The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-21

committees into the disposition of the friars' lands Secretary Dickinson di- rected that the friars' lands should not be sold in excess of the limits fix ed for the public lands until congress should pass upon the subject or should have concluded it's investigation. This order has been an obstruction to the disposition of the lands. and l expect to direct the secretary of war to re- turn to the practice under the opinion of the attorney general which will en- able us to dispose of the lands much more promptly and to prepare a sink 100000 of bonds issued for the pur- chase of the lands.
 Rivers and Harhora
 The estimates for the river and bar bOr improt ements each S32 0O0.tr)0 for the coming year. wish to urAs that whenever project has been adopted by congress as one to be completed the more money which can be economical ly expended in its construction in each year the greater the ultimate economy. This has especial application to the i'm. provement of the Mississippi river and it's large branches. It seems to noe thai an increase in the amount of money now being annually expended in the improvement 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 mad" during the present congress in the amount to be appropriated for the Mis- souri river The eng neers say that the cost of the improvement of the Mis- souri river from Kansas City to St. Louis in order to secure six feet as a permanent channel will reach $20.0OO.- 900. There have been at least three recommendations from the chief of en gineers that if the improvement be adopted S2.000.0OO should be expended upon it annually. urgently recon. mend that the appropriation for this improvement be increased from $600.- coo. as recommended now In the com- pletiOn of a contract. to $2.oOO.OO0 an- nually so that the work may be done in ten years.
 Waterway From the Lakes to the Gulf.
 The project for navigable 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 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 it an asset of the nation. and in view of the fact that the people of llli- nois have authorized the expenditure of $29.OOO.0O0 to carry this waterway sixty-twO miles farther to Utica. feel that it is fitting that this work should be supplemented by the government and that the expenditures recommend on the waterway from Utica to the mouth of the Illinois river be made upon lines which. while providing a waterway for tho nation. should other wise benefit that state to the fullest extent. l recommend that the term of service of said special board of en- gineers be continued and that it be empowered to reopen the question of |. the treatment Of the lower Illinois riv- CT.
 The Department of Justice.
 The report of the attorney general shows that he has subjected to close examina tion the accounts of the clerks of the federal courts. that he has found a good many which disclose irreguiari- ties or dishonesty. but that he has had considerable difficulty in securing an effective prosecution or removal of the clerks thus derelict. l am certain iy 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 not calculated to secure the sfrict- clerk in respect to his fees and ac- counts which assures in the clerks conduct freedom from overcharges and carelessneSs. For this reason l recommend an amenu ..Ient to the law whereby the president shah be given power to remove the clerks for cause. This provision need not interfere with the right of rhe judge to appoint his clerks or to remove him.
 In my last message 1 recommended to congress- that it authorize the pay ment of the findings or judgments of the court of claims in the matter of the French spoliation cases. There has beeu no appropriation to pay these judgments since 1905.
 Employers Liability.
 The limitation of the liability of the master to his servant for personal in- juries to such as are accustomed by his fault has been aba ndoned in most civilized countries and provision made whereby the employee injured in the course of his employment is c0mpen. sated 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 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 Tn recognition