davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
PRAISE HEAPED ON TARIFF; PLAN
Of Commission URGED AS BEST
President Again Goes Record in Favor of G. O. P Doctrine of
Protection but Declares Duties Should be Fixed in Accord
ance with Cost of Production at Home and Abroad

from China that such an advisor, who shall
be an American, viii be engaged.
1t is a matter OF interest to Americans 10
note the success which is attending the efforts
Of China to establish gradually system Of
representative government. The provincial as
sembnes were opened in october, 1909, and in
October of the present year a consultative
body the nucleus OF the future national parli-
ament. held its first session in Peking.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Fortifications

have directed that the estimates for ap-
preparation for the improvement of coast de-
fenses In the United States should be re-
duced to q minimum, while those for the com
pletion Of the needed fortihcations at Cor
regidor In the Philippine islands and at Pearl
harbor in the Hawaiian islands should be ex-
pedited as much as possible. The PROPOSE
ton to make olongapo and 5ubig bay the
naval base for the Pacific was given up and
1t is to be treated merely as a supply sta
ton while the fortihcations in the Philippines
are to be largely confined to Corregidor island
and the adjacent Islands which command en-
trance to Manila bay and which are being
rendered impregnable from land and sea at.
tack The Pacific naval base has been trans
ferred to Pearl harbor, in the Hawaiian
islands. This necessitates the heavy fortin-
cation of the harbor and the establishment
of an important military station near Homo
lulu 1 urge that all the estimates made by
the war department for these purposes be
approved by congressional appropriation.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Liberia

The negotiations which have been undertaken
for the emelioration of the conditions found in
Liberia by the American commission, whose
report transmitted 70 congress on March 70
last, are being brought TO conclusion, and It is
thought that within a short time practical
measures of relief may be put into effect
through the good offices Of this government
and the cordial cooperation Of other govern
ments interested in Liberals welfare.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Broader Trade Relations

The policy of broader and closer trade re-
lations with the Dominion OF Canada, which
was initiated in the adjustment OF the max
imum and minimum provisions OF the tariff
act OF August, 1909 has proved mutually ben
eficial. 1t justifes further efforts at readjust-
Inent Of the commercial relations OF the two
countries so that their commerce may fol-
low the channels natural to contiguous coun-
tries and be commensurate with the steady
expansion of trade and industry on both sides
Of the boundary line. The reciprocatlon on
the part Of the dominion government OF the
sentiment which was expressed by this gov
ernment was followed in October by the sug-
gestlon that It would be glad to have the
negotiations, which had been temporarily sus-
pended during the summer, resumed. In ac-
cordance with this suggestion the secretary OF
state, by my direction, dispatched two repre-
sentatives Of the department of state as spe-
ciaI commissioners to Ottawa to confer with
representatives Of the dominion government.
They were authorized to take such steps for
formulating a reciprocal trade agreement as
might be necessary and to receive and con-
slider any propositions which the dominion
government might care 70 submit.
Pursuant 20 the instructions Issued, con-
ferences were held by these commissioners
with officials OF the dominion government at
ottawa In the early part Of November The
negotiations were conducted on both sides in
a spirit of mutual accommodation. The dis
cussion Of the common commercial interests
OF the two countries had for its object
satisfactory basis for a trade arrangement
which offers the prospect OF a freer inter-
change for the products Of the United States
and Of Canada The conferences were ad-
journed TO he resumed in Washington in jan
uary, when It Ia hoped that the aspiration OF
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Militia System

