davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Tariff Board.

The time Ia which the tariff was prepared
undoubtedly was so short as 10 make il
impossible for The Congress and its experts
20 acquire the information necessary strict
" 20 conform to the declared measure In
order TO avoid criticism OF this kind in the
future and for the purpose Of more nearly
conforming 10 the party promise. Congress
q, its last session made provision al my
request for the continuance OF board Gre
a4ed under the authority Of the maximum
and minimum clause Of the tariff Dill and
authorized this board 70 expend the money
appropriated under my direction for the
sseertainment of the cost ot production at
home and abroad OF tie various articles in
cIuded IN the schedules Of the tariff. The
Tariff Board thus appointed and author
:zed, has been diligent in preparing itself
for the necessary Investigations The hope
or those who have advocated the use Of
fiis board for tariff purposes IS that the
sfsleztion of the rate of a duty imposed
shall become more of a business question
and less Of a political question. 10 be sscer-
fajned bv experts Of long training and ac-
,.-,.-afe knowledge The halt IN business
and lie shock 10 business due 10 the an
,,o.necrnent tl.at q new tariff bin is 10 be
,5-cfsssred -zad pct IN operation viii be
,,s,sid.d isv treating the schedules one by
,,,,#. as occasion shall arise fer change
H. s,te rates of each. and only after re-
port ancn The schedule by the Tariff Board
e,ofiy:setent 20 make such report II is not
sflzelv that tie board sill be able 10 ma ke
2 report during the present session OF Con-
rress On any OF the schedules. because a
proper examination involves sn enormous
slsl;auni Of 6etail ami great deal or care.
l,ut hope % 0e s5ie at t3le opening OF the
,7ssr Congress. or 81 least during the
session Of that Congress. 50 bring To lis al
ienfieu the facts Ia regard 20 those sched-
is.eS iu tie present tariff that may prove
% need amendment. The carrying out Of
ISIS isIan. e course. involves the fun CO
operation or Congress IA limiting the con-
eideratiof IN tariff matters 10 one schedule
~ = tiIae. i.ccaute II a proposed amend
rnesat 10 a tariff bill IS 70 involve CON-
sslste icsns5deFa 1ion Of ali the schedules and
another revision then shall only repeat
rl4ss ss4-ii from xhicIf the b8sness Of this
eosrnfry has in times past suffered most
s-rierosialy by stagna;son and uncertainty,
pending reinstatement Of la~ affecting
81 business directly or indirectly. and the
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07

upon inclined surfaces of the underlying I'M
decomposed rock and in part by the crush
ing of structurally weak beds under ex-
cessive pressure. These slides occur on one
side or the other of the cut through a dis
fance of four or five miles. and now that
their character is understood allowance has
been made in the calculations of yardase
for the amount of slides which viii have to
be removed and the greater slope that will
have to be given to the bank in many
places in order to prevent their recurrence
Such allowance does not exceed 10.09V96
yards. Considering that the number OF
wards removed from this cut on an aver
age each month through the year is f,3sO.e 600.
and that the total remaining to be exca-
waited. including slides. is about 30.o00-ve
yards, il is seen that this addition 10 the
excavation does not offer any great reason
for delay
While this feature of the material TO be
excavated in the cut viii not seriously de-
lay or obstruct the construction Of canal
of the lock type. the increase of excava-
tion due to such slides in the cut made
eighty-flve feet deeper for sea level canal
would certainly have been great as TO
delay its completion to a time beyond the
patience CT the American people.
Among questions arising for present solu-
ton is the decision whether the canal shall
be fortified. / have already stated to Con-
gress that I strongly favor fortiffcatioa
and I now reiterate this opinion and ask
your consideration Of the subject in the
light of the report already before you made
by competent board.
II in our discretion we believe modern
Notifications TO be necessary TO the ade-
quate protection and policing of the canal
then it is our duty 10 construct them We
have built the canal. II is our property
BY convention we have indicated our de-
sire for, and indeed undertaken. its uni
versal and equal use. 1t is also well known
that one of the chief objects in the con-
struction of the canal has been TO increase
the military effectiveness of our navy.
Failure TO fortify the canal would leave
the attainment OF both these aims in the
position of rights and obligations which we
should be powerless to enforce and which
could never in any other way be absolutely
safeguarded against a desperate and ire
sponsibie enemy.
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07

