davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Pensions.

The uniform policy OF the Govern
ment in the matter OF granting pen
sions to those gallant and. devoted men
who fought to save the life Of the ma
ton in the perilous days Of the great
civil war. has always been Of the most
liberal character Those men are now
rapidly passing away The best obtain
able official statistics show that they
are dying at the rate OF something
over 5000 a month. and. in view Of
their advancing years this rate must
inevitably. in proportion, rapidly in
crease To the man who risked every
thing on the field of battle to save the
nation in the hour Of its direct need
we owe a debt WI has not been and
should not be computed la & be-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
DEPARTMENT OF IN
TERROR.
Appeals to Court In Land
Cases

The Secretary Of the Interior recon-
mends change Of the law IN re-
speCt to she procedure in adjudicatlng
claims for lands, by which appea Is
can De taken from the decisions Of
the department TO the Court OF Ap-
pealS OF the District of Columbia for
q judicial consideration Of the rights
OF the claimant This change finds
complete analogy in the present pro
vision Tor appeals from the decisions
Of the Commissioner Of Patents. The
judgments Of the court in such cases
would be OF decisive value TO land
claimants generally and 10 the De-
parLmeLt of the Interior in the af-
aple- claimants to bring into Court
the unal- consideration Of issues a.
10 the title 10 Government land and
would, ! think, obviarc q good deal
OF the sI5aequeEt litigation that now
arises in our Western courts The
Dll Is pending. / believe in the
House. having been faVOrabIy re-
ported from the Committee on Pub
nc LANDS and recommend its en-
actment.
one OF The difficulties IN the Interior
Department and in the Land Once has
been TIE delays attendant upon the
consideration by the land Office and
the Secretary Of the Interior OF claims
Tor patents OF public faEds 10 fndi-
Fldu2-s- am glad so say that under
the recent appropriations Of the Con
EreSS and the earnest efforts OF the
secretary and his SuDorGiuates. these
arrears have been disposed Of. and the
work OF the department has been
brought more nearly ID TO date in re-
spect TO the pending business than ever
before ~ its history Economies have
been efected where possible without
legislative assistance, and these are
shown In the reduced estimates for the
expenses OF the department during the
current fiscal year and during the year
to come
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
FearY

The complete success Of our coun-
try in Arctic exploration should not
remain uunoticed. For centuries
there has been friendly rivalry in
this field of effort between the fore
most nations and between the brav-
est and most accomplished men Ex-
petitions to the unknown North have
been encouraged by enlightened gov
ernments and deserved honors have
been granted to the daring men who
have conducted them The unparal-
leied achievement OF Peary in reach
ing the North Pole. April 8. 1903. ap-
proved by critical examination Of
the most expert scientists. has added
10 the distinction OF our navy. TO
which he belongs, and reflects credit
upon his country. His unique success
has received generous acknOw1edg-
ment from scientific bodies and in
situations Of learning in Europe and
America l recommend fitting recog-
milton by Congress Of the great
achievement Of Robert Edwin Peary.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Eiohf-Hour Law.

Since 1873 It has been the declared pUr-
pose of This Government TO favor the
movement for an eiEht-hour day by a
provision of Iaw that none Of the en-
Dloyes employed b. or on behalf OF
the Government should work longer
than eight hours in every twsnty-fl-1r-
The first declaration OF this view was
not accompanied with any penal clause
and with no provision for Its enforce
uent and though President Grant BY
a proclamation twice attempted 10 give
if his sanction and 20 require the OIL
GERS of the Government to carry u out
the purpose Of the trainers Of the law
was Ultimately defeated by a decision
Of the Supreme Could holding that the
statute as drawn was merely a CIrec-
ton Of the Government to its agents
and did not ilvalidate a contract
made in behalf Of the Government,
which provided IN the contract for
labor for a day Of longer hours than
eight Thereafter. IN 1892. the present
eiEht-hcur law was passed. ~ hich pro
viies that the services and employment
of all laborers and mechanics who are
now or may hereafter be employed by
the Government Of the United States,
by The District Of Columbia. or By any
contractor or subcontractor on any q
the public works Of the United States
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Conservation Address.

