Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-07
TAFT's MESSAGE.
CONTINUED from Page one.)

of two; and Endorsed again the
scheme of currency reform proposed
by the National Monetary commits
sion.
Conservation was lightly touched,
the President recommending the
amendment of bills, now before Con-
gress, so that water power com
panies, which dam navigable rivers,
will contribute to the improvement of
these streams.
He declared that no radical change
in the Sherman antitrust law was
needed, and praised the supreme court
for its recently announced changes IN
rules of equity procedure. In this con-
nection the President asked Congress
to pass legislation, which would al
low the supreme court to formulate
rules of procedure under the common
law in federal courts and predicted
that such action would facilitate JUS
tice in those courts and reduce the
cost of litigation to the public.
The Panama Canal was dismissed
in a few words, the President prophe-
sying its opening in the latter half of
1913 He took occasion, however, to
declare that Congress should reward
the work of Colonel Goethals by an
appointment as major general with
the provision that he become chief
of engineers when the term of the
present incumbent expires. de made
only a brief reference to the dispute
with Great Britain over the Panama
Canal Act and said that when a form
al protest was lodged against that
act it would be taken up by the Unit
ed States.
The army the President discussed
at some length. He praised the army
legislation of the last Congress, but
said that provision should be made by
law so that the nations foreign reg
iments may be always maintained
upon a war footing; and he urged
the passage of the pending militia
pay bill, designed to make service in
the militia more enticIng and show
ed that the home army will be moth
ing more than Skeleton" until Con-
gress provides that it be concentrated
in fewer posts than are now MAIN
tanned. He urged also the passage of
another bill now before Congress de-
signed to raise quickly a volunteer
army in case of war.
One of the striking arguments of
the message was that proposing au-
tonomy for the Philippines at once,
and independence in eight years
In the Philippine Islands We have en-
barked upon an experiment unprecedent
ed in dealing with dependent peoples,
said President Taft I'VE are developing
there conditions exclusively for their owr
welfare. Through the unifying forces
of common education, of commercial
and economic development. and of grad
ual participation in local self-govern.
ment, we are endeayoring to evolve g
homogeneous people fit to determine, wher
the time arrives. their own destiny We
are seeking to arouse national spirit
and not as under the older colonial theo-
~. to suppress such spirit. But oul
work is far from done. Our duty to the
Filipinos is far from discharged"
For educational sanitary and politica
reasons, the President said. this country
should not consent to grant independence
at this time.
IF the task we have undertaken is
ingher than that assumed by other ma
TONS" continued the President, ats ac
complishment must demand even NOR,
patience: To confer independence upor
the Filipinos now is, therefore, to sub
ieet the great mass of their people e
the dominance of an oligarchial and prob
ably exploiting minority Such a cours
will be as cruel TO those people as
would be shameful to us"
In addition to his advice in regard t,
legislation and his opposition to pendihe
measures. the President discussed Tho
! prosperity of the nation, it's financial con
ditlon and the proposed system of a ma
tional budget showing proposed expendi
| lures and revenues. and called attention
| TO the balance in the general fund o
| the treasury of almost sl70O0O,0Oo His
remarks on the budget system he said
would be submitted to Congress later
accompanied by model budget.