Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-06
The Message.

TO the observation-whicl will be gen
eral-that the message is long comes the
pat repIy-Which will be as general-tbat
the President had a good deal to say, and
that the country was expecting something
from him on a number Of important
topics. He has met this expectation in a
readable paper, and one that in the main
should have good effect on conditions in
general. This should be true even if the
time of Congress should prove too short
Tor the adoption of but a few of the
Presidents recommendations. For his
report of things as respects both our
foreign and our domestic affairs is. upon
the whole. encoura ging, and such of his
recommendations as NAV go over for
want of time or other reason he NAV
be expected to renew at the next oppor-
tunity
We are at peace with the world and
we have been making progress at home.
The President sees better times ahead
Our revenues are now adequate for the
support of the government literally adj
minlstered. and business men, the Presi-
dent believes, are anxious to comply with
the law, and adjust their operations to
its new letter and spirit. He calls. of
course. for rigid enforcement of the
law, so that in whatever particulars
amendments may be necessary they may
be developed and applied. II we rest for
awhile with the enactments now on the
books it does not mean reaction. There
will be no backward step, and our future
steps will be in the direction we have re-
Gently been travelling.
1t is to be regretted that the President
was not able to ask some further action
on the tariff. The wool schedule, for in
stance, would have commanded wide at
tention. He does not approve of that,
and would have a new one at once IL It
were possible. But the tariff board has
not completed its Investigations, and he
will not feel justified in reporting to Con-
gress until the board has reported to
him. The tariff then. in general and i'm
detail, is left to the next Congress, where
party divisions democratic House chal-
longing a republican Senate and execu-
tive-wiil add to the difficulties Of the
situation. The President desires the tariff
board continued and strengthened, and
Congress should provide for that
Equally deserving, too, are the Pres-
dents suggestions about remedying the
laws delays, and an increase in the sal
courts. Upon those matters the Presi-
dent speaks with large thought both as
man and lawyer. and Congress should
heed what he has tn say. The evils he
cites are of long and wide recognition
in both the lay and the professional
worlds. and corrections would work gen.
eral good.
His recent visit to the canal has in
spired the President with full confidence
in the calculations Of those in charge of
the great enterprise. He looks, as they
do, for an early completion of the water
way, and with that in view he asks Con-
gress now to consider the question of
tolls.
The Presidents closing words should,
and probably will, find an earnest echo in
all earnest quarters. He calls for the en-
forcement OF existing law, economy of
administration, enlargement of opportuni-
ties for trade, and confidence in the ma
tional purpose and achievements. He
would have us alert and progressive, and
with faith in ourselves and our destiny
Surely nothing less will enable us to keep
up with the procession, which every
where is moving swiftly. We know the
pace-have, indeed, helped to set it-and
if for any cause we should lag behind
the shame and loss would be incalculable.