davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21

postmasters Of all four classes. immi-
grafton commissioners and marshals,
should be by law covered into the classi-
fed service, the necessity for confirma-
ton by the Senate be removed and the
President and the others, whose time is
now taken up in distributing this patron
age under the custom that has prevailed
since the beginning Of the government
in accordance with the recommendation
Of the senators and congressman of
the majority party should be relieved
from this burden. I am confident that
such a change would greatly reduce the
cost of administering the government,
and that it would add greatly to it's e.
ficiency. 1t would take away the power
to use the patronage of the government
for political purposes. When officers are
recommended by senators and congress-
men from political motives and for politi-
cal services rendered, 1t is impossible to
expect that while in Office the appOintees
VIII not regard their tenure as more or
less dependent upon continued political
service for their patrons, and no regu-
lations. however stiff or rigid, will pre-
vent this, because such regulations. in
view Of the method and motive for selec-
ton, are plainly inconsistent and deemed
hardly worthy OF respect.
WILLIAM II. TAFT.
The White House. December p, 1911.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
Ladies of National Hive, No. 1, Elect

National Hive. No. !, Ladies Of the
Maccabees OF the World. last evening
elected the following officers for the en-
suing year: Past lady commander. Mary
L. Pierce, reelected: lady commander.
Mrs. Fannie e. Walters, reelected; lieu
tenant commander. Miss Clara z. Norton,
reelected: record keeper. Mrs Lula s.
Hammond. reelected: finance auditor,
Mrs. Nellie D. Graham; chaplain, Mrs.
Florence Sprague: lady-at-arms, Mrs.
Rhoda n. Ireland; sergeant, Mrs. Ida G.
Castle: sentinel, Mrs. Helen Frank:
picket, MFs. Mary Ford: captain Of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
IN DEPARTMENT So YEARS.
Funeral Services for Raphael p
Than to Be Held Tomorrow.

Funeral services will be held at Trim
ity Church. Beth and o streets northwest.
tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock for RAJ
phael p. Than, who died at his home,
1913 N street, last Tuesday of a compli-
cation of diseases incident to old age.
Mr.. Than was a native of France. but
came to this country before he reached
hts majority. In September, 1853, he was
appointed chief clerk at headquarters OF
the army. and after eight years service
in that capacity was transferred to the
adJutant generals Office in 1861 as a
clerk Of class IL. In July, 1871. he was
promoted to be chief clerk of the adju-
tant generals office and served contin-
uously to the time of his death. His
service under the War Department COW
cred a period of more than fifty-eight
years and was marked by rare fidelity
and efficiency. He was a man OF ecu-
cation and literary attachments and DOB.
ular among his associates.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21

tiles or dishonesty; but that he has had
considerable difficulty in securing an eff
fective prosecution or removal of the
clerks thus dereiict. I am certainly not
unduly prejudiced against the federal
courts, but the fact is that the long and
confidential relations which grow out Of
the tenure for life on the part OF the
Judge and the practical tenure for life on
the part Of the clerk are mot calculated
to secure the strictness Of dealing by the
judge with the clerk in respect to his
fees and accounts which assures in the
clerks conduct freedom from over
charges and carelessness. The relation
ship between the Judge and the clerk
makes it ungracious for members Of the
bar to complain of the clerk or for de-
partment examiners to make charges
against him to be heard by the court.
and an order Of removal of a clerk and
q Judgment for the recovery of fees are
in some cases reluctantly entered by the
judge. For this reason I recommend an
to the law whereby the
President shall be given power to re-
move the clerks for cause. This pro-
vision need not interfere with the right
of the judge to appoint his clerk or to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
LIABILITY AND
WoRKMEN's COMPENSATION
COMMISSION.

