The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-17
De La Barra Sends Message
 to Congress
HAS OPTIMISTIC NOTE
Declares Peace Is Restored in Practi- caIly All Parts of the Country and Federal Revenues
 Are Increasing


 | fears felt by the authorities, the cele- bration of the anniversary of Mexicos | declaration of independence was conclud- ed tonight without any disorder, either Friday night, when the "grito' was pro- ncunced by President De La Barra, or today.
 The animation of the people was mo- ticeably more marked than in previous years, but their conduct called Tor no oppressive measures by the police. The chief feature of the celebration was the military parade and review following patriotic programme at chapultepec, ane the comforting of decorations upon number of army officers. Rain tonight kept the crowds off the | streets.
 In keeping with his peculiar position as president ad interim. Senor Francisco De La Barra, presented to congress In his annual message such praise as he could of the last days of the old regime, and reviewed the history of his term Of office.
 | A note of optimism ran through the | entire message. As the president views the situation the late revolution has not | impaired the revenues of the nation 10 any appreciable extent and he expressed | the belief that it would be but short l time before the prosperity of the coun- | try would be far more marked. l He declared that already peace had been restored in practically all parts Of the republic, and that the elections already l 70 tha not been marred by any serious disorders. Notwithstanding the abnormal con dition through which the country pass ed in the last four months of the hsca year." said President De La Barra, the | federal revenues did not decrease, bu' | on the ntrary there was shown an increase. The increase at the customs house was 1,760,000 pesos over that ol the corresponding period of last year
 Increases shown
 He stated that other departments oi | revenue with the poss,ole exception oi | the stamp tax department. had alse 1 shown considerable increase Int stamp tax revenues showed a decrease of a little more than 3 per cent \ The President says signs of i'm provement are found in the fact tha | the National Railway nave been abl Il to resume complete operation of tn system and that traffic has shown al increase.
 An interesting feature of the mes sage was the fact that it took int consideration the s,000.oo0 pesos appro priation voted upon the recommends ton of Senor Jose Y. Lmantour fol carrying on the war against the revo Ilutionists followed bS the appropria' ton of 6,000,000 pesos addition May 31, five days after General Diaz sailed for Europe. The President explained the combined sum was used partly fol the purpose for whic~ Limantour in tended but that a great portion wen | toward the payment of revolutionar, troops when they were mustered out and for the general pacifcation of thu country.
 Out of this fund there was paid { debt of s42,195 pesos contracted by thu revolutionary party, and which had been recognized by the revolutionar, | government at Juarez.
 At this point in his message Presi dent De La Barra offered as evidence that the revolutionary government hat contracted no loans abroad the state ment that no claims had been presented Up to date.
 Notwithstanding the extraordinar! disbursements" the message continued
 lat the end of last August there wer' 54,2S0,471 pesos in the treasury reserve This amount may be varied slightly b! the receipt of certain foreign accounts now pending"
 The presidents message revealed th' fact that claims for indemnity so fal presented against the government mum Der 1004 and call for the payment o, l10,394,790 pesos.
 The question of contract labor which has been exploited by many writers as having resulted in condition of prac- tical slavery was dealt with. The presi' dent assured congress that soon there lwould be submitted for its approval g plan for the establishment of a bu- reau of labor whose duties would In. clude the drafting of new rules under which labor should be contracted. The plan contemplates that this burea, shall act when necessary as board ol
 arbitration to settle disputes between
 employers and employees
 Many congressman who was pres
 ent at the closing of the spring ses
 sion was absent when the joint ses
 sion of deputies and senators wa,
 called to order tonight Some hay,
 been given work in other branches O.
 the government while others, partisan' of the old regime, are absent.
 The galleries were filled when tn, president began reading his message . and at intervals the spectators joined
 with congressman in applauding thu
 executive.