The Green Forest tribune., 1911-12-29

sional opinion of the country, are likely to meet equal approval in congress
 The War Department.
 There is now before congress bill. the purpose of which Is to increase the efficiency and decrease the expense of the army. It contains four principal fea~ lures: First, a consolidation of the gen eral staff with the adjutant generals and the inspector generals depar ment; second, a consolidation of the quarter masters department with the subsistence and pay department; third. the creation of an army service corps, and fourth an extension of the enlistment period from three to five years.
 With the establishment of an army service corps. as proposed in the bill, l am thoroughly in accord and am con- vinced that the establishment of such a corps will result in a material econ omy and a very great increase of etfi- c1ency in the army. It has repeatedly been recommended by and my predecessors. I also believe that a consolidation of the staff corps can be made with a resulting increase in ef- iciency and economy, but not along the lines provided in the bill under consideration.
 The army of the United States is in good condition.
 The Panama Canal.
 The very satisfactory progress made on the Panama canal last year has continued, and there is every reason to believe that the canal will be com pleted as early as the 1st of July, 1913, unless something unforeseen occurs. This Is about IS months before the time promised by the engineers
 Waterway From Lakes to the Gulf.
 The project for a navigable water way from Lake Michigan to the mouth of the Illinois river and thence via @ tn ba 111f of Is one of national importance. In view of the work already accomplished by the sanitary district of Chicago an agency of the state of Illinois, which has constructed the most difficult and costly stretch of this waterway and made 1t an asset of the nation, and in view of the fact that the people of Illinois have authorized the expendi- ture of $20.000,0 000 to carry this water way 62 miles farther to Utica, I feel that it Is fitting that this work should be supplemented by the government, and that the expenditures recommend ed by the special board of engineers on the waterway from Utica to the mouth of the Illinois river be made upon lines which while providing a waterway for the lnation. should otherwise benefit that state to the fullest extent
 The limitation of the liability of the master to his servant for personal in- juries to such as are occasioned by his fault has been abandoned in most civ ilized countries and provision made whereby the employe injured in the course of his employment is compen- sated for his loss of working ability irrespective Of neglig genee 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 arising 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- legations 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 it Is expected will be able to report by the first of the year, in accordance with the provi- sions of the law
 Parcel Post.
 Steps should be taken Immediately for the establishment of a rural parcel post. In the estimates of appropria- tions needed for the maintenance of the postal service for the ensuing fis- cal year item of $150,000 has been inserted to cover the preliminary ex- pense of establishing parcel post on rural mail routes, as well 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 suggestion that we have gen- eral parcel post has awakened great opposition on the part of some wRo think that it will have the effect to destroy the business of the country store keeper. Instead of doing this, l think the change will greatly increase business for the benefit of all. The re- duction in the cost of living it will bring about ought to make it's coming certain.
 The Navy Department.
 On the 2d of November last I ac- viewed the fighting fleet of battleships and other vessels assembled in New York harbor, consisting of "A battle ships, armored cruisers, cruisers. 22 destroyers, 12 torpedo boats sub marines, and other attendant vessels, making 9S vessels of all classes, of a .onnage of 576,634 tons.
 The fleet was deficient in the mum. Der of torpedo destroyers, in cruisers and in colliers, as well as in large battleship cruisers, which are now be" coming a very important feature or foreign navies, notably the British German and Japanese.
 The building plan for this year con templates two battleships and two colliers. This is because the other and smaller vessels can be built much more rapidly in case of emergency than the battleships, and we certainly ought to continue the policy of two battleShipS a year until after the Panama Canal is finished and until in our first line and in our reserve line we can number 40 available vessels of proper armament and size.
 I wish to renew again my recon mendation that all the local offices throughout the country, including col lectors of internal revenue. collectors of customs, postmasters of all four classes, immigration commissioners and marshals, should be by law GOV cred into the classified service, the necessity for confirmation by Nthe sen ate be removed. and the president and the others. whose time is now talk en up in distributing this patronage under the custom that has prevailed since the beginning of the government In accordance with the recommenda- tion of the senators and congressman of the majority party should be re- 1ieved from this burden I am conb- dent that such a change would greatly reduce the cost of administering tEe government, and that it would add greatly to it's efficiency.
 Soul the Abode of Truth.