich and Hale. who will not recognize the insurgents except in cases of dire ne- cessity f{
 majority of the important sugges- tions are made solely to carry out the sappearance of seeking 10 redeem the party pledges incorporated in the Chi icago platform. but with no hope that anything definite will be accomplished in that direction The President real izes that he cannot expect any tarin legislation at the short session. He Aoes not anticipate that pop-gun bill affecting the wool or cotton sched- 'ule can be passed. His only 1dea IS lot lon, fn up the custom of party regularity.
 Antitrust Laws
 The President will not insist on enaci- ments amending the Sherman antitrust law, or ask them for federal incorpora- ton of all interstate corporations until after the supreme court has handed down decisions in the pending Standard oil and Tobacco trust cases. He prefers to have. the matter remain latent until the opinions of the highest court indicate what changes are required The Presi- dent is quite hopeful that reciprocity treaty with Canada. may be ratified by the Senate and acquiesced in by the House. Such convention will be framed up by the state department and submit ted. The concurrence of the House IS needed because certain changes will be made In tariff rates and all revenue-pro7 ducing measures mustJbe approved by that body.
 Position of Insurgents
 The President will make a pet of that feature relating to fortifcation of the Panama canal In so doing he will meet strenuous resistance at the doorstep, as Representative Tawney, chairman of the House appropriations committee, insists that the canal should be commercial artery and not waterway He will in- sist that no money be expended in forti- fications either now or hereafter
 The insurgents do not want any tam pering with the Sherman antitrust law and will fight against any suggestion for amending it.
 At the same time they will not permit any legislation by which traffic agree ments may be Iegalized. They do not approve of subsidizing ships and will fight to the end against the central bank of issue scheme. Materially increased sums for fitting out the army and navy with the best types of modern airshps will probably. be allowed
 All the recent experiments and devel- opments have shown the necessity for this government keeping pace with the times. The programmes of foreign na- ' tions arc such as to impress upon Con-