The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-12-19
Preaident Makes Suggestion That
Cabinet OFFICERS Be Given a
Place In Congress in
tho Future.
us NOT A NEW REFORM
Only Solution Of Trust Question 10
the Enforcement Of Sherman
Law Which ls Gradually
Succeeding.

TINTED Press Leased Wire Service. n
WASHINGTON. Dec. 19.--President
Taft today submitted to congress In
concrete form the idea he advan.
ced at the recent banquet OF the
Lotus club in New York that cabi-
net officers be given places In con-
gress. The specific recommendation
10 this end was included In the presi-
dents third message to the national
legislature so far this seasion, dealing
with affairs in the interior, agricul-
ture, postoffice and commerce and
labor departments. In It he also
strongly outlined his stand on the
trust question.
"A commission which looks to the
fixing OF prices is altogether imprac-
tical and ought not for a moment to
be considered as q possible solution
OF the trust question: he asserted.
THE trust question in the enforce
ment Of the Sherman antitrust law is
gradually solving itself; is maintain
4 lHk Liz anu tOEtQt inS Siho
| practice of competition, and IL the
/ law is quietly but firmly enforced.
business will adjust itself to the sta
! tuatory requirement and the unrest
4 in commercial circles, provoked by
the trust discussion, will disappear"
Other recommendations TO congress-
urged by the president We're for
special court to hear appeals In the
reinforcement Of the pure food law.e
that land laws be completely revised
to insure proper conservation and yet
! permit development; that pay TO rail-
roads for carrying the mail be re-
adjusted, for public utilities COM
mission in the District Of Columbia
and for generous appropriations for
/ erection of buildings and installing OF
, government exhibits at the Panama
Pacific exposition in 1915.
The presidents plan for seating
cabinet members in congress is appar.
emily modelled after the system now
: in vogue in the British parliament.
The executive plans for them to take
part in the debate and ito answer
questions of which they have had due
notice"
In this connection, the president
said;
THE rigid holding apart OF the Leg
islative and executive branches of
! this government is not worked ror
the great advantage of either. II was
never intended that they should be
separated in the sense of not being in
, constant, effective touch and relation
= ship to each other. The legislative
: and the executive each performs it's
own appropriate functions, but these
:. functions must be co-ordinated Time
j, and time again debates have arisen
/, in each house, upon issues which the
y information of a particular depart.
4 ment head would have enabled him
i II present, to end at once by simple
N explanation or statement | do not
think / am mistaken in saying that
the presence of the members OF the
. cabinet on the floor OF each house
. would greatly contribute to the enact
o ment of beneficial legislation"
q The president also pointed out tn.
a fact that cabinet officials, If they
a knew they would daily have face
a quizzing as to their departments
a would probable pay closer attention
a to their work and give it greater at
q tention to avoid criticism. Compar
q ing his own suggestion he said tha
. he would favor giving cabinet mem
q bers vote il it we're possible unde
q the American governmental plan,
q Department heads, he declared
. would certainly exert great influenc
q under the plan he proposed. Tha
q the reform was not new WAS pointe
q out In the message by citation OF
q favorable report in the 3Sth congres
a on plan almost identical and ais
a in the senate in 1881.
q On department matters, The pres
. dent predicts the postal sayins
a banks. now running at a deficit I,
o 100000 a year. will be self-sustaipir
a when the deposits reach S50,000,00
. About S2s 100000 is now deposited.
. Taft also vigorously defends h
q recent proclamation placing $50
. third and fourth class postmast
o under civil service. declaring the I
a form was not undertaken "for poll
Q cal motives but in the interest
4 efficient public service