The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1912-12-20
TAFT MAKESPLEA
FOR LEGISLATION.
Ne Refutes Charge Of Playing
''PoIitics."
THIRD MESSAGE TO CONGRESS-
Urges That All Local Officials Be
Placed on Classified List and Sug-
oests Pure Food Court.

Washington, Dec. 20. - President
charge that he had been playing poll
tics in his recent executive order put
ting $4,000 fourth class postmasters
under the civil service.
The president made the counter
charge that his accusers on the floor
Of the house were telling "untruths. :"
and declared that he deeply regretted
the failure of congress to pass legisla-
ton which practically would destroy
the "spoils system
Criticism has been made of this
order on the ground that the motive
was political" said the president.
Nothing could be further from the
truth. The order was made before the
election and in the interest of efficient
public service. / have several times
requested congress to give me au-
thority to put, first, second and third
class postmasters and all other local
officers, including internal revenue Of
hcers, customs officers, United States
marshals and the local agents of the
other departments under the classifi-
cation of the civil service law by TAX
ing away the necessity for confirming
such appointments by the senate.
Il deeply regret the failure of con-
gress to follow these recommends
tons. The change would have taken
out Of politics practically every local
officer and would have entirely cured
the evils growing out of what, under
the present law, must always remain
remnant of the spells system"
The presidents advice was contain
ed in his third message of the year.
1t was devoted largely to review of
the accomplishments of several gov.
eminent departments not touched in
previous messages and to recommen-
dations for legislation. The president
advocated:
Legislation which would permit the
members of the cabinet to sit in either
house Of congress, with the right to
enter into debate and answer ques-
lions, but without vote.
:. The adoption of the postmaster gen.
erals plan for a readjustment of COM
.pensatfon to railways carrying mails,
especially in view of the conditions
which will exist under the parcels post
law.
; A revision of the land laws to Sc
cure proper conservation and at the
same time assure prompt disposition
of land that should be turned over to
private ownership.
Legislation affecting Alaska which
would provide for leases of coal lands
and in respect to mining claims, the
disposition Of oil, phosphate and pot
ash lands in the United States.
The act of congress which would
legalize court authorized to review
decisions on the pure food law, such
g are now made by the Remsen
board. In this connection the president
approved the creation of the Remsen
board by former President Roosevelt,
but said that the time had come for
for "a tribunal of appeal" in pure food |
cases.
The president closed his message |
with recommendation that congress |
appropriate for government building
at the Panama-Pacific International !
at San Francisco and for |
the Identification of Washington In
his discussion of the capital he said |
that public utilities commission was !
needed The president expressed oppo- /
sition to the granting of the elective J
franchise to citizens of Washington
and Endorsed the ulans of the commits
sion Of fine arts for city improvement. |