effect of which no wise business man
would ignore in new projects and new in
vestments. l cannot too much emphasize
the Importance and benefit of the plan
above proposed for the treatment of the
tariff 1t facilitates the removal of note
worthy defects in important law with
out & disturbance of business prosperity,
which is even more important to the hap
piness and the comfort OF the people than
the elimination Of instances of injustice in
the tariff
Study of the Tariff
The inquiries which the members Of the
Tariff Board made during the last sum
Tner into the methods pursued by other
governments with reference 10 the fixing
Of tariffs and the determination Of their
effect upon trade show that each govern
ment maintains an office or bureau the
officers and employees of which hav-, made
their life work the study of tariff mat
;ers. Of foreign and home prices and cost
Of articles imported and the effect OF the
tariff upon trade. so that whenever a
change IS thought 20 he necessary in the
tariff law this Office is the source of the
most reliable information as to the pro-
priety Of the change and its effect / am
strongly convinced that we need in this
government just such an office, and that
II can he secured by making the Tariff
Board already appointed a permanent tar
if commission. with such duties powers
and eroluments as 1T may seem wise TO
Congress 10 give. Mt has been proposed
TO enlarge the board from three 10 five
The present number is convenient, bur do
not know that an increase of two members
would be Objectionable
Whether or not the protective nolicv is
10 be continued, and the degree of protec-
tion 10 be accorded TO our home industries.
are questions which the people must decide
through their chosen representatives: but
whatever policy is adopted Il is clear that
the necessary legislation should he based
on an impartial, thorough and continuous
study of the facts.
Banking and Currency Reform
The method OF impartial scientific study
by experts as a preliminary to legislation.
which I hope to see ultimately adopted as
our fixed national policy with respect 10
the tariff. rivers and harbors, waterways
and public buildings, IS also being pursued
by the non n-partissn Monetary Commission
Of Congress. An exhaustive and most val
liable study Of the banking and currency
systems Of foreign countries has been COM
pleted.
a comparison Of the business methods
and institutions OF our powerful and sue
ceSsful commercial rivals Nith our own is
sure 10 be Of immense value. I urge upon
Congress the Importance OF non-partisan
and disinterested study and consideration
Of our banking ana currency system 1t is
lGie TO dream of commercial expansion and
OF the development of our national trade on
q scale that measures up TO our matchless
opportunities unless We can lay a solid
foundation in a sound and enduring bank
lng and currency system. The problem IS
not partisan is not sectionaI-it Is national.
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Fortihcations.

l have directed that the estimates LOT
appropriation for the Improvement Of coast
defences in the United States should pc
reduced 10 a minimum, while those Tor the
completion OF the needed Notifications at
Corregidor, IN the Philippine Islands and
AT Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands.
should be expedited as much as possible
The proposition to make Olonsapo ana
Subig Bay the naval base for the Paclhc
was given up and II is to be treated merely
as supply station, while the fordhcations
in the Philippines are 10 be largely con-
fined to Corregidor Island and the adjacent
islands. which command entrance to Mania
Rav and which are being rendered lmpres-
nsble from land and sea attack. The Pa
cif7c naval base has been transferred 10
Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian lslands'
This necessitates the heavy fortncatton OF
the harbor and the establishment Of an I'M
nortant military station near Honolulu /
urge that all the estimates made by the
War Department for these purposes be ap-
r,7-oy-ed r1- Congressional appropriation
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Philippine Islands.