In September last a Conservation
Congress was held at St Paul. at which
I delivered an address on the subject
OF Conservation. so far as Il was with
In the jurisdiction and possible action
OF the Federal Government In that ad-
dress I assembled from the official rec
Ords the statistics and facts as to what
had been done In this behalf in the ad-
ministraJiOn Of my predecessor. and in
my own, and indicated the legislative
measures which believed TO be wise
In order to secure the best use. in the
public interest, OF what remains of our
national domain There was in this
address q very full discussion OF the
reasons which led me to the concIu-
SiOnS stated. For the purpose Of saw
ing in an official record a comprehen-
sive resume Of the statistics and facts
gathered with some difficulty in that
address. and to avoid their repetition in
the body of this message, I venture to
make the address an accompanying ap-
pendix- The statistics are corrected to
November 15 last.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Injunction Bill.

I wish 70 renew my urgent recon-
mendatiOn made IN my last Annual Mes
sage in favor OF the passage Of q Law
which shall regulate the issuing Of in
functions in equity without notice IN
accordance with the best practice now
IN vogue IN the courts Of the United
States. regard this Of especial inpOr-
lance, first because II has been prom
ised. and second because Il viii deprive
those who now complain Of certain al
legged abuses in the improper issuing Of
1n5unctfOus without notice Of any real
ground for further amendment and viii
take away all Semblance of support for
the extremely radical legislation they
propose. which viii be most perniciOus
+ adopted, VIII sap the foundations Of
judicial power and legaIize that cruel
social instrument the secondary boy
colt
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Bureau of Labor.

The COMMISSIONS Of Labor has been
actively engaged in composing the dif-
fereuCes between employers and eun-
pIoyees engaged in interstate transpor-
tation. under the Erdman Act Jointly
with The Chairman Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission 7 can not speak
in too high terms of the success Of
these two officers in ConclliatIon and
settlement Of controversies which. but
for their iDIeTpOsiti0n, would have re-
suited diszStrousIy to all interests
I invite attention 10 the very serious
injury caused to all those who are en-
gagged IN the manufacture OF phosphor-
Gus matches The diseases incident 10
this are f-ichtfuI. and as matches can
be made from other materials entirely
iunocu0uS- I believe that the INJURIOUS
manufacture could be discouraged and
ought TO be discourse cd BY the ImpoSi-
ton Of q heavy Federal tax I recon-
mend the adoption Of this method OF
stamping out a very serious abuse
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Asked 10 Aid
Alaskan Railroads.

1 have been asked to recommend thai
the credit OF the Government be ex-
tended to aid the construction Of rail
roads in Alaska I am not ready now
20 do so. A great many millions Of
dollars have already been expended in
the construction Of at least two rail-
roads, and If laws be passed rrovid-
Ing for the proper development Of the
resources Of Alaska, especially for the
opening up Of the coal lands. be
lieve that the capital already Invested
viii induce the investment Of more
capital, sufficient to complete the rail-
roads building, and TO furnish CheaD
coal not only 10 Alaska but 10 the
whole Pacific coast The PASSAGE OF q
law permitting the leasing of Gov
eminent coal lands IN Alaska after
public competition. and the apnDOiyt-
ment OF q commission for the gov
eminent Of the Territory, with enab-
ling powers to meet the local needs
viii lead to an Improvement in Alaska
and the development Of her resources
that is likely TO surprise the country.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Abolition of Navy Yards.

