River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-12-28

whereby the empioye injured in the
course of his employment is compen-
stated for mis- 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
ar'sino 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. In recognition
of this the last congress authorized
the appointment of a commission to
investigate the subject of employers
liability and workmen's compensation
and to report the result of their inves-
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 it is expected will
be able to report by the first OF the
year, in accordance with the provi-
sions of the law.
Measures to Prevent Delay and I'm
necessary Cost of Litigation.
In promotion of the movement for
the prevention of delay and unneces-
sary cost in litigation, am glad to
say that the Supreme court has taken
rules of the Federal courts, and that
we may in the near future expect a
revision of them which will be long
step in the right direction.
Postal Savings System.
On January 3, 1911, postal savings
repositories were established expert
mentally in As states and territories.
After three months successful opera
ton the system was extended as rap
idly as feasible to the $500 postoffices
of the first, second and third classes
constituting the presidential grade.
BY the end of the year practically all
of these will have been designated and
then the system will be extended to
all fourth class postofices doing 6
money-order business.
The deposits have kept pace with
the extension of the system. Amount
ing to only $60652 at the end of the
first months operation in the expert
mental Offices they increased to $685.
80 by July, and now after IL months
of operation have reached a total of
$11,000,000. This sum is distributed
among 2,710 banks and protected I'M
der the law by bonds deposited with
the treasurer of the United States.
Parcel Post.
Steps should be taken Immediately
for the establishment of a rural parcel
post. In the estimates of apprOpria-
lions needed for the maintenance OF
the postal service for the ensuing fis-
cal year an item of $150,000 has been
inserted to cover the preliminary ex-
pense of establishing a parcel post on
rural mail routes, well as to cover
an investigation having for it's object
the final establishment of a general
parcel post on all railway and steam
boat transportation routes. The de-
partment believes that after the initial
expenses of establishing the system
are betrayed and the parcel post is in
full operation on the rural routes it
will not only bring in sufficient rev.
enue to meet its cost, but also a sur
plus that can be utilized in paying the
expenses of a parcel post in the city
delivery service.
The suggestion that we have a gen.
eral parcel post has awakened great
opposition on the part of some who
think that it will have the effect to
destroy the business of the country
store keeper. Instead of doing this, /
think the change will greatly increase
business for the benefit of all. The re-
duction in the cost of living it will
bring about ought to make it's coming
certain.
The Navy Department.
On the I'd of November last 1 re-
viewed the fighting fleet of battleships
and other vessels assembled in New
York harbor, consisting of "a battle
ships, 2 armored cruisers, cruisers,
20 destroyers, II torpedo boats, SUBJ
marines, and other attendant vessels.
making SO vessels of all classes, of a
tonnage of 576,634 tons.
The fleet was deficient in the num-
Der of torpedo destIOyersAin cruisers,
and in GOLFERS, as well as in large
battleship cruisers. which are now be-
coming a very important feature of
foreign navies. notably the British,
German and JapaneSe.
The building plan for this year con-
templates two battleships and two
GOLFERS. This is because the other
and smaller vessels can be built much
more rapidly in case of emergency
than the battleShipS, and we certainly
ought to continue the policy of two
battleShips a year until after the
Panama Canal is finished and until in
our first line and i'll our reserve line
we can number 40 available vessels Of
proper armament and size.
Like the Treasury Department and
the War Department, the Navy De-
partment has given much attention to
economy in administration, and has
cut down a number of unnecessary ex-
penses and reduced its estimates ex-
cept for construction and the increase
that that involves.
I urge upon congress the necessity
for an immediate increase of 1000
men in the enlisted strength of the
navy provided for in the estimates
Four thousand more are now needed
to man all the available vessels
Departments of Agriculture and Com
merce and Labor
For the consideration of matters
which are pending or have been dis
posed of in the agricultural depart
ment and in the department of COM
merce and labor, I refer to the very
excellent reports of the secretaries OF
those departments / shall not be able
to submit to congress until after the
Christmas holidays the question or
conservation of our resources arising
II! Alaska and the west and the ques-
ton of the rate for second-class mail
matter in the postoffice department.
Elimination of All Local Offices From
Politics.
I wish to renew again my recon-"
mendation that all the local offices
throughout the country including col
lectors of internal revenue, collectors
of customs postmasters Of all four
classes, immigration commissioners
and marshals, should be by law COW
cred into the classified service, the
necessity for confirmation by the SEN
ate be removed, and the president
and the others, whose time is now TAX
en- up in distributing this patronage
under the custom that has prevailed
since the beginning of the government
in accordance with the recommends
ton of the senators and congressman
of the majority party should be re-
neved from this burden. I am conf
dent that such a change would greatly
reduce the cost of administering the
government, and that it woui6 add
greatly to it's efficiency. 1T would take
away the power to use the patronage