The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1912-12-19
TAFT SAYS HOUSE
TELLS "UNTRUTHS"
CIVIL SERVICE ORDER
President Rebuke S
Critics and Assails
Spoils System.
I'm THIRD MESSAGE
Advocates Seats in Congress
for Cabinet Members and
Revision of Land Laws.

Washington. d. C.-President Taft
gave congress his opinion OF the
charges that he has been playing
politics in his recent executive order
putting 5000 fourth-class postmas-
lers under the civil service.
The president made the counter
charge that his accusers on the floor
of the House were telling ''untruths
and declared he deeply regretted the
failure OF congress to pass legisa-
tion which practically would destroy
The 'spoils system
"Criricism has been made OF this
order on the ground that the motive
was political" said the President
Nothing could I've further from the
truth. The order was made before
election and in the interest OF an
efficient public service. have sew
,ral times requested congress to give
me authority TO put the first, second
and third class postmasters and
all other local officers, including in
ternal revenue officers, custom Off
GERS. United States marshalls and
the loal agents of the other depart
mcnts, under the classification of the
civil service law by taking away the
necessity of confirming such appoint
mcnts by the Senate. ! deeply re-
gyct the failure of congress to fol-
follow these recommendations 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 a
remnant OF the spoils system
Recommendations.
The presidents advice to congress
was contained in his third message
OF the year, sent in today. 1t was
devoted largely to review of the
accomplish Of the several gov
ernment departments not touched up
on in previous messages and to rec
concentrations for legislation. The
president advocates:
Legislation which would permit
members of the cabinet to sit in
either house of congress with the
the right to enter into debate an6
answer questions, but without {
vote.
Adoption of the postmaster-gener
ais plan for REIMBURSEMENT of the
compensation to railways carrying
mails, especially in view of condition;
which will exist under the parcels
post law
Revision of the land laws to Sc
cure proper conservation and at thu
same time to assure the prompt dis
position of land that should he turn
ed over to private ownership.
Legislation affecting Alaska, whic\
would provide for leases OF coal land
and in respect OF mining claims.
Tho disposition of oil, phosphat
and potash lands in the United States
An act of congress which woul
legalize a court authorized to revieN
decisions on the pure food law. sue
as are now made by the Remse
board Is this connection the pres
dent approved the creation of til
Remsen board by Roosevelt. but sal
the time had come for congress
recognize the necessity for
tribunal of appeal" in pure food case
The president closed his messas
with Recommendation that congres
appropriate money for a governmel
building nj the Panama-Pa Pacfic il
ternational exposition at San Fral
cisco and for the Identification
Washington The presiednt expires
ed opposition to the granting of II
elective franchise TO citizens OF tt
city of Washington