Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-12-26
PRESIDENT DENIES ne
IS PLAYING POLITICS
Taft Says Charge Of Democrats
Concerning Patronage Is
An Untruth.

Washington, Dec. 21.-President Taft
Yesterday gave congress his opinion of
the charge that he had been playing
politics In his recent executive order
putting $4,000 fourth class postmasters
under the civil service. The president
made the counter charge that his ac-
cusers on the floor Of the House were
telling "untruths," and declared he
deeply regretted the failure OF con-
gress to pass legislation which prac-
tenn"
Criticism has been made Of this or
der on the ground that the motive was
POLITICAL" said the president. Moth
Ing could be farther 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 authority to put
first, second and third class postmas-
tiers and all other local officers. United
States marshals and the local agents
of the other departments under the
classification of the civil service law
by taking away the necessity of con-
f1rmlng such appointments by tho
Senate I deeply regret the failure Of
congress 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
luG pIGSGlll law, must Always remain a
remnant of the spoils system"
Some Recommendations.
The presidents advice to congress
was contained in his third message of
the year, sent in today. 1t was devoted
largely to a review of the accomplish
ments of several government depart
ments not touched upon in previous
messages and to recommendations for
legislation. The president advocated:
is Ia in, io1,
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 gem
erals plan for a rcadjustment of COM
pensation 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 secure
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 potash
lands in the United States.
Approves Remsen Board.
An act of congress which would
leSdllZe a court authorized to review
decisions on the pure food laws such
as are now made by the Remsen
board
In this connection the president APP
proved the creation of the Remsen
board by former President Roosevelt,
but said the time had come for con-
gress to recognize the necessity for "a
tribunal of appeal" in pure food cases.
While we are struggling to suppress
an evil of great proportions like that
of impure food" said the president,
I'VE must provide the machinery Of
the law itself to prevent it's becoming
an instrument of oppression and we
ought to enable those whose business
Is threatened with humiliation to
have some tribunal and some form Of
appeal in which they have complete
day in court"
The president closed his message
with a recommendation that congress
report for government building at
the Panama Pacific International ex-
position 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 opposition
to the granting of the electric fran
chise to citizens of Washington and
endorsed the plans of the commission
of fine arts for city improvements.