Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1912-12-12

besn nnary ADJUSTED ana me growth e
vegetation win minimize erosion in the
banks OF the cut. the slide problem will
be practically solved and an ample sta
bility assured for the culebra Cut
Although the official date OF the open
ing has been set for January l, 1915. the
canal will, in fact from present indica-
lions. be opened for shipping during tho
latter half OF 1913, No fixed date can az
yet be set. but shipping interests will be
advised as soon as assurances can be
given that vessels can pass through with
ou< unnecessary delay.
Recognizing the administrative problem
In the management of the canal con-
gress In the act OF August a. 1912, has
made admirable provision for executive
responsibility in the control OF the canal
and the government OF the Canal Zone.
The problem Of most efficient organixa-
ton Is receiving careful consideration. SO
that a scheme of organization and con-
troll best adapted to the conditions OF the
canal may be formulated and put in OPP
Grafton as expeditiously as possible. Act
by congress. l have. by executive procla-
nation. promulgated the following sched-
uel of tolls for ships passing through the
canal. based upon the thorough report
of Emory r. johnson. special commits
sioner on traffic and tolls
l. On merchant vessels carrying pas
sengers or cargo. $40 per net vessel
ton-each 100 cubic feet-of actual capac-
fty.
On vessels in ballast without pas
sengers or cargo, 40 per cent. less than
the rate OF tolls for vessels with passen-
gers or cargo.
g. Upon naval vessels, other than trans
-. ill -1.t~. a tslxr
ships. 30 cents per displacement ton.
4 Upon army and navy transports, col
Hers. hospital ships. and supply ships.
81 20 per net ton, the vessels to be meas
used by the same rules as are employed
in determining the net tonnage Of mer-
chant vessels.
Rules for the determination Of the tom
mage upon which toll charges are based
are now In course OF preparation and
will be promulgated in due season.
Panama Canal Treaty.
The proclamation which I have issued
in respect TO the Panama Canal tolls Is
In accord with the Panama Canal act
passed by this congress August "a, 1912.
We have been advised that the British
government has prepared protest
against the act and Its enforcement In so
far as II relieves from the payment or
tolls American ships engaged in the Amer
lean coastwise trade on the ground that
II violates British rights under the Hay
Pauncefote treaty concerning the Panama
Canal. When the protest Is presented, II
Will be promptly considered and an ef-
fort made to reach satisfactory adjust
ment OF any differences there may be be-
tween the two governments.
Promotion for Col. Cocktails.
AS the completion of the canal grows
nearer, and as the wonderful executive
work OF Col. Cocktails becomes more con-
spicuous in the eyes OF the country and
of the world, It seems to me wise and
proper to make provision by law for such
reward TO him as may be commensurate
with the service that he has rendered TO
his country I suggest that this reward
take the form of an appointment or Col.
Cocktails as a major general In the army
OF the United States. and that the law
authorizing such appointment be accom-
panied with a provision permitting his
designation as chief of engineers upon
the retirement of the present incumbent
or that office.
The navy OF the United States IL In
n greater state Of efficiency and Is
more powerful than IL has been be-
fore. but in the emulation which ex-
lists between different countries in re-
spect to the Increase of naval and
military ornaments this condition is
not a permanent one. In view or the
many improvements and increases by
foreign governments the slightest MATT
on our part in respect to new construc-
ton throws us back and reduces us
from a naval power of the first rank
and places us among the nations OF the
second rank.
A year ago congress refused to APP
propriate for more than one battleship.
In this l think a great mistake OF
policy was made, and I urgently rec
~. -
for the mistake of the last session by
appropriations authorizing the con-
struction Of three batt1eships. in adj
dillon to destroyers, fuel ships. ana
the other auxiliary vessels as shown
in the building program or the general
board. We are confronted by conan
ton in respect to the navies OF the
world which requires us. " we would
maintain our navy as an insurance OF
peace to augment our naval force by
at least two battleships year and by
battle cruisers. gunboats. torpedo de-
strcyers and submarine boats in a
proper prorotion. We have no desir1
for war We go as far as any nation
In the world to avoid war. but we are
a world power Our population. our
wealth our definite policies. our re-
sponsibilities in the Pacific and the At
Iantic our defense Of the Panama ca
nal. together with our enormous world
trade and our missionary outposts on
the frontiers of civilization. require
us to recognize our position as one OF
the foremost in the family OF nations,
and to clothe ourselves with sufficient
naval power to give force to our rea-
sonabIe demands. and to give weight
to our influence in those directions OF
progress that a powerful Christian ma
ton should advocate
Department of Justice.
This department has been very active
in the enforcement of the law. II has
been better organized and with
larger force than ever before in the
history of the government. The prose-
cutions which have been successfully
concluded and which are now pending
testify to the effectiveness Of the de-
-ment work
The prosecution Of trusts under the
Sherman ANTITRUST law has gone on
without restraint or dimirution. and
DEGREES similar to those entered in the
Standard Oil and Tobacco cases have
been entered in other suits. like the
suits against the powder trust and the
bath tub trcst. ] am very strongly con
WINGED that steady. consistent course
in this regard. with continuing OF
a <1x. no