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
ihzed countries and provision made
whereby the employee injured in the
course of his employment is compensated
for his loss of working ability prospect
I've of negligence. The principle upon
which such provision proceeds is that ac-
cidental injuries to workmen in modern
industry, with it's vast completely and
inherent dangers arising from compli-
Gated machinery and the use Of the great
forces of steam and electricity, should be
regarded as risks Of the Industry and the
loss borne in some equitable proportion
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 Investigations. through the Presi-
dent. to Congress. This commission was
appointed and has been at work, holding
hearings. gathering data and considering
the subject, and it is expected Will be
able to report by the first of the year,
In accordance with the provisions of the
law. 1T Is hoped and expected that the
commission will suggest legislation
which will enable us to put in the place
OF the present wasteful and sometimes
unjust system Of employers liability a
plan of compensation which will afford
employees who are injured in the course
Of their employment in those Industries
which are subject to the regulating
power Of Congress
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21

parcel post on all railway and steamboat
transportation routes. The department
believes that after the initial expenses of
establishing the system are betrayed and
the parcel post il in full operation on the
rural routes 1t will not only bring in sum-
Gent revenue to meet its cost, but also q
surplus that can be utilized in paying the
expenses of a parcel post in the city de-
livery service.
1t is hoped that Congress will authorize
the immediate establishment of q limited
parcel post on such rural routes as may
be selected. providing for the delivery
along the routes of parcels not exceeding
eleven pounds. which is the weight limit
for the international parcel post or at the
post office from which such route ema-
mates, or on another route emanating
from the same office Such preliminary
service will prepare the way for the more
thorough and comprehensive inquiry con-
tempIated in asking for the appropriation
mentioned, enable the department to gain
definite information concerning the prac-
teal operation of a general system and
at the same time extend the benefit of the
service to a class Of people who, above all
others, are specially in need Of it.
The suggestion that we have a general
parcel post has awakened great OPPOSE
ton on the part of some who think that
1t will have the effect to destroy the
business of the country storekeeper. In
stead of doing this, thinls the change
will greatly increase business for the
benefit Of all. The reduction in the cost
of living it will bring about ought to
make its coming certain.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
CIVIL RETIREMENT AND CON-
TRIBUToRY PENSION SYSTEM.

have already advocated, in my last
annual message. the adoption Of civil
service retirement system. with con-
tributory feature to it SO as to reduce to
a minimum the cost to the government
Of the pensions to be paid. After con-
siderable reflection, I am very much
opposed to a pension system that in
wolves no contribution from the em-
ployes. I think the experience of other
governments justifies this view: but the
crying necessity for some such contrib
utory system, with possibly preliminary
governmental outlay. in order to cover
the initial cost and to set the system
going at once while the contributions are
accommodating, is manifest on every side.
Nothing will so much promote the econ
omy and efficiency Of the government as
such q system.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
Quick Death Due to Pneumonia.

Michael A. Aloysius Shugrue. forty.
five years old, who resided near Chain
Bridge station on the Cabin John electric
line. died suddenly yesterday afternoon.
He went to the woods with a nephew to
see rabbit trap and was taken il He
was assisted to the house Of o nelghbor,
where he died before physician could
be summoned. His death was due %
pneumonia. ~
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21

guards, Mrs. Annie Holcer; color bearer.
No. ], Mrs. Hattie Palmer; color bearer
No. >. Mrs. Nettie Edmunds; Official
prompter. Miss Mary T. Dunn, re-elect-
ed; pianist. Mrs. Belle Chapman. re-
elected.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICUI
TURE AND COMMERCE.
AND LABOR.

are pending or have been disposed Of in
the Agricultural Department and in the
Department OF Commerce and Labor, /
refer to the very excellent reports Of the
secretaries Of those departments. shall
not be able to submit to Congress until
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
ELIMINATION OF ALL LOCAL OF.
FICEs FROM POLITICS.

wish to renew again my recommends
ton that all the local offices throughout
the country. including collectors Of in
ternal revenue. collectors OF customs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
FRENCH sPoL1AT1oN AWARDS.