The Secretary OF the Navy has given
personal examination to every navy
yard and has studied the uses OF the
navy-yards with reference 10 the neces-
stiles OF our feet With a fleet con-
siderably less than half the size Of that
OF the British navy, We have sllipyards
more than double the number. and
there are several Of these shipyards,
extensively equipped with modern ma
chinery, which after investigation the
Secretary Of the Navy believes TO be
entirely useless for naval purposes. He
asks authority to abandon certain OF
them and to move their machinery to
other places where it can be made Of
use.
In making these recommendations the
Secretary Is following directly along
progressive lines which have been
In our great commercial and
manufacturing consultations in this
country that s., of dismantling unnec-
essary and inadequate plants and dis
continuing their. existence where il has
been demonstrated that Il IS unprofit-
able TO continue their maintenance at
an expense not commensurate TO their
product
The Secretary points out that the
most important naval base in the West
indies s Guantanamo, in the south
eastern part of Cuba It's geographical
situation IS admirably adapted TO pro-
tect the commercial paths TO the Pan
ANA Canal, and he shows that BIZ the
expenditure Of less than half a million
dollars with the machinery which he
shall take from other navy yards, he can
create naval station at Guantanamo
OF sufficient size and equipment TO
serve the purpose Of an emergency
naval base I earnestly join in the rec
ommendation that he be given the aU-
thOrity which ne asks. I am quite aware
that such action IS likely to arouse
local opposition, but I conceive IT TO be
a1iomatic that in legislsting IN the in
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Reclamation

The total sum already accumulated IN
the fund provided by the act for the
reclamation Of arid lands is about So
44s,l5S-t6, and Of this. All but 6.24i. 05s IS
has been allotted to the various pro-
jeCts, Of which there are thirty Con
gress at Its last session provided for the
issuing OF certificates Of Indebtedness
not exceeding So, 001.000, 70 be redeemed
from the reclamation fund when the
proceeds OF lands sold and from the
water rents should be sufficient Mean
time, IN accordance with the provisions
Of the law, I appointed a board Of army
engineers to examine the projects and
to ascertain which are feasible and
worthy Of completion. That board has
made q report upon the subject. which
] shall transmit In q separate message
within q few DAYS
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Activity Shown
In Various Bureaus

The report contains a most interest
ing account Of the activities Of the
department in its various bureaus
showing how closely the agricultural
progress II lis country is following
along the lines Of Improvement rec
commended by the department through
ATS publications and the results OF It's
experiment stations in every state
and by the Instructions given through
the agricultural schools aided by the
Federal Government and following the
general curriculum urged by the head
and bureau chiefs Of the department
The activities Of the department
have been greatly increased By the
enactment OF recent legislation by
the nuTe-fOOd act. the aL-IuspeC1iOu
act, tEa cattle TRANSPORTATION act. and
the act Concerning the interstate ship
ment or game This department IS
one Of those the scope Of whose &C
ton IS constantly widening and
therefore il IS Impossible under ex-
listing legislation 10 reduce the cost
and their estimates below those OF
preceding years
An interesting review OF the results
OF an examination made - TIE de-
partment into statistics and prices.
shows that on the average since 1891,
farm products have increased in value
2 per cent while the things which
the farmer buys for use have increas-
ed but y per cent an indication that
present conditions are favorable 70
the farming community
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Bureau Of Lighthouses.

The reorganizatIon Of the Light House
Board has Effected a very considerable
saving IN the Adminfstrst ton, and the
estimates for that service for the pres
ent year are $4,000 less than for the
preceding year In addition, three ten
ders, for which appropriations were
are not at present needed for the serY-
ice The Secretary is now asking for
a large sum for the addition Of Eghrs
and other aids TO the commerce OF the
seas. including a number fl Alaska
The trade along that coast Is becoming
50 important that respectfully urge
the necessity for following his reCc-u-
incubation
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
DEPARTMENT OF AGRI-
CULTURE.

The report Of the Secretary Of Agrf-
culture invites attention 10 the stu
pendous value Of the agricultural
products Of this county, amounting in
all to SS.s26,0gGG0 for this year This
amount IS larger than that OF 1873 By
1905. 900. 900. The existence Of such a
crop indicates q good prospect for
business throughout the country. a
notable change for the better IS com
mented upon By the Secretary in the
fact that the South especially in
those regions where the boil weevil
has interfered with che growth Of
cotton. has given more attention to
the cultivation OF corn and other Cer-
calls. so that there is q greater diver
sif7cati0n Of crops in the South than
ever beforehand all 10 the great ad-
vantage OF that section.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Bureau Of Fisheries.

