Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-12-14

scribed his trip in the report. He
found tho islands in q state Of tran
quillity and growing prosperity, due
largely to the change in the tariff
laws. which has opened the markets
of America to the products Of the
Philippines, and has opened the Phil
1ppine markets to American manu-.
features.
THE year has been ono Of prosper
ity and progress in Porto Rico.
Panama Canal.
AT tho instance Of Colonel 0oeth.
ais. tho army engineer officer in
charge Of thu work on the Panama
canal. have just made q visit to
the Isthmus to inspect tho work done
and to consult with him on the
ground as to certain problems which
are likely to arise In tho near fu-
ture. The progress Of the work is
most satisfactory. II no unexpected
obstacle presents itself. the canal
will be completed well within the
time fixed by Colonel Cocktails. to-
wit. January /. 1915, and within the
estimate Of cost, $375. 100000.
Among questions arising for pres
ent solution Is the decision whether
tho canal shall be fortified. I have
already stated to the congress that
strongly favor fertilization and I
now reiterate this opinion and ask
your consideration Of the subject in
the light Of the report already be-
fore you made by competent board.
Another question which arises for
consideration and possible legislation
is the question Of tolls in tho canal.
This question is necessarily affected
BY the probable tonnage Which will
60 through the canal.
In determining what tho tolls
should be We certainly ought not to
insist that for a good many years to
como they should amount to enough
to pay tho interest on the invest
ment Of $4oo. ooe, 900 which the United
States has made in the construction
Of the canal. We ought not to do
this, first. because the benefits to be
derived by tho United States from
this expenditure is not to be meas
ured solely by . return upon the in
vestment. If It were then the con-
struction might well have been left
to private enterprise.
my own impression is that the
tolls ought not to exceed. 81 per net
ton, and I should recommend that
within certain limits the president be
authorized to fix the tolls Of tho canal
and adjust them to what seems to
be commercial necessity.
II cannot close this reference to
the canal without suggesting as a
| wise amendment to the interstate
commerce law provision prohibiting
interstate commerce railroads from
| owning or controlling ships engaged
In the trade through tho Panama
canal. believe such 4 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 was constructed to secure"
Department Of JuetIce.
Discussing the affairs o; the de-
partment Of justice, the president
says:
II invite especial attention to the
prosecutions under the federal law
Of the so-called bucket shops and
Of those schemes to defraud in which
the use of the mail is an essential
part of the fraudulent conspiracy,
prosecutions which have saved ig-
norant and weak members Of the pub
lie and are saving them hundreds Of
millions Of dollars. The violations Of
the antitrust law present perhaps the
most important litigation before tho
department, and the number. Of cases
filed shows the activity Of tho govern
ment in enforcing that statute.
In special message last year I
brought to the attention Of congress
the propriety and wisdom Of enacting
a general law providing for the IN
corporation of industrial and other
companies engaged in interstate COM
MERGE, and renew my recommen-
dalton in that behalf"
The crying need in the United
States Of cheapening the cost Of liti-
cation by simplifying judicial proceed
ure and expediting final judgment is
pointed out and action looking to cor
rection Of these evils Is urged.
The president recommends an in
crease In the salaries Of federal
judges.
Postal Savings Banks.
/ 60 -
p revision for the establishment Of
savings banks by the postof1ce de-
partment of this government by which
under general control Of trustees. con-
sisting of the postmaster general. the
secretary Of the treasury and tho at
torney general, the system could be
begun In q few cities and towns, and
enlarged to cover within its opera
lions as many cities and towns and as
large a part Of the country AZ seemed
wise. The Initiation and establish.
ment Of such a system has required q
great deal Of study on the part Of
the experts in tho postonace and treas
ury departments, but system has
now been devised which IL believed to
be more economical and simpler In its
operation than any similar system
abroad. Arrangements have been per-
fected so that savings banks will be
opened in some cities and towns on
the LIST Of January. and there will be a
gradual extension of the benefits Of
the plan to the rest of the country"
1T is gratifying" says the president,
that the reduction In the postal
deficit has been accomplished without
| ~ v,oo%oY e~>:,3aA--