During the last summer, at my request
the 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, due
largely TO the change in the tariff laws
which has opened the markets Of America
10 the products OF the Philippines and has
or,ened the Philippine markets 70 American
manufactures The rapid increase in the
trade between the two countries is shown
in the following table:
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Extension of the Classified Service.

Upon the recommendation OF the Post
classified service all assistant postmas-
ters and / believe that this giving a
secure tenure 10 these who are the most
important subordinates OF postmasters
will add much TO the efficiency of their
offices and an economical administra ton
4 large number of the fourth class post
masters are now in the classified service
think it would be wise TO put in the
classified service the first. second aud third
class postmasters. 1t is more logical 10
do this than to classify the fourth class
pcstmasters. for the reason that the fourth
class postoffices are invariably small
and the postmasters are necessarily
men who must combine some other busi-
ness with the postTnastership. whereas the
first, second and third class postmasters
are paid sufficient amount to Justify the
requirement that they shall have no other
business and that they shall devote their
attention To their postoffice duties To
classify first. second and third class most
masters would require the passage of an
act changing the method OF their appoint-
ment so as TO take away the necessity for
the advice and consent OF the Senate /
am aware that this is inviting from the
Senate a concession in respect to it's quasi
executive power that is considerable but
believe II 10 be in the interest of good
administration and efficiency of service To
make this change would take the post
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Control of Canal.

The next question that arises is as to the
maintenance, management and general
control of the canal after its completion
II should be promised that ii is an essen
tial part Of our navy establishment to have
the coal oil and other ship supplies. dry
dock and repair shops conveniently located
with reference TO naval vessels passing
through the canal. Now, if the government
for naval purposes is to undertake 10 fur
nish these conveniences to the navy. and
they are conveniences equally required by
commercial vessels. there would 10
be strong reasons why the government
should take over and include in its manage
rrent the furnishing, not only 70 the navy
but TO the public. OF dry dock and repair
shop facilities, and the sale OF coal. oil and
other ship supplies.
The maintenance of lock canal Of this
enormous size in a sparseiy popua ated
country and in the tropics where the dan
ger from disease is always present, requires
a large and complete and well trained Or
eanlzation with fun police powers. exercis-
ing the utmost care. The visitor TO the
canal who is impressed with the wonder
full freedom from tropical diseases on the
isthmus must not he misied as to the con-
staut vigilance that is needed 10 preserve
this condition. The vast machinery or the
locks the necessary amount of dredging,
the preservation OF the banks of the canal
from slides. the operation and the mainte-
lance of the equipment Of the railway viii
all require force not of course 10 be
Hlened iii any way to the present organiza-
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 il easy TO include
within its functions the furnishing OF dry
dock, fuel, repairs and supply facilities to
fhe trade of the world, These will be more
essential at the Istsmus of Panama than
they are at Port Said or suez, because
there are no depnts for coal. supplies and
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Claims.

I invite the attention of Congress to the
great number Of claims which, AT the in
stance Of Congress. have been considered by
the Court of Claims and decided to be valid
claims against the government. The delay
that occurs in the payment Of the money
due under the claims Injuries the reputation
Of the government as an honest debtor and
I earnestly recommend that those claims
which come TO Congress with the Judgment
and approval of the Court of Claims should
be promptly paid.
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Parcels Post.

with resuect TO the parcels POST, -
spectfuIIy recommend its adoption on -
rural delivery routes, and that eleven
pounds-the international hmit-bs nans
tbe limit Of carriage in such post and this
with a view 20 its general extension Wneh
the income OF the postofhce VIII permit u
and the postoffice savings banks snail aaS7
beeD fully established The same argument
is made against the parcels pest that vas.
made against the postal savings 0anS-
that If is introducing the government INTO =
business which ought 70 be co1ducted -
rrivate persons and Is paternalisfli ms
PostoiFce Department has great piah-
and A great organization. reaching INTO TO
most remote hamlet OF the United Statss'
and with this machinery IL IS able 70 90
great many things economically that Il 4
nsv- organization were necessary II Wo'iid
ne impossible 10 do without eNtrsVasauI
avDendirrIre. That Is the reason WY ta7
Dostal savings bank can be carried on az a
small additional cost. and why II l. pos
sible to incorporate at very 1ncoHsinera-
bIe expense a parcels post III the rurai
delivery system. \ general parcels posi-
will involve a much greater outlay
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Injunction Bill

