Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-22
CENTRAL BANK NOT DESIRABLE
Approval Given to Proposed National
Reserve Association.
URGES RURAL PARCELS POS
Reduction in Cost of Living Would
Be Brought About,
DEALS WITH TOLLS ON CANAL
Chief Executive Holds Relieving of
American shipping from Payment
for Use of the Canal Not
Discrimination.

WASHINGTON, Dec. a.-President
Taft sent another of his promised series
of messages to congress today. This time
he dealt with currency reform, Panama
canal tolls and various governmental
questions
On the subject of currency reform and
IN connection with the forthcoming re-
port to congress of the monetary COM
mission, President Taft said it was ex-
ceedingly fortunate that the 'wise and
undisputed policy of maintaining un-
changed the main features of our bank
ing system rendered II at once impos-
sible to introduce central bank" He
gave his approval to the proposed Ma
tional Reserve association.
AS to the management of this associa-
tion, the president said this was mainly
bankers works and the banks could be
trusted better than anybody else to
conduct It. However, he urged that some
form OF government supervision and ulti-
mate control should prevail, and that the
currency reform should not be made q
political issue
And / also trust that the new legisla-
tion will carefully and completely pro-
tect and assure the individuality and
the independence of each bank, to the
end that any tendency there may be to-
ward consolidation of the money or
banking powers of the nation shall be
defeated" said the president.
Rural Parcels Post.
The immediate establishment of a rural
, parcels post was urged. The president
took the position that the parcels post
would not destroy the business OF the
country storekeeper. Instead of doing
this" he said. II think the change will
greatly increase business for the benefit
of all. The reduction in the cost of liv-
ing 1t will bring about ought to make its
creation certain"
On the Panama canal the president
dealt at length with the question OF
whether American shipping should pay
tolls. II 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, -
said the president. 1--WE want control. II
is United States money that built Il. we
have the right to charge tolls for its
use. These tolls must be the same to
every one, but when we are dealing with
our own ships, the practice of many
governments subsidizing their own mer-
chant vessels is so well established in
general that a subsidy equal to the tolls,
an equivalent remission Of tolls, cannot
be held to be- a discrimination In the
use Of the canal"
More Men Needed in Navy.
Among the presidents recommendations
were the following:
An immediate increase of 1000 men in
the enlisted strength OF the navy.
Abolition OF the smaller navy yards,
Contributory pension system for gov
ernment employees.
The elimination of ali local offices from
politics.
Increased appropriation for the COM
pletion of river and harbor improvements
along the Mississippi. the Ohio and the
Missouri rivers.
An extension of the term of service OF
the special board Of engineers on the
waterway from the lakes to the gulf
Power in the president to remove clerks
OF federal court for cause.
Payment of the French spoiation. judg-
ments.
Employers liability and workingmen's
compensation legislation called to the at,
tention of congress,