Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-19
Defends Executive Order
Placing Postmasters Un-
der Civil Service.
REPLIES TO ACCUSERS
Still FavorS Classifying of PraC-
tiCaIIy All of Appointive
Offices.

Washington, Dec. 19.-President Taft
today gave congress his opinion of the
charge that he had been playing poll
tics in his recent executive order put
ting 10000 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 Deep
ly regretted the failure of congress to
pass legislation which practically would
destroy the "spoils system"
Criticism has been made Of this or
der on the ground that the motive was
political" said the president. Moth
ing could be further from the truth
The order was made before the elec-
ton and in the interest OF efficient pub
lie service. have several times re-
quested congress to give me authority
to put first, second and third class post
masters, and all other local officers, in
Guiding internal revenue officers, Gus
toms officers, United States marshals
and the local agents of the other de-
partments under, the classification of
the civil service law by taking away
the necessity of confirming such ap.
pointments by the senate. l deeply re
gret the failure OF congress to follow
these recommendations. The change
would have taken out of politics prac-
tically 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
REVIEWS DEPARTMENT WORK.
The presidents advice to congress
was contained in his third message
of the year, sent in today. 1t was de-
voted largely to review of the accom-.
plishments of several government de-
partments not touched upon in previous
messages, and to recommendations for
legislation. The president advocated:
Legislation which would permit mem.
bers OF the cabinet to sit in either
| house of congress, with the right to
enter into debate and answer ques-
tions, but without a vote.
| The adoption of the postmaster gen
erals plan for a readjustment Of COM
pensation of 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 pot.
ash lands in the United States.
An act of congress which would
legalize a court authorized to review
decisions on the pure food law such
as are now made by the Remsen
boards.
TRIBUNAL OF APPEAL.
In this connection the president ap-
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 in the law
itself to prevent its becoming an in.
strument of oppression, and we ought
to enable those whose business Ia
threatened with annihilation to have
some tribunal and some form of appeal
in which they have a complete day in
tcourt"
The president closed his message
with a recommendation that congress
Appropriate for a government building
at the Panama Pacific International
exposition at San Francisco and for
the Identification of Washington. In
his discussion of the capital he said
that a public utilities commission was
needed The president expressed op
position to the granting of the elective
franchise to citizens of Washington and
endorsed the plans of the commission
OF fine arts for city Improvement.
HOUSE IN RECESS.
The house today adjourned for the
Christmas holiday recess until Jan. +:
without receiving President Taft's
I;egsage. The message, however, was
sent. 1t also went to the senate
which remained in session.
Only Woman Plumber Is Dead.
, Dnrkford IN nan 10 AE.o Tz-.s.