Z am glad 10 note in the Secretary-s
report the satisfactory progress which
is being made in respect 10 the preser-
walton Of the seals OF the -PTibIOT Is
lands VERY active steps are being
taken by the Department Of State 70
secure an ARRANGEMENT which shan pro
teCt the PriDHOff herd from. the losses
due 10 peIaEic sealing Meantime the
Government has secured seal pe4ts or
the bachelor seals (the killing Of which
does not interfere with the maintenance
Of tie herd. from the sale o. which
next month Il is expected 10 realize
about S451 900. a sum largely in excess
OF the rental paid by the lessee Of the
Government under the previous con
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
FRANKING SYSTEM
ABUSE CONDEMNED
TO Garry Free of Postage the Vast Volume of
Departmental and Congressional Business

grudglng Or parsimonious spirit But
while We should be actuated By this
spirit TO the soldier himself. care
should be exercised not TO go 70 ab-
surd lengths. or distribute the bounty
Of the Government 90 classes Of per-
sons who may at this late DAY. from
mere mercenary motive, seek to OBJ
tain some legal relation with. an old
veteran now tOtreriLs on the brink OF
the grave. The true spirit OF the pen
sion laws IS to be found IN the noble
sentiments expressed by AR Lincoln
IA MS last Inaugural address. wherein.
In speaking Of the nations duty 10 its
soldiers when the struggle should be
over. he said we should care for him
who shall have borne the battle, and
for his widow and orphans"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
The Census Bureau

The taking or the census has proceed
ed with prOmptness and efficiency. The
Secretary believes and 1 concur, that
II VIII be more thorough and accurate
than any census which has heretofore
been taken. but # is not perfect The
motive tndL prompts men with a false
civic pride TO induce the padding OF
Census returns IN order 70 Increase Ehs
population OF 2 particular city has been
strong enough 70 lead TO fraud in re-
spect % few cities In this country,
and I have directed the Attorney Cen
eral 10 proceed with all the vigor posi-
Die against those who are responsible for
these frauds They have been discovered
and they VIII not interfere With the &C
cuT2cy Or the census. but Il is Of the
highest importance that official inquiry
Of this sort should not Dc embarrasssd
Dy fraudulent cOusDiracies Iu some prt-
vate or local interest
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
POSTOFFTCE DEPART
MEET.
Postal Savings Banks.

At It's last session Congress made pro
vision FOR the establishment OF savings
Banks BY the POst-Office Department
OF this Government, by which, under
the general control Of trustees. con-
Eistfnc OF the Postmaster General, the
Sec~etary Of the Treasury and the At
ter .1ey-General, the system could be
begun in a few cities and towns. and
enlarged to cover within its operations
8 many cities and towns and as large
= part of the country as seemed wise
The initiation and esta bliShment Of
such a system has required great
deal OF study on the part OF the ex-
perts in the POst-OniCe and Treasury
DepaT tmeRts, but a system has now been
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06

te-est Of the Navy. and for the general
protection OF the country By the Navy,
mere lOcfl pride or pecUniary interest
IN the establishment Of a navy-yard
or station ought 70 play nc part The
recommendation OF the Secretary is
based upon the judgment Of impartial
naval officers, entITely uninduenced by
any geographical or sectional cOnsid-
erations.
/ unite with the Secretary in the
recOmm endatiOn that an appropria-
ton be made 20 construct a suitable
crypt at Annapolis for the custody
Of the remains Of John Paul Jones.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
National Parks.

Our national parks have become so
extensive and involve so much detail
of action in their cotnrOl that II seems
to me there ought 70 be legislation
creating a bureau for their care and
control The greatest natural wonder
81 this country and the surrounding
territory should be included in another
national park I refer TO the Grand
.CanyOn OF the Colorado.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Coast and Geodetic Survey.

The Coast and Geodetic Survey has
been engaged I'm surveying the coasts
Of the Philippine archipelago This IS a
heavy work. becauSe. OF the extended
character OF the coast line IN those
islands but I am glad &c note That
about half Of the needed survey has
been completed So large part OF the
coast line Of the archipelago has been
unsurveyed as 10 make navigation IN
the neighborhoOd Of a number OF the
islands and especially on the east SIDE
narticularlr danEeroEs.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Second-Class Mail Matter.

