The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-12-07
MANY IMPORTANT MEASURES
Considered In q Safe and Sane Manner
In the Preaident's MeHAAEe Read
to COnErexs Tuesday

Washington. .. C.. Dec. demand
ing the restoration of the American
flag TO its ancient place upon the seas.
President Taft. in his annual message
delivered to Congress yesterday. urged
strongly that legislation be enacted
to establish ship subsidy or other
wise guarantee the establishment OF
the rapid development Of merchant
marine in this country. The message
might be summed up in the following
trinity:
National economy. the enlargement
Of opportunities for foreign trade and
the Strengthening OF confidence OF
capital in domestic investment. The
entire message is a "safe and sane
document, strong in its conservatism.
The presidents most urgent recon-
mendation is in favor OF legislation
for the institution of a mercantile
marine service and possibilities for its
expansion before the Panama canal is
finished and one paragraph of the
speech in this connection reads:
Il alluded to this most important
subject in my last annual message.
Unless prompt action be taken the
completion of the Panama canal will
find this the only great commercial
nation unable to avail in international
maritime business Of his great contri-
button to the means of the worlds
commercial intercourse. Where could
we find in case of war the transports
and subsidiary vessels without which
naval fleet is arms without a body?
For many reasons l cannot urge too
strongly upon this Congress the pas
sage of a measure by mail subsidy or
other invention to develop the Amer
lean marine"
Next in the rank of Importance and
urged only a little less strongly than
the plea for a merchant marine is the
demand for the trained fighting force
. Of the United States be increased by
laws augmenting the number Of COM
missioned officers and through closer
cooperation between the national
guards of the various states and the
regular standing army.
The president urges the fortification
OF the Panama canal declaring that
America is building it and that it is
fitting that America should protect it.
Mr.. Taft is anxious that the canal be-
come a paying enterprise. suggesting
! that the toll of one dollar per net ton
be charged ships passing through.
President Taft takes a strong stand
| in the matter Of disposing Of public
lands bearing coal, urging that the
government not sell these valuable
mineral tracts but lease portions Of
! the public domain containing 1OO0.-
900 100000 tons Of coal. Mr.. Taft de-
clares in favor of making $500 acres
the maximum. He frankly admits
that Secretary Ballinger of the inter-
! Tor opposes this plan: having set forth
his objections in his annual report.
| The president believes that Congress
ought to prohibit interstate commerce
railroads from owning or controlling
ships doing a business through the
canal. such a course being urged to
save the people of the United States
the benefit of legitimate competition
This enactment must come sooner OF
later. the president points out.
The president deplores the abuse OF
the postal franking privilege which Is
annually costing, the country millions
and demands that Congress take steps
/ to check it.
Declaring that the poor man has nc
show in the courts against q rich op-
ponent. Mr.. Taft strongly urges tha,
. changes be made in American cour,
procedure, especially in the APPELLATE
system.
include the following:
The abolition of pork barrel" meth
DDS in appropriating money for thu
construction of public buildings ant
the institution Of a commission to In
vestigate the necessity. of building:
and report to Congress-: increase O
tariff commission from three member.
to five: that Congress honor Com
mander Peary for discovering tn,
North Pole: conservation laws to saw
forests from natural and human raw
ages immediate institution Of parcel
, posts: steps to aid the proposed negr,
exposition to celebrate the granting O
} freedom: wider powers for the Inter
state Commerce Commission.
President Taft defends the Payne
Aldrich tariff but declares that he will
> likely send a message to the next Con
gress asking further revision