The Washington times., 1911-12-21

mrst be the same to everyone; but
when we are dealing with our own
ships, the practice Of many govern
ments OF subsidizing their own rner-
chant vessels Is 80 well established in
general that q subsidy equal to the
tolls, an equivalent rerission OF tolls,
cannot be held To be a discrimination
In tho use OF the canal.
Philippine Islands.
In respect to the Philippines, Urgent
ly Joined In ten Recommendation OF the
Secretary Of War that the act Of Feb
ruary 8, 1906, limiting the Indebtedness
that may be incurred by the Philippine
government for the construction of pub
lie works, be icnreased from 5000. 900
to $l5, 000, 900. The finances of that gov
eminent are in excellent condition. The
maximum sum mentioned Is quite low
as compared with the amount of in
debtedness of other governments with
similar resources, and the success which
has attended the expenditure of the
$6.000,0OO in the useful improvements Of
islands justifes and requires additional
expenditures for like purposes.
i also Join in the recommendation that
the legislature Of the Philippine islands
izatlon OF Filipinos and others who by
the present law are treated as aliens,
SO as to enable them to become citizens
Of the Philippine islands.
Rivers and Harbors.
The estimates for the river and harbor
improvements reach 100000 for the
coming year. 1 wish to urge that when
ever a 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 its
large branches. 1t seems to me that
an increase in the amount of money
now being annually expended In the i'm
provement 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
souri, river. The engineers say that the
cost of the Improvement of the Missouri
river from Kansas City to st. Louis, In
order to secure six {. feet as permanent
been at least three recommendations
from the Chief of Engineers that IL the
Improvement be adopted, t2.00O,000 should
be expended upon 1t annually. This
particular Improvement Is especially en-
titled to the attention of Congress. be-
cause a company has been organized in
Kansas City, with a capital Of 81, 900. 900,
which has built steamers and barges,
and AM is actually using the river for
can be done In the way of affecting
rites between Kansas City and st.
Louis, and in order to manifest their
good faith and confidence in respect Of
h. kVUNVa ant
mend that the appropriation for this
improvement be increased from 100000,
as recommended now in the completion
Of contract, to 100000 annually, 50
that the work may be done in ten years.
Removal of Clerks.
The report Of the Attorney General
shows that he has subjected to close ex-
animation the accounts Of the clerks of
the Federal courts; that he has found a
good many which disclose irregularities
or dishonesty; but that he has had con-
siderable difficulty in securing an ef-
fective prosecution or removal OF the
clerks thus derelict. am certainly not
unduly prejudiced against the Federal
oourt:. but the fact 10 that the long and
confidential relations which grow out
adFs asd fI5 is q TIE
on the part OF the clerk are. not calcu-
lated 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 a freedom from
overcharges and carelessness. The re-
lationship between the judge and the
clerk, makes 1t ungracious for members
of the bar to complain of the clerk or
for departmental examiners to make
charges against him to be heard by the
court, and an order Of removal of a
clerk ind and judgment for the recov-
cry Of fees are In some cases reluctant
Axyt hA I'D HN. ~
I recommend an amendment to the law
whereby the President shall be given
power to remove the clerks for cause.
This provision need not interfere with
the right of the Judge to appoint his
clerk or to remove him.
Employers Liability.
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
!lized countries and provision made
whereby the employee injured in the
course Of his employment Is compen.
stated for his loss Of working ability ir-
respective Of negligence. The principle
upon which such provision proceeds is
that accidental injuries to workmen in
modern industry. with ITS vast con com
from complicated machinery and the use
Of the great forces Of steam and cleo
tricity, should be regarded as risks OF
the industry and the loss borne In some
equits BILE proportion by those who for
their own profit engage therein. In
recognition of this the last Congress
authorized the appointment Of COM
mission to investigate the subject OF
employers liability and workmen's COM
pensation and to report the result OF
their Investigations, through the Presi-
dent, to Congress. This commission was
appointed and has been at work, hold
Ing hearings, gathering data, and con:
sidering the subject, and 1t 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 legis-
lation 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 some certain and definite re-
lief to all employees who are injured In
the course Of their employment In those
industries which are subject to the
regulating power Of Congress. .'.''''
To Prevent Delay. ....,..,.
In promotion Of the movement for the
prevention of delay and unnecessary
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 in the
near future expect q revision of them