In my last annual message 7 invited
the attention OF Congress 10 the made
Quacy Of the postal rate imposed upon
second-class mail matter IN so far as
that includes magazines. and showed
by figures prepared by experts OF the
Postoffce Department that the Gov
eminent was rendering a service TO the
magazines, costing many millions in
excess OF the compensation paid. An
answer was attempted 20 this by The
representatives Of the magazines and
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Agricultural Lands.

There IS no need for radical reform
In the methods Of disposing OF what are
really agricultural lands. The present
laws have worked wei The enlarged
homestead law has encouraged the sue
cessful farming Of lands In the semi
arid reEious-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
DEPARTMENT OF COM
MERGE AND LABOR.

The Secretary Of the Department OF
Commerce and Labor mas had under
his immediate supervision the applica-
ton Of the merit system Of promotion to
a large number Of employees, and his
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06

devised which IS believed 10 be more
economical and simpler IN It's opera
ton than any similar system abroad
Arrangements have been perfected SO
tat savings banks VIII be opened in
some cities and towns on the 1st OF
January and there viii be a gradual
extension Of the benefits OF the plan
TO the rest OF the country
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Rights 20 Prospect
For Two Years.

Fourth. That the laws should allow
q pTOspeCtOr for oil or gas to have the
right TO prospect for two years over q
certain tract OF land, the right 70 be
evidenced by a license for which he
shall pay a small sum. and that upon
discovery, q lease may be granted upon
terms securing q minimum rental and
proper royalties TO the Government, and
also the conduct of the OH or gas well
in accord VITA the best method for hus-
banding the supply OF OF in the dis
ITtcJ- The period Of the leases should
not be as long as those Of coal, but they
should contain similar provisions as TO
assignment 70 prevent mOnOpOnstic
com bInatiOns
Fifth, That water power sites be IL
reCtly leased By the Federal Govern
Iaent after advertisement and bidding,
Tor not exceeding MY years Upan
proper rental, and with n condition TX
ing rates charged TO the public for
units Of electric power, both rental and
rates 70 De reacJuSted eCuItably every ten
years 10y arbitratiOn or otherwise, with
suitable PROVISIONS against ASSIGNMENT
10 prevent mouopoIistic com bfr7atious
OF, that the law shall provide that upon
Application made By the authorities OF
'ne state where the water power IS sit
mated II may be patented 70 the state
on condition that the state shan dis
pos or II under terms like those frlsr
described. and shall enforce those
terms, Or, upon failure TO comply with
- - S'lt4tIpLls tf-e water power site and
ute shall be forfeited and revert ~ fEs
United states the President being Civ
en- the power 70 declare the forfeiture
&c 20 erect legal proceedings for its
would, I think accomplfsh The n~oTer
puDAc purpose IN respect 20 water mover
sites, but one or the other should he
promptly adopted.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Conservation.

The subject Of the conservation OF the
public domain has Commanded the at
teEuon OF the people within the last
two or three years
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-06
Forest Service

have already referred TO the forests
OF the United States and their extent.
and have urged, as I DO again, the re-
movaI Of the Limitation upon the power
OF the Executive to reserve ether tracts
Of land in six " stern States in which
withdrawal Tor this purpose is now for
hidden. The Secretary OF Agriculture
gives @ very fun description Of the dis
aStrOuS fires that occurred during the
last summer IN the national forests 4
drought more intense than any record
ed IN the history OF the West had in
troduCed a condition into the forests
which made fires almost Inevitable and
locomotive sparks, Negligent campers,
and IN some cases iucen5ia-ies fur
nished the needed immediate cause Al
one time the fires were 50 extended
that they covered a range OF q hundred
miles. and the Secretary estimates that
standing timber Of the value of . mil
Hons OF dollars was destroyed Seventy
SIX persons in the employ Of the Forest
Service We're killed and many more in
5ured, and I regret to say that there IS
no provision IN the law BIZ which the
expenses for their hospital treatment or
Of their interment could be met out Of
public funds The Red Cross contrib
uted thousand dollars, and the re-
Dainder Of the Necessary expenses was
made I'D by private contribution chiefly
from the force OF the Forest Service
and its officials recommend that
suitable legislation be adopted 10 en-
able the Secretary OF AEriCuiture 10
meet the moral obligations OF the Gov
eminent in this respect