In my last message 1 recommended to
Congress that 1t authorize the payment
Of the findings or judgments of the
Court Of Claims in the matter of the
French spoliation cases. There has been
no appropriation to pay these judgments
since 1905. The findings and awards were
obtained after very bitter fight. the
government succeeding in about IS per
cent of the cases. The amount of the
awards ought, as a matter of good faith
on the part of the government, to- be
paid
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
'oWER EXISTS TO RELIEVE
AMERICAN SHIPPING.

1 am very confident that the United
States has the power to relieve from the
payment of tolls any part of our shipping
that Congress deems wise. We own the
canal. 1t was our money that built it..
We have the right to charge tolls for its
use. Those tolls must be the same to
every one; but when we are dealing with
our own ships, the practice of many gov
ernments Of subsidizing their own mer-
chant vessels is so well esta blished in
general that subsidy equal to the tolls.
an equivalent remission of tolls. cannot
use of the canal. The practice in the
Suez canal makes this clear. The expert
ment in tolls to be made Dy the Presi-
dent would doubtless disclose how great
a burden of tolls the coastwise trade be-
tween the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts
could bear without preventing it's useful
ness in competition with the transconti-
mental railroads. One Of the chief rea-
sons for building the canal was to set up
shores closer together as a practical
trade problem. 1t may be that the tolls
will have to be wholly RENTED. 1 do
not think this is the best principle. be-
cause L believe that the cost of such a
government work as the Panama canal
ought to be imposed gradually but GER
tainly upon the trade which it creates
and makes possible. So far as we can,
consistent with the development of the
worlds trade through the canal, and the
benefit which 1t was intended to secure
to. the east and west coastwise trade, we
ought to labor to secure from the canal
tolls a sufficient amount ultimately to
meet the debt which We have assumed
and to pay the interest.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
IMAGINATION OF STATE
CORPS IN THE NAVY.

The Secretary of the Navy is striving
to unity the various corps of the navy
to the extent possible and thereby. stimu-
late q navy spirit as distinguished from
corps spirit. In this he has my warm
support.
All officers are to be naval officers first
and specialists afterward. This means
that officers will take up at least one spe-
cialty, such as ordnance. construction, or
engineering. This is practically what is
done now, only some OF the specialists,
like the pay officers and naval construct
ors. are not of the line. 1t is proposed to
make them all of the line.
All cOmbatant corps should obviously
be of the line. This necessitates amalga-
mating the pay officers and also those en-
gagged in the technical work of producing
the finished ship This is at present the
case with the single exception of the
naval constructors. whom 1t is now pro-
posed to amalgamate with the line.
COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DE-
TENSE.
I urge again upon Congress the de-
STABILITY Of establishing the council of
national defense The bill to establish
this council was before Congress last
winter. and 1t is hoped that this legisla-
ton will pass during the present session.
The purpose of the council is to deter
mine the general policy OF national de-
Tense and to recommend to Congress and
to the President such measures relating
to it as 1t shall deem necessary and
expedient.
No such machinery Is now provided by
which the readiness of the army and
navy may be improved and the programs
of military and naval requirements shall
be co-ordinated and properly scrutintzed
40 fna,u y.Nf.
nation rather than of separate depart
ments.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
SUPPLIES AND Re-
PAIRS.

In my last annual message I discussed
at length the reasons for the govern
ment's assuming the task Of furnishing
to all ships that use the canal. whether
our own naval vessels or others, the sup
plies Of coal and oil and other necessities
with which they must be replenished
the canal, together with the dock facili-
ties and repairs Of every character. THIS
1t is thought wise to do through the gov
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
COMMISSION ON EFFICIENCY
AND ECONOMY.