The militia system, for which congress by
the constitution is authorized to provide, was
developed by the so-called Dick law, under
which the discipline, the tactics, the rank, the
uniform and the various branches of the
militia are assimllated as far as possible to
those of the regular army. Under the militia
law, as the constitution provides the gov
ernors OF the states appoint the militia Off
GERS, but by appropriations from congress
states have been compelled to comply with
rules Of assimilation between the regular army
and the militia, 90 that now there Is force
the efficiency OF which differs in different
states, could be incorporated under single
command with the regular army and which
for some time each year receives the beneht
of drill and maneuvers under conditions ap-
proxmating actual military service under
the supervision OF regular army officers.
1 further recommend that congress establish
a commission to determine as early as prac-
ticabe comprehensive policy for the organ
ization, mobilization and administration of the
regular army, the organized militia and the
volunteer forces in the event Of war.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Treasury Department

Estimates for next years expenses:
Every effort has been made by each de-
partment chief to reduce the estimated cost
of his department for the ensuing flscal year
ending June 60, 1912. 1 say this in order that
congress may understand that these estimates
thus made present the smallest sum which
will maintain the departments. bureaus and
offices Of the government and meet Its other
obligations under existing law, and that q
cut of these estimates would result In en-
barrassing the executive branch Of the gov
ernment In the performance of Its duties.
This remark does not apply to the river ana
harbor estimates, except to those for expenses
of maintenance and with those meeting obliga-
tions under authorized contracts nor does It
amply to the public building bill, nor to the
navy building program. OF course, as to
these congress could withhold any part or all
of the estimates for them without interfering
with the discharge Of the ordinary obligations
Of the government the performance Of the
functions OF it's departments. bureaus and
offices.
The final estimates for the year ending
June 30, 1912, as they have been sent to the
treasury, on November 20 of this year, for the
ordinary expenses of the government, including
those for public buildings, rivers and har-
bors and the navy building program, amount
to $3.50 494 0lS This is $52 964 s87 less than the
appropriatons for the fiscal year ending June
30 1911 1t is s16,sSs, 153 less than the total
estimates, including supplemental estimates
submitted to congress by the treasury for
the year 1911, and is $5,574,659 less than the
original estimates submitted by the treasury
for 1911.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Control of Canal

The next question that arises is that to the
maintenance, management and general control
of the canal after Its completion. 1t should
be promised that 1t is an essential part or
our navy establishment to have the coal, oil
and other ship supplies. a drydock and repair
shops, conveniently located with reference
to naval vessels passing through the canal.
Now IL the government. for naval purposes,
is to undertake to furnish these conveniences
to the navy, and they are conveniences equally
required by commercial vessels, there would
seem to be strcng reasons why the govern
ment should take over and include In its
management the furnishing not only TO the
navy but to the public, drydock and repair
shop facilities and the sale of coal, oil and
other ship supplies.
The maintenance OF q lock canal OF this
enormous size in a sparsely populated country
and in the tropics where the danger from
disease is always present and requires a large
and complete and well trained organization
with full police powers exercising the utmost
care. The visitor to the canal who Is Inn
pressed with the wonderful freedom from
tropical diseases on the isthmus must not be
misled as to the constant vigilance that Is
needed to preserve this condition The vast
machinery of the locks the necessary amount
of dredging, the preservation OF the banks
of the canal from slides, the operation ana
maintenance of the equipment OF the railway
will all require q force not, OF course, to bs
likened In any way to the present organlza-
ton for construction, but a skilled body Of
men who can keep in a state of usefulness
this great instrument OF commerce. Such an
organization makes 1t easy to include within
its functions the furnishing OF drydocks. fuel,
repairs and supply facilities to the trade OF
the world. These will be more essential at
tho isthmus OF Panama than they are at
Port Said or Suez because there no depots
for coal, supplies and other commercial No
cessities within thousands Of miles of the
isthrnuB,
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
system las Been Bettered

This lack Of system and economic co-ordina-
ton has attracted the attention Of the head OF
that department, who has been giving his
time for the last two years, with the aid OF
experts and by consulting his bureau chiefs,
to Its reformation; he has abolished 400 places
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Porto Rico