wish to renew my urgent Fecoi'iiiiSi"
tion made in NY last annual fhessase ..
favor of tfe passage Of law which siie'
regulate the issuing OF inJunctlons IN edui's
without notice in accordance WIN 'ie -
practice now in vogue III me cour' . -
T-,fted states. I regard this Of especial
Importance. first because II "SS
nrorT1ised and second because u VIII
prive those who now con'HaHh oi
l,11a,aa .h,,ses in the improper issuing Of
..s..-.;o,,s without notice OF auy real
,--o,,r,; for further amendment and VIII
tito away all ser1bIauce OF support for the
c,tren,orv radical legislation they propose.
which win he most peruicious II adopted
iii s.n the foundations Of judicial power
and tepaIize that cruel social instrument
the secondary boycott.
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07

greater number OF army officers than are
needed to supply the commands of regular
army troops now enlisted in the service.
There are enough regular army officers TO
command the trooDs now enlisted, but
Congress has authorized and the depart
ment 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
training is given Then large number OF
officers are assigned to general staff duty,
and there are various other places to which
army officers can be and are legally as
signed which take them away from their
regiments and companies. In order thal
the militia of each state should be prop
erly drilled and made more like the regular
army regular army officers should De oe-
tailed TO assist the Adjutant Generai o.
each state in the supervision OF the state
militia; but this is impossible unless pro-
vision is made by Congress for very con-
siderable increase in the number Oh colh- col
pany and field officers of the army plii
was pending in the last session OF congress
for this purpose and / earnestly nope
that. in the interest of tie proper oeNei'4,
men CT republican army, an army Siiia''
in the time of peace but possible OF prompt
and adequate enlargement IN time OF "1'
shall become possible under the laws OF the
United States
\ bill. the strong argument Tor "hlch
can be based on the ground quite similar
to that Of the increased officers bill, is the
bill for the increase of sixty in the army
engineers. The army engineers are largely
enpioyed in the expenditure of the moneys
apnropriated for the improvement OF rivers
and harbors. This in addition TO thel
military duties, which include the con-
struction of fortifcations both OF our coasts
and in our dependencies, together with the
number used in the Panama Canal WORK
requires many more engineers thah tiie
army has: and this shortness of supply III
such officers DELAYS important river ana
harbor work and important foruhcatioh
work. 7 earnestly recommend the passage
of this bill which passed the House at the
last session and is now pending IN the
Senate.
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Rivers and Harbors.

have already expressed my opinion TO
Congress in respect TO the character Of the
river and harbor bills which should he
enacted into law: and ! have exercised as
much power as ! have under the law in d.
recting the chief Of engineers 10 make his
ronorts 30 Congress conform TO the needs
of the committee framing such DILL IN
determining which OF the proposed improve
men+s Is the more important and ought 10
he compIeted first, and promptly.
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Increases Trace Facilities.