The law does not require the submits
sion of the reports of the commission on
economy and efficiency until December
81. I shall. therefore, not be able to sub
init a report Of the work of that commits
sion until the assembling of Congress
after the holidays.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
AND ECONOMY IN
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

In the Treasury Department the ef-
fieiency and economy work has been
kept steadily up. Provision is made for
the elimination OF 1874 positions during
the coming year. Two hundred and six
ty-seven statutory positions We're elm
mated during the last year in the Office
of the Treasury iii Washington, and 14l
positions in the year 1910. making an
elimination of 5i2 statutory positions
since March L. 1900; and this has been
done without the discharge OF anybody,
because the normal designations ana
deaths have been equal to the elimina-
ton of the places. a system of trans.
fers having taken care of the persons
whose positions were dropped out, In
the field service of the department, too,
,So9 positions have been eliminated
down to the present time. making a total
net reduction of all Treasury positions
to the number of 1,S01. Meantime, the
efficiency Of the work of the department
h1S sod
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
RIVERS AND HARBoRs.

The estimates for the river and harbor
improvements reach $1,000 600 for the
coming year. / wish to urge that when
ever project has been adopted by Con-
gress as one to be completed the more
money which can be economically ex-
pended In its construction in each year,
the greater the ultimate economy. This
has especial application to the improve
ment Of the Mississippi river and it's
large branches 1t seems to me that an
increase in the amount. of money now
being annually expended In the improve
ment of the Ohio river which has been
formally adopted by Congress would be
in the interest of the public. A similar
change ought to be made during the
present Congress. in the amount to be
appropriated for the Missouri river. The
engineers. say that the cost of the inn
provement of the Missouri river from
Kansas City to st. Louis. in order to
secure six feet as permanent channel.
will reach $2D.OO0.OOO. There have been
at least three recommendations from the
chief of engineers that RI the improve
ment be adopted, $2.OO0.OO0 should be ex-
pended upon it annually This particular
improvement is especially entitled to the
attention of Congress- because a company
has been organized in Kansas City. with
a capital of $1.OOO,O0O, which has built
steamers and barges, and Is actually
using the river for transportation in order
to show what can be done in the way Of
affecting rates between Kansas City and
St. Louis, and in order to manifest their
good faith and confidence in respect of
the improvement. / urgently recommend
that the appropriation for this improve
ment be increased from 100000 as rec
commended now in the completion of a
contract, to 100000 annually, so that
the work may be done In ten years.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21

after the Christmas holidays the question
of conservation of our resources arising
in Alaska and the west, and the question
of the rate for second-class mail matter
in the Post Office Department.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
FRIARS' LANDS.

Pending an investigation by Congress at
its last session, through Que of its COM
mittees. into the disposition of the friars'
lands. Secretary Dickinson directed that
the friars' lands should not be sold in ex-
cess of the limits fixed for the public lands
until Congress should pass upon the SUBJ
ject or should have concluded it's invests
CATION. This order has been an obstruc-
ton to the disposition of the lands, and 1
expect to direct the Secretary of War to
return to the practice under the opinion
of the Attorney General which will enable
us to dispose of the lands much more
promptly. and to prepare a sinking fund
with which to meet the 7,OOO. coo of. bonds
issued for the purchase of the lands. I
have no doubt whatever that the Attorney
Generals construction was a proper one,
and that it is in the interest Of every one
that the land shall be promptly disposed
of. The danger of creating a monopoly of
ownership in lands under the statutes as
construed is nothing. There are only two
tracts of $1,000 acres each unimproved
and in remote provinces that are likely to
be disposed of in bulk, and the rest of
the lands are subject to the Limitation
that they shall be first offered to the
present tenants and lessons who hold them
in small frae
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
TOLLS

renew my recommendation with re-
spect to the tolls of the canal that with
In limits which shall seem wise to Con-
sress the power of fixing tolls be given
to the President. In order to arrive at q
proper conclusion. there must be some
experimenting. and this cannot be done II
Congress does not delegate the power to
one who can act, expeditiously.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21

eminent. because the government must
establish for itself, for its own naval YES
sells. large depots and dry docks and
warehouses. and these may easily be en-
1arged SO as to secure to the world pub
lie using the canal reasonable prices and
a certainty that there will be no dis
elimination between those who wish to
avail themselves of such facilities.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
PARCEL POST.