The year has been one Of prosperity and
progress in Porto Rico. Certain political
changes are embodied in the bill ITO pro-
vide a civil government for Porto Rico and
for other purposes" which passed the house
of representatives on June 15, 1910, at the
last session Of congress and is now awaiting
the action Of the senate.
The Importance of those features of this
bill relating to public health and sanitation
cannot be over-estimated. The removal from
politics of the judiciary by providing for the
appointment OF the municipal judges is ex-
celent, and recommend that step further
be taken by providing therein for the appoint
ment Of secretaries and marshals Of these
courts.
believe that the provision in the bill Tor
partially elective senate the number OF
eleven members being progressively Increased
is unwise and that the composition OF the
senate as provided in the bill as introduced In
the house far better meets conditions exist
ing in Porto Rico. This is an important meas
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Revenue

As the treasury department is the one
through which the income Of the government
Is collected and it's expenditures disbursed,
this seems a proper place to consider the
operation of the existing tariff bill, which be-
came a law August 6, 1909. AS an income Pro-
duclng measure the existing tariff bill has
never been exceeded by any customs bill in
the history Of the country.
The corporation excise tax proportioned to
the net income Of every business corporation
In the country, has worked WELL The tax
has been easily collected. Its prompt pay
nent indicates that the incidence Of the tax
has not been heavy 1t offers, moreover, an
opportunity for knowledge by the government
of the general condition and business OF all
corporations and that means by far the most
important part Of the business of the country
In original uot, provision was made for pub
lcation of the returns.
This provision was subsequently amended by
congress and the matter left to the regulation
of the president. l have directed the issue Of
the needed regulations and have made 1t pos
sible for the public generally to know from
an examination of the record, the returns Of
ALI corporations the stock Of which is listed
on any public stock exchange or Is offered for
sale to the general public by advertisement
or otherwise. The returns OF those corpora
tions whose stock is not so listed or offered
for sale are directed to be open TO the inspec-
tion and examination Of creditors and stock
holders Of the corporation whose record is
sought The returns OF all corporations are
subject to the inspection of any government
officer or to the examination of any court in
which the return made by the corporation is
relevant and competent evidence.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Additional Officers

One OF the great difficulties. In the prompt
organization and mobilization of militia and
volunteer forces lie the absence OF competent
officers of the rank OF captain to teach the
army, by the unit OF the company. the ousi-
ness of training soldiers and taking care OK
themselves, SO as to render effective service.
This need OF army officers can only be sup
piled by provisions OF law authorizing the
appointment Of a greater number Of army Of
flcers than are needed to supply the COM
rnands with regular officers. There are enough
regular officers to command the troops now
enlisted, but congress has authorized ana the
department has followed the example OF con-
gress and exercised the authority conferred by
detailing these army officers to duty other
than that of the command OF troops.
For instance, there are a large number OF
army officers assigned to duty with military
colleges or in colleges In which military train
ing is given. Then large number OF onl-
GERS are assigned to general stan duty ana
there are various other places to which army
officers can be and are legally assigned, which
take them away from their regiments and
companies. In order that the militia Of each
state should be properly drilled and made
more like the regular army, regular army Of
doers should be detailed TO assist the ad-
jutant general of each state in the supervision
of the state militia; but this is impossible
unless provision Is made by congress for
very considerable increase in the number Of
company and field officers OF the army. a
bill was pending In the last session Of con-
gress for this purpose, and l earnestly hope
that in the interest OF the proper develop
ment of a republican army, an army small In
the time OF peace but possible OF prompt and
adequate enlargement in time OF war. shall
become possible under the laws Of the United
States.
bill, the strong argument for which can
be based upon tho ground similar to that OF
the increased officers bill, is the bill for the
increase Of sixty In the army engineers. The
shortness of supply in such officers delays I'M
portant river and harbor work and Important
fortif1cation work. 1 earnestly recommend the
passage of this bill. which passed the house
at the last session and Is now pending in
the senate.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT

