The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-12-29

having met the approval of a great pre-
| ponderance OF the practical ami profess
siohaI opinion OF the country, are likely
70 meet equal approval in congress-
| The War Department.
! There is now before congress a hill
the purpose OF which Is to increase the
| efnciency and decrease the expense of
| the army, 1t contains four principal fea,-
| lures: First. consolidation of the gen
| eral stan with the adJutant generals
ana the inspector generals department;
| second, consolidation of the uuarter-
| masters department with the Subsistence
ana 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
am thoroughly in accord and am con-
| Vnced that the establishment of such
| corps will result in q material econ
omy and very great increase OF etfi-
cheney In the army. 1t has repeatedly
oeen recommended by me and my
predecessors. i also believe that a
consolidation OF the stan corps can be
made with a resulting increase in eff
nciency and economy, but not along
the lines provided in the bill under
confederation.
The army of the United States In 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 LIST of July, 1sIa.
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 naviRable water
way from Lake Michigan to the mouth
OF the Illinois river, and thence via
the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico,
Is one of national Importance In view
OF the work already accommodated nv
the sanitary district of Chicago an
agency OF the state of Illinois, which
mas constructed the most difficult and
costly stretch OF this waterway and
made Il an asset OF the nation and
In view of the fact that the people of
Illinois have authorized the. expendi-
ture OF s20,OOO,000 to carry this water
way So miles farther to Utica, 1 feel
that 1t is fitting that this work should
De 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
winch while providing a waterway for
the nation, should otherwise benefit
that state to the fullest extent
The limitation of the liability of the
master to his servant for personal in
Jurles TO such as are occasioned by his
L ii mas been abandoned in most civ
lllzed countries and provision mazda
whereby the employee injured In the
course OF his employment Is compen-
stated 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 its
vast completely 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
proht engage therein. In recognition
or this the last congress authorized
the appointment of a commission to
investigate the subject of EMPLOYERS
hablllty and workmen's compensation
and to report the result of their tnves-
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 1t 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
Tor the establishment of a rural parcel
post. In the estimates OF appropria-
lions needed for the maintenance OF
the postal service for the ensuing ifs
cal year an item of $4,000 has been
Inserted to cover the preliminary er-
pense OF establishing a parcel post ON
rural mail routes, as well as to cover
an investigation having for its object
the hnal establishment of a general
parcel post on all railway and steam
boat transportation routes
The suggestion that wa baya n oon
ersl parcel post has awakened great
opposition on the part of some who
mink 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-
iuction in the cost of living il will
BRING about ought to make Its coming
,ertain.
The Navy Department.
On the I'd of November last 1 re-
1ewed the lighting fleet of battIeships
FORK harbor consisting of "a battIa.
hlps' armored cruisers, Q cruisers.
2 aestroyers, IL torpedo boats, s sub
marines, and other attendant vessels,
making 80 vessels of all classes, of a
onnage OF 576,634 tons
The feet was deficient in the num-
er of torpedo destroyers, in cruisers
M In golfers, as we'll as in large
attleship cruisers, which are now he
omtng a very important feature of
oreign navies. notably the British.
ierman and Japanese.
The building plan for this year con-
emplates two battleships and two
oilers. This is because the other
nd smaller vessels can be built much
lore rapidly in case of emergency
nan the battleships, and we certainIv
ught to continue the policy of two
attleships a year until after the
anama Canal is finished and until in
nr first line and in our reserve line
e can number 40 available vessels of
roper armament and size.
1 wish to renew again my RECON-
Iendation that all the local offices
lroughout the country, including COL
etors of Internal revenue, collectors
customs, postmasters of ali four
asses, immigration commissioners
I'D marshals should be by law COW
ed into the classified service, the
ecessity for confirmation by the SEN
10 be removed, and the president
Id the others. whose time is now TAX
up in distributing this patronage
lder the custom that has prevailed
nee the beginning of the government
accordance with the recommended
On OF the senators and congressman
the majority party should be re-,