Steps should be taken Immediately for
the establishment Of rural parcel post
In the estimates Of appropriations needed
for the maintenance OF the postal service
for the ensuing fiscal year an item OF
$4,000 has been inserted to cover the
preliminary expense Of establishing q par
eel post on rural mail routes. as well as
to cover an Investigation having for its
object the Anal establishment Of general
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
FROM THE LAKES
TO THE GULF.

The project for a navigable waterway
from Lake Michigan to the mouth of the
Illinois river, and thence via the Mis-
sissippi to the Gulf Of Mexico, is one of
national Importance. In view Of the
work already accomplished by the san
itary district of Chicago. an agency of
the state of Illinois, which has con-
structed the most difficult and costly
stretch Of this waterway and made it
an asset of the nation. and in view Of
the fact that the people of Illinois have
authorized the expenditure of $4,000, COO
to carry this waterway sixty-twO miles
farther to Utica. feel that it is At ing
that this work should be supplements
by the government, and that the ex-
penditures recommended. by the special
from Utica to the mouth OF the Illinois
river be made upon lines which, while
providing a waterway for the nation,
should otherwise benefit that state to
the fullest extent. l recommend that the
term of service of said special board of
engineers be continued, and tina, it be
empowered to reopen the question OF
the treatment Of the lower Illinois river
and to negotiate with properly consti-
tuted commission representing the s ate
of Illinois, and to agree upon plan
for the improvement Of the lower IL
linois river and upon the extent to
cooperate with the STATE of Illinois In
securing the construction OF q navigable
waterway from Lockport to the mouth of
the Illinois river In conjunction with the
Of water power by that state
between Lockp0rt and Utica.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
POSTAL SAVINGS SYSTEM.

On January B., 1911, postal savings de-
positories were established experimental
~ in forty-eight states and territories.
After three months successful operation
the system was extended as rapidly as
feasible to the 1900 post offices of the
first. second and third classes constitut-
ing the presidential grade. BY the end
Of the year practically all of these will
have been designated and then the sys-
tenn will be extended to all fourth-class
post offices doing money order bust
ness.
In selecting post Offices for repositories
consideration was given to the efficiency
Of the postmasters and only those offices
where the ratings were satisfactory to
the department have been designated.
Withholding designation from postmas-
tiers with unsatisfactory ratings has had
a salutary effect on the service.
The deposits have kept pace with the
extension of the system. Amounting to
only $60.652 at the end of the first
offces, they increased to $679.31O by July,
and now after eleven months OF operation
have reached a total Of 100000. This
sum is distributed among 2.71O banks
deposited with the treasurer of the
United States.
Under the method adopted for the con-
duct of the system certificates are issued
as evidence of deposits. and accounts with
depositors are kept by the post offices In
stead of by the department. Compared
with the practice in other countries OF en-
tering deposits in passbooks and keeping
at the central office a ledger account with
each depositor. the use OF the certificate
has resulted In great economy OF admins
tration.
The depositors thus far number approx
mately 10000. They include forty ma
tionalities, native Americans largely pre-
dominating and English and Italians COM
ing next.
The first conversion of deposits into
United States bonds bearing interest at
the rate of 2h per cent occurred on July
1. 1911. the amount Of deposits exchanged
being $41. geo, or little more than per
cent Of the total outstanding certificates
of deposit on June 80. OF this issue, bonds
to the value Of S. 40 were in coupon form
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-21
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
Removal Of Clerks Of Federal Courts.

The report Of the Attorney General
examination the accounts Of the clerks
Of the federal courts: that he has found
e good many which disclose irregular