The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-12-06

which they have been intrusted to war
rant the belief that they can be edu-
Gated and trained TO complete self gov
eminent. But the present satisfactory
results are due to constant support and
supervision at every step by Ameri-
cans.
If the task we have undertaken is
higher than that assumed by other ma
lions, its accomplishment must de-
mand even more patience. We must
not forget that we found the Filipinos
wholly unframed in government Up
to our advent all other experience
sought to repress rather than encour-
age political power. 1t takes long time
and much experience to ingram po-
litical habits of steadiness and eff
cheney. Popular self government ulti-
mately must rest upon common habits
Of thought and upon reasonably de-
veloped public opinion.
A present declaration even of future
independence would retard progress by
arouse. On our part it would be dis
ingenious attempt, under the guise of
comforting a benefit on them, to relieve
ourselves from the heavy and difficult
burden which thus far we have been
bravely and consistently sustaining.
1t would be a disguised policy of Scut-
tie. 1t would make the helpless Fill
pinO the football of oriental politics,
under the protection of a guaranty of
their independence, which we would
be powerless to enforce.
Regulation of Water Power.
There are pending before congress a
large number of bills proposing to
grant privileges of erecting dams for
the purpose of creating water power
in our navigable rivers. The penden-
cy of these bills has brought out an
important defect in the existing gen
eral dam act That act does not, in
my opinion, grant sufficient power to
the federal government in dealing
with the construction of such dams to
exact protective conditions in the in
terest of navigation 1t does not per
NIT the federal government. as a con-
dition of it's permit, to require that a
part Of the value thus created shall be
applied to the further general i'm.
provement and protection of the
stream. believe this to be one of the
most important matters of internal Inn
provement now confronting the gov
eminent
In my opinion constructive states
manship requires that legislation
should be enacted which will permit
the development of navigation in these
great rivers to go hand in hand with
the utilization of this byproduct of
the same improvement. and that the
general dam act should be so amend
ed as to make this possible.
l deem it highly important that the
nation should adopt a consistent and
harmonious treatment of these water
power projects, which will preserve
for this purpose their value to the gov
eminent, whose right it is to grant the
permit. Any other policy is equiva-
lent to throwing away a most valua-
BILE national asset
The Panama Canal.
During the past year the work of
construction upon the canal has pro.
crossed most satisfactorily. About 81
per cent of the excavation work has
been completed, and more than 90 Der
cent of the concrete for all the locks is
in place. In view of the great interest
which has been manifested as to some
slides in the Culebra cut / am glad to
that fho of
should allay any apprehension on this
point. 1t is gratifying to note that
none Of the slides which occurred dur.
ing this year would have interfered
with the passage of the ships had the
canal in fact been in operation, and
when the slope pressures will have been
finally adjusted and the growth of veg
citation will 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 Jan. 1, 1915, the
canal will in fact, from present indica.
lions, be opened for shipping during
the latter half of 1913. No fixed date
can as yet be set, but shipping interests
will be advised as soon as assurances
can be given that vessels can pass
through without unnecessary delay.
Recognizing the administrative prob.
lem in the management of the canal,
congress in the act of Aug. "a. 1912,
has made admirable provisions for ex-
ecutive responsibility in the control of
the canal and the government Of the
canal zone. The problem of most eff
Gent organization is receiving careful
consideration, so that a scheme of or
ganiZation and control best adapted to
the conditions Of the canal NAV be
formulated and put in operation as ex-
peditiously as possible. Acting under
the authority conferred on me by con-
gress have by executive proclamation
promulgated the following schedule of
tolls for ships passing through the ca
nal. based upon the thorough report of
Emory R. Johnson, special commission
er On tranic and tolls:
First On merchant vessels carryir :
passengers or cargo. I'D Per net vessel
ton-each 100 cubic feet-of actual earning
capacity.
Second.-On vessels IN ballast without
passengers or cargo. 20 per cent less than
the rate Of tolls for vessels with passen-
gers or cargo.
Third--Upon naval vessels other than
transports Golfers. hospital ships and
supply ships, 80 cents per displacement
tom