The Forrest City times., 1911-12-22

WutEtbg the NIpf0ye lnjOred m the course Of his employment is comqen- sated for his loss of working ability irrespective Of negligence. The prin- ciple upon which such provision pro- ceeds is that accidental injuries to workmen in modern industry. with it's vast complexity and inherent dangers artSinV from complicated machinery and the use of the great forces of steam and electricity. should be re- garded as risks of the industry and the loss borne in some equitable pro- portion by those who for their own profit engage therein. In recognition Of this the last congress authorized the appointment of commission to investigate the subject of employers liability and workmen.s compensation and to report the result of their inves- usations. through the president. to congress This commission was ap- pointed and has been at work holding hearings. gathering data and consider ing the subject. and 1t is expected will
 be able to report by the first Of the year. in accordance with the provi- sions of the law.
 Measures to Prevent Delay and Un-
 necessary Cost of Litigation.
 In promotion of the movement for the prevention Of delay and unneces- sary cost in litigation. I am glad to say that the Supreme court has taken steps to reform the present equity rules of the Federal courts. and that
 we may fin the near future expect a
 revision Of them which will be long step in the right direction.
 Postal Savings System.
 On January 3. 1911. postal savings Repositories were established experi-
 mentally in AS states and territories. After three months successful opera ton the system was extended as rap idly as feasible to the 500 postofHces
 of the first. second eH7 third classes constituting the presidential grade. By the end of the year practically all
 of these will have been designated and then the system will be extended 10 all fourth-class postoff3ces doing a money order business
 The deposits have kept pace with
 the extension of the system. Amount ing to only s60.652 at the end of the first months operation in the expert-
 mental offices. they increased to ss79,- BIO by July. and now after II months of operation have reached a total of ll.000. 900. This sum is distributed among 2.710 banks and protected un-
 der the law by bonds deposited with
 the treasurer of the United States.
 Parcel Post.
 Steps should be taken Immediately for the establishment of rural parcel post. In the estimates of appropria- tions needed for the maintenance of the postal service Tor the ensuing fs- cal year an item of S150000 has been inserted to cover the preliminary ex- pense of establishing a parcel post on rural mall routes. as well as to cover an investigation having for it's object the final establishment of general parcel post on all railway and steam boat transportation routes. The de- partment believes that after the initial
 expenses of establishing the system are defrayed and the parcel post Is in
 full operation on the rural routes it
 will not only bring in sufficient rev. enue to meet it's cost. but also sur plus that can be utilized in paying the expenses of a parcel post in the city delivery service.
 The suggestion that we have gen. eral parcel post has awakened great opposition on the part of some who think that 1t will have the effect to destroy the business of the country
 store keeper. Instead of doing this. I
 think the change will greatly increase
 business for the benefit of all. The re- duction in the cost of living 1t will bring about ought to make its coming certain
 The Navy Department. On the 2d of November last I re- 1 viewed the fighting fleet of battleships | and other vessels assembled in New | York harbor. consisting of 24 battle ships. armored cruisers cruisers. 22 destroyers. I2 torpedo boats, sub marines. and other attendant vessels | making 9S vessels of all classes. of a tonnage of 576634 tons.
 The fleet was deficient in the num- | Der of torpedo destroyers. in cruisers, | and in colliers, well as in large battleship cruisers. which are now be- | coming very important feature of | foreign navies. notably the British. | German and Japanese.
 The building plan for this year con- 1 templates two battIeships and two
 colliers. This Is because the other | and smaller vessels can be built much l more rapidly in case of emergency
 than the battleships. and certainly ought to continue the policy of two | battleships year until after the | Panama Canal is finished and until Tn
 our first line and in our reserve line
 we can number 40 available vessels of l proper armament and size.
 Like the Treasury Department and 1 the War Department. the Navy De- 1 partment has given much attention to | economy in administration. and has 1 cut down a number of unnecessary ex- l penses and reduced its estimates ex-
 cept for construction and the increase l that that involves.
 urge upon congress the necessity l for an immediate increase of 2.oO0 1 men in the enlisted strength of the | navy. provided for in the estimates ! | our thousand more are now needed l to nan all the available vessels
 Departments of Agriculture and Com
 merce and Labor.
 For tho consideration of matters l which are pending or have been dis | posed of in the agricultural depart ment and in the department of eom- merce and labor. l refer to the very l excellent reports of the secretaries of | those departments. l shall not be able l to submit 10 congress until after the l Christmas holidays the question of 1 conservation of our resources arising l in Alaska and the west and the ques- 1 ton of the rate for second class mail | matter Tn the postof1ce department. 1 Elimination of All Local Offices Fron, Politics.
 l wish to renew again my recorn- 1 mendation that all the local offices 1 throughout the country, including col ! lectors of internal revenue. collectors l of customs, postmasters of all four l classes, immigration commissioners | and marshals. should be by law cov- l cred Into the classified service. the l necessity for confirmation by the sen- q fa ba ha