Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1911-12-27
TAFT MESSAGE
/. REVIEWS YEAR
GL5e3-g2&8 HgaSgs5
Efficiency and Economy In All
Government Departments
LEGISLATION IS RECOMMENDED


rency Reform-Plans to Improve
Service In Army Indorsed-Con-
eress Advised to Prepare For Canal
Other Subjects of interest
i Washington, Dec 22.-President
Taft sent to congress a message in
which he reviews the work of the de-
partments for the year He finds in
Creasing efficiency and economy in
al. The message, however, is de-
voted chiefly to recommendation for
new legislation, and the president be-
iieves that matter of first import
slce is monetary reform. Regarding
this he says:
1t is exceedingly fortunate that the
wise and undisputed policy of main
tanning unchanged the main features
of our banking system rendered it at
once impossible to introduce a central
bank; for a central bank would GER
tainly have been resisted, and a plar
into which it could have been intro
duced would probably have been de-
feated. But as a central bank could
not be a part of the only plan dis
cussed or considered, that trouble
some question is eliminated And in
geniOus and novel as the proposed
National Reserve association appears,
1t simply is a logical OutgrOwth OF
what is best in out present system,
and is, in fact, the fuIflment of that
system"
The president urges that there be a
properly measured government rep
TesentatiOn" in the association and
declares a fair recognition of both
national and state systems
The president declares that the
credit of the country abroad was never
better than now, instancing the sale
OF the Panama percent bonds, which
held out no special inducements for
bankers.
The changes in the war department
10 prOmite efficiency are approved in
general, but Mr.. Taft opposes bills
now pending in congress which would
make promotion slower and enlist
1nents longer.
D., AS the Panama canal nearS compile
tfon-it will be finished by July l i,
1913-legiSlatiOn for regulation and
control is necessary; something re-
Eating to the government of the zone
and as to tolls.
A river and harbOr bill sufficient to
continue uncompleted projects is ia
Vored.
Several suggestions are made i
connection with the department o.
justice, but most necessary seems t.
be something to prevent delays O.
litigation.
The navy is praised as in good con
Giition and the president believes i,
should be maintained; higher grade
than rear admirals are favored, IL
personnel increased by 1000 and thc
smaller navy yards abandoned.
The president hopes and expect:
that the commission appointed to in
yestigate the subject of empiO"e~5
liability and workmen's comDe1 a
ton will suggest Legislation while
will enable us to put in the place O
the present wasteful and sometime
unjust system of employers liability
plan of compensation which will Of
ford some certain and definite re: e
TO all employees who are injured il tx,
course Of their employment in thost
industries which are subject to tn,
regulating power of congress. "
The president urges the ex1e1s. r,
of inland waterways and tells t.
progress of work already un5er Va
The 1920 900 postal surplus is al
luded to, and the message calls f.r
rural parcels post.
The president recommends a ccr
tributory pension system for gCverr.
ment employees; an extension O. Il
term of service Of the special BOAR
Of engineers on the waterways I.az
the lakes to the gaIg; power in IL
president to remove clerks 0I Le,l.r.
courts for cause; payment CT tn
French spoliatiOn judgments. In con
cIusion the president renews his rec
Ommendation that Offices be kept fire
from politics.
r. a.