the home producer. The basis for the crit
icism OF this tariff Is that In respect to a
number Of the schedules the declared measure
was not followed. but higher difference re-
tanned or inserted by way of undue discrlm-
ination in favor of certain Industries and
Of the tariff has been directed against the
protective principle above stated; but the
main body of the criticism has been based
on the charge that the attempt to conform
to the measure OF protection was not hon
estly and sincerely adhered to.
Tariff Board
Tho time in which the tariff was prepared
was undoubtedly so short to make 1t impos-
sible for the congress and its experts to ac-
quire the information necessary strictly to
conform to the declared measure. In order to
avoid criticism of this kind In the future and
for the purpose of more nearly conforming
to the party premise, congress at its last ses"
sion made provision at my request for the
continuance of board created under the
authority of the maximum and minimum
clause of the tariff bill and authorized thiA
board to expend the money appropriated under
my direction for the asoertainment of the
cost of production at homo and abroad OF the
various articles included in the schedules or
the tariff. The tariff board thus appointed
and authorized has been diligent in preparing
itself for the Investigations. The hope Of those
who advocated the of this board for tariff
purposes is that the question of the rate of
duty imposed shall become more of a business
question and less OF a political question, to
be ascertained by experts Of long training and
accurate knowledge. The halt In business and
the shock to business due to the announcement
that new tariff bill is to be prepared and
put into operation will be avoided by Gre
ating the schedules one by one as occasion
shall arise for a change in the rates OF each
and only after a report upon the schedule by
the tariff board competent to make such re-
port 1t is not likely the board will be able
to make q report during the present session
OF congress on any of the schedules, because
a proper examination involves an enormous
amount Of detail and a great deal OF care;
but 1 hope to be able at the opening Of the
new congress, or at least during the session
of that congress-, to bring to its attention the
facts In regard to those schedules in the
present tariff that may prove to need amend
ment,
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Public Buildings

In our public buildings we still suffer from
the method Of appropriation which has been
30 much criticised in connection with our
rivers and harbors. Some method should be
devised for controlling the supply Of public
buildings, so that they will harmonic with
the actual needs OF the government Not
only are buildings appropriated for by con-
gress which are not needed and buildings
left unappropriated for by congress Whlch
are needed, but when 1t comes TO the actual
construction there has been in the past too
little study Of the building plans and sites
with a view to the actual needs OF the gov
ernment Postofice buildings which are in
effect warehouses for the economical handling
of transportation OF thousands Of tons Of mail
have been made monumental structures, and
often located far from the convenient ana
economical spot. In the actual construction
of the buildings a closer scrutiny of the meth
ods employed oy the government architects or
by architects employed by the government
have resulted In decided economies. 1t is
hoped that more time will give opportunity
for a more thorough reorganization. The last
public building bill carried authorization for
the ultimate expenditure Of s33, 3,0n, ,5oo and
approved 1t because Of the many good features
It contained, Just as 1 approved the river
and harbor bills, but 1t was drawn upon a
principle that ought to be abandoned. 1t
seems to me that the wiser method of pre-
pairing a public building bill would be the
preparation of a report by commission OF
government experts whose duty 1t should be
to report to congress the governments need
in the way of construction of buildings in
every part OF the country just as the army
engineers make report with reference to the
utility of proposed improvements in rivers and
harbors, with the added function which have
recommended for the army engineers of In
cluding in their recommendation the relative
Importance of the various projects found to
be worthy of approval and execution.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Discrimination of Patrols

