The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-02-09

need Iof a k|OFeIhAiShe =" 4,
owers than nov exists there, IL j
can be said to have any government
at all.
Lower Colorado River.
There is transmitted herewith .
letter from the Secretary OF the IN
terror setting out the work done un'
der Joint resolution approved June 20
1910, authorizing the expenditure oil
$1,000, 900, or 80 much thereof az
might be necessary, to be expended
by the President for the purpose oil
protecting lands and property In the
Imperial valley and elsewhere along
the Colorado river In Arizona. The
money was expended and the protec-
tive works erected, but the disturb
anoes in Mexico SO delayed the work.
and the foods In the Colorado river
were so extensive that q part OF the
works have been carried away. and
the need for further action and .
penditure Of money exists.
Water.PoWer Sftsa.
In previous communications to Con-
gress I have pointed out two methods
by which the w~ater-power sites on
non.navigabls streams may be con-
trolled as between the state and the
national government, II has seemed
wise that the control should be CON
centrated In one government or the
other as the active participant In
supervising It's 8 by private enter.
prise.
The Secretary Of the Interior has
suggested another method by which
tho water-power site shall be leased
directly by the government to those
who exercise q public franchise un-
der provisions imposing a rental for
the water power to create a fund to
be expended by the general govern
ment for the improvement of the
stream and the benefit of the local
community where the power site Is,
and permitting the state to regulate
the rates at which the converted
power is sold. The latter method sug.
by the Secretary Ii q more
direct method for Federal control,
and IN view Of the probable union
and systematic Organization and weld
ing together of the power derived
from water within a radius of 300 or
400 miles, | think 1t better that the
power Of control should remain In
national government than that
t should be turned over to the states.
such a system the Federal gov.
srnment would have such direct SUI
oervision of the whole matter that
my honest administration could cas-
ly prevent the abuses which a monop
'ly of absolute ownership in private
or companies would make
possible.
For some years past the high and
increasing cost of living has
,een O matter of such grave public
'oncern that | deem 1t OF great public
interest that an international confer.
nee be proposed at this time for the
of preparing plans, to be sub
to the various governments, for
n International inquiry into the high
ost Of living, Its extent, causes, of.
.cts, and possible remedies. II there.
ore recommend that, to enable the
resident to invite foreign govern
nents to such a conference, to be held
t Washington or elsewhere, the con
provide an appropriation, not to
ixceed 100000, to defray the expenses
Il preparation and of participation by
he United States.
on Industrial Relations.
The extraordinary growth Of indus
ry In the past two decades and its
evolutionary changes have raised new
md vital questions as to the relations
between employers and wage earners
which have become matters of press
ng public concern. Industrial rela-
ions concern the public for a doubts
eason. We are directly interested In
he maintenance of peaceful and sta
lie Industrial conditions for the sake
our W comfort and well-being;
nut society is equally interested. In ltd
Effectively civic capacity, in seeing
hat u institutions are effectively
maintaining justice and fair dealing
'etween any classes of citizens whose
economic interests may seem TO
lash.
The MAGNITUDE and complexity OF
industrial disputes have put
Ipon some OF our statutes and our
'resen mechanism for adjusting such
lfferences-where We can be said to
ave any mechanism at ALA strain
hey were never intended to bear and
or which they are unsuited. What is
recently needed to day is a re.exami.
M~Isbrandina imported Goods.
My attention has been called to the
which is done in this country
y the sale Of article Tn the trade
Importing to be made In Ireland,
'hen they are not SO made, and IL Is
u~ggestedNthat the justice of the enact.
lent of a law which, so far as the fur.
sdiction of the federal government
an go, would prevent a continuance
{ this Misrepresentation to the pub.
c and fraud upon those who are en-
tiled to use the statement in the sale
their goods. | think it to be great,
7 In the interest OF fair dealing, which
ught always to be encouraged by law.
Or congress to enact a law making it
misdemeanor, punishable by fine or
Imprisonment, to use the mails or to
ut into interstate commerce any ar.
Giles OF merchandise which bear upon
heir face a statement that they have
cen manufactured In some particular
ountry when the fact is otherwise.