The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1911-12-21

DdiseS, anu IL actually using the river
Tor transportation in order to show
what can be done in the way of at
fecting rates between Kansas City and
st. Louis, and in order to manifest
their good faith and confidence In re-
spect of the Improvement urgently
recommend that the appropriation for
this Improvement be increa sed from
$6OO.000, as recommended now in the
completion of a contract, to 1000, COO
annually, SO that the work may be
done in 10 years.
Waterway From the Lakes to tho Gulf.
The project for a navigable water
way from Lake Michigan to the mouth
OF tho illinois river and thence via. the
Mississippi to the Gulf OF Mexico, is
one of rational 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 1t an asset of the nation, and in
view of the fact that the people Of
Illinois have authorized the expendi-
ture of $20,000.00O to carry this water
way 81 miles farther to Utica, | feel
that 1t Is fitting that this work should
be supplemented by the government,
and that the expenditures recommend
on the waterway from Utica 10 the
mouth of the Illinois river be made
upon the lines which while providing
waterway for the nation should
otherwise benefit that state to the fuIl-
est extent. / recommended that the
term Of service of said special board
OF engineers be continued, and that
IL, be empowered tc reopen the ques-
ton of the treatment of the lower
Illinois river, and to negotiate with n
properly constituted commission repre-
senting the state of Illinois, and to
agree upon a plan for the improve
ment of the lower Illinois river and
upon the extent to which the United
States may properly cooperate with
the state of Illinois in securing the
construction of navigable waterway
from Lockport to the mouth OF the
Illinois river in conjunction with the
development OF water power by that
state between Lockport and Utica.
Department. Of Justice.
The report of the attorney general
shows that he has subjected to close
examination the accounts of the clerks
of the federal courts; that he has
found a good many which disclose ir-
regularities or dishonesty; but that he
has had considerable difficulty in Sc
moval Of the clerks thus derelict. am
certainly 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 prac-
tical tenure for life on the part of the
clerk are not calculated to secure the
strictness Of dealing by the Judge with
the clerk In respect to his fees and
accounts which assures in the clerks
conduct a freedom from overcharges
and carelessness.
Removal of Clerks.
The relationship between the Judge
and the clerk makes 1t ungracious for
members of the bar to complain of the
clerk or for department examiners to
make charges against him to be heard
by the court, and an order Of removal
of clerk and judgment for the re-
covery OF fees are in some cases re-
luctantly entered by the Judge. For
this reason / recommend an amend
ment to the law whereby the president
shall be given power to remove the
clerks for cause. This provision need
not interfere with the right of the
judge to appoint his clerk or to re-
move him.
Employers Liability.
The limitation or the liability of the
master to his servant for personal in
Jur1eS to such as are occasioned by his
fault has been abandoned in most civil
lized countries and provision made
whereby the employee injured in the
course of his employment is compen-
sated for his loss of working ability
irrespective of negligence. The prtn-
.ciple upon which such provision pro-
fa hat
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 proportion
by those who for their own profit en-
gage therein. In recognition of this
the last congress authorized the ap-
pointment of a commission to investi.
gate the subject of employers liability
and workmen's compensation and to
report the result Of their Investigations
through the president, to congress. This
commission was appointed and has
been at work. holding hearings, gath
ering data, ,and considering the subject.
and 1t Is expected will be able to re-
port by the first OF the year, In accord
ance with the provisions of the law.
1t is hoped and expected that the COM
mission will suggest legislation which
will enable us to put in the place Of
the present wasteful and sometimes
unjust system OF employers liability
plan of compensation which will af-
ford some certain and definite relief
to all employers who are injured in
the course OF their employment in
those industries which are subject to
the regulating power of congress.
Measures to Prevent Delay.
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
steps to reform the present equity
rules of the federal courts and that
we may in the near future expect
revision Of them which will be a long
step in the right direction.
The American Bar association has
recommended to congress several bills
expediting procedure, one OF which has
already passed the house unanimously
Feb. 6, 1911.
Postoffice.
At the beginning or the present ad-
ministration in 1909 the postal service
was in arrears to the extent or 317.-
479,77O.47. 1t was very much the larg-
est deficit on record. In the brief
space of two years this has been turned
into a surplus of $22O,000, which has
been accomplished without curtailment
of the postal facilities. as may be seen
by the fact that there have been es-
tablished 3,744 new postoffices; de-
livery by carrier has been added to the
service In 1876 cities; 2,516 new rural
routes have been established. covering
$4,000 miles; the force OF postal en-
Y,l0voos has haaf, incroa cad fff, fhaaa fxzyf.