The Colorado statesman., 1912-12-14

been finally adJustad and the growth OF
vegetation will minimize erosion In the
banks of the cut. the slide problem will
be practically solved and an ample sta
bility assured for the Culebra Cut.
Although the official date of the open
Ing has been set for January /, 1916 the
canal Will. in fact from present indica-
tions. be opened for shipping during the
latter half of 1913 No fixed date can as
yet be set but shipping interests will be
advised as soon assurances can be
given that vessels can pass through with
out unnecessary delay.
Recognizing the administrative problem
in the management of the canal. con-
gress in the act of August 2i. 1912. has
made admirable provision for executive
responsibility in the control of the canal
and the government of the Canal Zone.
The problem of most efficient organza-
tion is receiving careful consideration, so
that scheme OF organization and con-
troll best adapted to the conditions of the
canal may be formulated and put in op-
Grafton as expeditiously as possible. Act
ing under the authority conferred on me
by congress, I have, by executive procla-
nation, promulgated the following sched-
uel of tolls for ships passing through the
canal. based upon the thorough report
OF Emory r. Johnson. special commits
sioner on traffic and tolls:
l. On merchant vessels carrying pas
sengers or cargo. s120 per net vessel
ton-each 100 cubic feet-of actual capac-
ity.
2. On vessels in ballast without pas
sengers or cargo. 40 per cent. less than
the rate of tolls for vessels with passen-
gers or cargo.
5. Upon naval vessels. other than trans
ports. colliers. hospital ships. and supply
ships. % cents per displacement ton.
T. Upon army and navy transports. col
liers, hospital ships. and supply ships.
81. 20 per net ton. the vessels to be meas
nv fhn rft1a
in determining the net tonnage of mer-
chant vessels.
Rules for the determination OF the ton
mage upon which tell charges are based
are now in course Of preparation and
will be promulgated in due season.
Panama Canal Treaty.
The proclamation which I have issued
in respect to the Panama Canal tolls Is
in accord with the Panama Canal act
passed by this congress August "a. 1872.
We have been advised that the British
government has prepared a protest
against the act and Its enforcement In so
far as 1t relieves from the payment of
, tolls American ships engaged in the Amer
ican coastwise trade on the ground that
1t violates British rights under the Hay
Pauncefote treaty concerning the Panama
Canal When the protest is presented, IL
will be promptly considered and an eff
fort made to reach satisfactory adjust
ment OF any differences there may be be-
tween the two governments.
Promotion for Col. Goethals.
As the completion of the canal grows
nearer. and as the wonderful executive
work of Col. Goethals becomes more con-
spicuous in the eyes of the country and
OF the world. 1t seems to me wise and
proper to make provision by law for sucn
reward to him as may be commensurate
with the service that he has rendered TO
| his country I suggest that this reward
fQ1y thn fnrr1 nf n
Goethals a major general in the army
| of the United States, and that the law
| authorizing such appointment be accom-
| panied with n provision permitting MS
designation chief of engineers upon
the retirement of the present incumbent
of that office.
The navy OF the United States is In
greater state of efficiency and is
more powerful than 1t has been be-
| fore. but in the emulation which eN-
lists between different countries In re-
| spect to the increase of naval ana
military armaments this condition is
not a permanent one. In view OF the
| many improvements and increases py
| foreign governments the slightest halt
| on our part in respect to new construc-
| tion throws us back and reduces us
| from a naval power of the first rank
| and places US among the nations OF the
| second rank.
" A year ago congress refused to ap-
propriate for more than one battleship:
| In this I think a great mistake OF
policy was made. and I urgently rec
| ommend that this congress make up
for the mistake of the last session by
| appropriations authorizing the con-
| struction OF three battleships. in ad-
/ dition to destroyers. fuel ships. ana
the other auxiliary vessels as shown
in the building program OF the general
board We are confronted by condi-
ton in respect to the navies of the
world which requires us. ff we would
| maintain our navy as an insurance or
peace to augment our naval force by
! at least two battleships year and by
| battle cruisers, Runboats. torpedo de-
stroyers, and submarine boats In
proper prorotion. We have no desire
| for war. We go as far us any nation
| in the world to avoid war. but we are
a world power. Our population. our
wealth. our definite policies. our re-
| sponsibilities in the Pacific and the At
lantic. our defense of the Panama ca
nal together with our enormous world
| trade and our missionary outposts on
! the frontiers of civilization. require
us to recognize our position as one or
| the foremost in the family of nations.
and to clothe ourselves with sufficient
naval power to give force to our rea-
| sonable demands and to give weight
to our influence in those directions of
progress that a powerful Christian ma
ton should advocate.
Department Of Justice.
This department has been very active
in the enforcement of the law. 1t has
been better organized and with
| larger force than ever before In the
history of the government. The prose-
| cutions which have been successfully
| concluded and which are now pending
testify to the effectiveness of the de-
partment work.
Tho prosecution of trusts under the
sherman antitrust law has gone on
! without restraint or diminution. and
DEGREES similar to those entered in the
standard Oil and Tobacco cases have
been entered in other suits like tho
suits against the powder trust and the
| bath tub trust. I am very strongly con-
,inred that a steady. consistent course
| in this regard with a continuing OF
| supreme court decisions upon the new
nhases of the trust question not already