Another important reason why these insular
duties may be undertaken by the government
is the opportunity for discrimination between
patrols of the canal that Is offered where
private concessions are granted for the fur
nishing of these facilities. Nothing would
create greater prejudice against the canal
than the suspicion that certain lines OF traf-
fo were favored In the furnishing Of supplies
or that the supplies were controlled by any
large interest that might have a motive for
increasing the cost OF the use of the canal.
1t may be added that the termini are not
ample enough to permit the fullest competition
in respect to the furnishing of these facilities
and necessities to the worlds trade even if
It were wise to invite such competition, and
the granting OF the concession would neces-
sarily, under these circumstances take on the
appearance of privilege or monopoly.
1 cannot close this reference to the canal
without suggesting as a wise amendment to
the interstate commerce law q provision pro-
hIbiting interstate commerce railroads from
owning or controlling ships engaged in the
trade through the Panama canal. believe
such provision may be needed to save to the
people OF the United States the benefits Of the
competition in trade between the eastern and
western seaboards which this canal will be
constructed to secure.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Trade Will Increase

In addition to the benefit to our naval
strength, the canal greatly increases the trade
facilities of the United States. 1t will un-
doubtedly cheaper the rates Of transporta-
tion In all freight between the eastern ana
western eeaboard, and It will greatly increase
that trade by reason Of the reduction In It's
cost Then, II we are to have a world canal
and IL we are anxious that the routes Of the
worlds trade shall be through the Panama
canal, we must recognize that we have an
active competitor in the Suez canal. Then,
too, there are other means of crossing the
isthmus-by the Tehuantepec railroad and by
other railroads and freight routes in Central
America to the Atlantic side
In all these cases the question whether the
Panama canal Ia to be used and Its tonnage
increased would be determined later by the
charge for its use. My own Impression IL
that the tolls ought not to exceed 81 per net
canal are 10 be seven francs and twenty-five
centimes for one net ton by Suez canal meas
urement, which Is a modification OF Danube
measurement A dollar a ton will secure
under the figures above q gross income from
the Panama canal OF nearly S,o0o,OOo. The
cost of maintenance and operation is esti-
mated to exceed 100000. Ultimately, of
course, with the normal increase in trade,
the income will approximate the interest
charges upon the investment. On the whole
1 should recommend that within certain limits
the president be authorized to Ak the tolls OF
the canal and adjust them to what seems TO
be commercial necessity. The inquiries al
ready made OF the chief engineer of the canal
show that the present consideration OF this
question Is necessary in order that the COM
merce of the World may have time to adjust
Itself to the new conditions resulting from
tho opening of this new highway.
Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07
Philippine Islands

During the last summer at my request tho
secretary OF war visited the Philippine Islands
and has described his trip In his report. He
found the islands In state Of tranquility and
growing prosperity, owing largely to the
change in the tariff laws, which has opened
the markets Of America 20 the products or
the Philippines and has opened the Philippine
markets to American manufactures. The rapid
increase in the trade between the two coun-
tries is shown in the following table,
Philippine exports, fiscal years 1908-191o, ex-
elusive OF gold and silver:
Fiscal Year. U. s. Others. Totai.
1908 ..... s1O,S24, ,233 s29 ,3s4 sS2. .s1s.5 567
1903 .......... 1O.215.3S1 2o.77S,2 ,232 SO.s9S,66S
1910 ............. 1S,41,n1 21,122,3SS Ss,S64,l69
(Note - Latest monthly returns show
ports for the year ending August 1910, to the
United States, s20.oS5,9O2, 40 per cent of
the s41,0757SS total, against $11,0Sl276 to the
United States, on "a per cent of the $32, S3,sl
total for the year ending August, 1907
Philippine imports fiscal years 1s0S-l91o, OK
elusive Of gold and silver and government
supplies:
Fiscal Year. U. 8. Others. Total.
1908 ...... s5,O7s, ,4S7 S25, $40 $50, 9ls. S57
1909 ............. 4,691,770 20, ,100627 H,7e2,SS7
1910 ............. 1O,775,3O1 26, 329 S0G,S $50
CNote-Latest monthly returns show imports
for the year ending August, 1910, from the
United States, s11,6l5,ss2, 80 per cent Of
the $39 9O25 667 total against s5,1sS,419 from the
United States, or Is per cent of the $28 94s. OIL
total for the year ending August. 1907