The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-02-02
Favors Government Building
a Railroad into the Rich
Mineral District of Big
Territory.
TAFT SHOWS ALARM
OVER LABOR STRIFE
Also Asks in Message for a
Commission to Prevent
Strikes-High Cost of Liv-
ing Also Subject.
tNational News Association

National News Association)
WASHINGTON. Feb. a.-Dcmand
Tor Immediate legislation to permit the
beginning of the development or Alas
ka and the opening OF Alaskan resour-
ces Ia made In message on the work
OF the Interior Department and other
matters sent to Congress today by
President Taft.
While making it plain that he does
not indorse the wide principles Of goy.
ernment ownership. nevertheless the
President declares that. in justice to
the Alaskan people and the United
States. Congress ought to open the
way to allow the government to con-
struct railroad into the rich mineral
fields of the territory.
The chief questions among the 10Th
er matters" relate to industrial dis
putes and the high cost OF living. Tho
President. alarmed by the growing hos
thty between capital and labor which
twentieth century conditions are fos-
terins. asks for a communications which
shall prevent strikes and smooth the
relations between employers and en-
ployes.
Why Prices Are Hiah.
President Taft recommends that this
government take the initiative In tho
formation of an International commits
sion which shall investigate the cause
OF the increase in the prices OF the nee
essities of life the world over.
After discussing the qualities OF the
Alaskan coal fields, the President
says:
II am not In favor of government
ownership where the same certainty
and efficiency of service can be had BY
private enterprise, but / think the con-
ditions presented Ii Alaska are or such
q character - to warrant the govern-
ment for the purpose Of encourasfnx
the developments Of that vast ana -
markable territory, to build ana own I
trunk line railroad which 1t osaue e3easo
on terms which may be varied sAad ]
changed to meet the growing prosper
ity and development of the territory.
There is nothing In the history OF
the United States which affords such
just reason for criticism al the failure
of the federal government to extend
the beneht Of its fostering care to the
Territory OF Alaska. think the United
States owes it therefore to Alaska and
to the people who have gone there to
take an exceptional step and to build
railroad that will open the treasures
OF Alaska to the Pacific and to the peo-
pie who live along the ocean on our
western coast. The construction OF
railroad and ownership OF the fee do
not necessitate government opera
ton"
Commission Government.
The president suggests that commits
sioners be named by Congress to In
vestigate routes and cost, also to make
a report upon the condition and extent
OF the Alaskan coal fields. The Presi-
dent reiterates his recommendation
for commission form OF Government
for Alaska as the best form suited to
that territory's needs.
After recommending the establish
ment of bureau of national parks,
the President takes up the high cost
Of living problem. He asks for IN ap-
preparation of $4,000 to defray the ex-
penses of United States commission
to colfer with foreign delegates On
ways and means to reduce the increas-
ing costs The President suggests that.
an international conference be called
in this city and that foreign govern
ments be invited TO participate.
Alarmed by the Industrial warfare
abroad and by the growing hostility
between capital and labor in this coun-
try. the President comes forward In
his message with . proposition that 4
commission on industrial relations.
which will act al q sort Of national
mediator in times of dispute. b. form
ed. He says:
| A. TO Labor Strikes.
"In spite Of the frequency With
which we are exposed to these dangers
tstrikes) and In spite Of the absenco.
OF provisions for dealing with them,
we continue to assume with eesy %
ing confidence that IN each new c4Se.
somehow or other, the parties to the
dispute will find some solution which
viii be agreeable to themselves and
consistent with public interest. We III
see the grave objection 10 strikes and
Il Drxv