IN addition 10 the benefit TO our naval
strength. the canal greatly increases the
trade facilities OF the United States IT
will undoubtedly cheaper the rates OF trans
r,ortation in all freight between the Eastern
and Western seaboard. and IL will greatly
increase that trade by reason or the re-
duction in it's cost. Then, il we are 10
have a world canal, and if we are anxious
that the routes of the world trade shall
he through the Panama Canal. we must
recognize that We have an active com
petitor in the Suez Canal. Then, too. there
are other means of crossing the isthmus-
nv the Tehuantepec Railroad and by other
railroads and freight routes in Central
America to the Atlantic side
In all these cases the question whether
tho Panama Canal is TO be used and its
tonnage increased will be determined
mainly by the charge for its use My own
impression is that the tolls ought not 70
exceed 81 per net ton. On January I, 1911,
the tolls III the Suez Canal are to be Z
francs and "a centimes for one net ton by
Suez Canal measurement, which is a modl-
fcation of Danube measurement A dollar
4 ton will secure under the figures ABOVE
q gross income from the Panama Canal or
nearly sI.GG0ooO The cost of maintenance
and operation Is estimated TO exceed 5000
600 Ultimately. Of course. with the normal
increase in trade. the income VIII approx
mate the interest charges upon the invest
rlent. On the whole | should recommend
that within certain limits the President be
authorized 10 fix the tolls of the canal and
adjust them TO what seems to be CONNER
cial necessity The inquiries already made
of the chief engineer of the canal show
that the present consideration of this ques-
ton is necessary in order that the COM
merce of the world may have time TO ad-
Just itself 10 the new conditions resulting
from the opening of this new highway
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Revenues.

As tbs T~eazur- Department IS tNe one
through which the income OF the govern
rrent + collected and its expenditures are
6iisnursed. this seems 4 proper place 70
consider the operation Of the existing tariff
hill, which became law on August 6, 1909.
AE Al income producing measure, the eX-
istinr tariff bill has never been exceeded
by any customs bill in the history of the
country
TIE corporation excise tax. DTopoTtioned
20 thu net income Of every business cor
rorztion in the country. has worked well
The tax has been easily collected. Its
prompt payment indicates that the Incl
den-e OF the tax has not been heavy. Il
offers moreover. an opportunity for knowi-
edge by the government ~ the general
condition and business Of all corporations,
snd thaf means by FAR the most important
part Of the business Of the country. n the
original act provision was MADE for the
publication CT returns This provision was
subsequently amended by Congress and
-fa matter left 70 The regulation ~ the
President. have directed the issue Of the
needed regulations. and have made 81 Dos
s5alc Ger the public generally 10 know from
~ examination of the record the returns
O. al corporations the stock Of which Is
listed az any public stock exchange or IS
offered fer sale te the general public by
as3veFtIserleUr or otherwise. The returns Of
tl9ose corporations whose stock is not 50
1isfe or offered for sale are directed TO he
v@en to t7e inspection and examination Of
cre5itors and stockholders Of the corpora
fion wrose record Is sought. The returns
o- zll CORPORATIONS are subject to the in
snectio1 Of any government officer or 10
she examination Of any court IN which the
refGrn made ny the corporation IS relevant
snd cornretent cxIden-c
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Porto Eicc.

The year has been one OF prosperity and
progress in Porto Rico. Certain political
changes are embodied i'll the bill 'to pro-
vide civil government for Porto Rico and
for other purposes which passed the
House of Representatives on June =. 1910,
al 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 oyerestimated.
The removal from politics OF the judiciary
by providing for the appointment Of the
municipal judges is excellent. and 1 recon-
mend that q step further be taken by pro
viding therein for ths appointment OF secre-
taries and marshals Of these courts
I believe that the provision in the bill for
4 partiaIly elective Senate. the number Of
elective members being progressively In
creased, is unwise and that the compost
ton OF the Senate as provided IN the bill
as introduced in the House far better meets
conditions existing in Porto Rico This is
an important measure, and recommend
its early consideration and passage,
New-York tribune., 1910-12-07
Need for Additional onioers.

One of the great difficulties in the prompt
organization and mobilization of militia
and volunteer forces Is the absence or
competent officers of the rank of captain
10 teach the new army. by the unit of
the company. the business of being soldiers
and of taking care Of themselves SO 20
render effective service. This need cf army
officers can only be supplied by provisions
Of Law authorizing the appointment OF a