The searchlight., 1911-12-29


whereby the empioye injured In the
course of his employment is comp~n-
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 compiexity 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 ana
the loss borne in some equitable pro-
portion by those who for their own
profit engage therein In recognition
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 II 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 un-
necessary Cost Of Litigation.
In promotion of the movement for
the prevention Of delay and unnecess
sary 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 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 experi-
mentally In 4s states and territories.
After fhraa s,,t
tion the system was extended as rap
idly as feasible to the 1900 postofiices
OF tho 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 postofiices doing a
money-order business.
The deposits have kept pace with
the extension of the system. Amounts
Ing to only SsO.e52 at the end OF tho
first months operation In the experi-
mental Offices they Increased TO xs7s.-
31o by July. and now after IL months
OF operation have reached total of
$11.o00.0 900. This sum Is distributed
among 2.7Io banks and protected un-
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-
tions needed for the maintenance OF
the postal service for the ensuing fis-
cal year an item of $4,000 has been
inserted to cover the preliminary ex-
pense Of establishing a parcel post on
rural mail routes as well as to cover
an investigation having for its 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 parcel post In the city
delivery service
The suggestion that we have a gem
eral parcel post has awakened great
opposition on the part of some who
think that IL 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-
bring about ought to make its coming
certain.
The Navy Department.
ON the I'd OF November last I re-
viewed the fighting fleet OF battleships
and other vessels assembled in New
York harbor. consisting of "a battle-
ships, armored cruisers. 2 cruisers,
22 destroyers. ~ torpedo boats. s SUBJ
marines, and other attendant vessels,
making ss vessels of all classes, of q
tonnage of 576s34 tons.
The fleet was deficient In the num-
Der of torpedo destroyers. In cruisers,
and In colliers, 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
colliers. This Is because the other
and smaller vessels can be built much
more rapidly In case of emergency
than the battieships. and we certainly
ought to continue the policy of two
battleships year until after the
Panama Canal is finished and until in
our first line and In 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 It's estimates ex-
cept for construction and the increase
that that involves.
I urge upon congress the necessity
for an immediate increase of 2.000
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. l refer to the very
excellent reports Of the secretaries Of
those departments. I shall not be able
to submit to congress until after the
Christmas holidays the question OF
conservation of our resources arising
in Alaska and the west and the ques-
tion of the rate for second-ciass mail
matter In the postoftice department.
Elimination Of All Local Offices From
Politics.
l 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
immigration commissioners
and marshals, should be by law COW