The Van Buren press., 1911-12-23

Grafton and action when the commission's
report is received. and express my salts
faction that the plan to be proposed
promises to embrace main features that
having met the approval of a great pre-
ponderance OF the practical and profes-
sional opinion OF the country, are likely
to meet equal approval In congress.
The War Department
There is now before congress a bill.
the purpose OF which is to increase the
efficiency and decrease the expense of
the army 1t contains four principal fea-
lures. First a consolidation OF the gen
eral staff with the adjutant generals
and the inspector generals department:
second. a consolidation of the quarter
masters department with the subsiste
and pay department; third, the creation
Of an army service corps and fourth, an
extension OF the enlistment period from
three to five years
With the establishment of an army
service corps. as proposed in the bill
! am thoroughly in accord and am con-
vinced that the establishment of such
a corps will result in a material econ
omy and a very great increase OF eff
cheney in the army. 1t has repeatedly
beel: recommended by me and my
predecessors. | also believe that a
so!idation OF the stan corps can be
made with resulting increase in ef-
fciency and economy. but not alo
the lines provided in the bill ~,
consideration.
The army of the United States is "a
good condition.
The Panama Canal.
The very satisfactory progress made
on the Panama canal last year has
continued. and there is every reason
to believe that the canal will be com
pleted as early as the lst OF July, 1913.
unless something unforeseen occurs
This is about Is months before the
time promised by the engineers.
Waterway From Lakes to the Gulf
The project for a navigable water
way from Lake Michigan to the mouth
Of the Illinois river, and thence via
the Mississippi TO the Gulf OF Mexico
is one Of national 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 II an asset Of the nation, and
In view of the fact that the people OF
Illinois have authorized the expendi-
ture Of 500 900 600 TO carry this water.
way SO miles farther to Utica. ! feel
that II is hitting that this work should
be supplemented by the government,
and that the expenditures recommend
ed by the special board Of engineers on
the waterway from Utica to the mouth
OF the Illinois river be made upon lines
which while providing a waterway for
the nation. should otherwise benefit
that state to the fullest extent
Uni gF 10 ,,f
master 10 his servant for personal in
juries to such as are occasioned by his
fault has been abandoned in most CIV
inzed countries and provision made
whereby the employe injured in the
course Of his employment is compen-
satad for his loss Of working ability
Irrespective Of negligence. The prin-
Ciple upon which such provision pro-
ce-ds is that accidental injuries to
w0rkmeu In modern industry. with its
vast COmplexity and inherent dangers
arising from complicated machinery
and the use OF the great forces OF
steam and electricity should be re
Earded as rlsk1 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 commission to
Investigate the subject Of employers
liability and workmcns compensation
and 10 report the result Of their invcs-
LEGATIONS through the president 10
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
bo able 10 repor, by the FIRST OF the
year I'm accordance with the pYovi-
Elous OF the law