The Van Buren press., 1912-02-03


need for a government OF much wider
powers than now exists there, II It
can be said to have any government
at all.
Lower Colorado River.
There is transmitted herewith a
letter from the Secretary of the In
terror setting out the work done un-
der joint resolution approved June rs,
1910, authorizing the expenditure Of
81 100000, or so much thereof as
might be necessary, to be expended
by the President for the purpose OF
protecting lands and property in the
Imperial valley and elsewhere along
the Colorado river in Arizona. The
money was expended and the protec-
tive works erected but the disturb
ances in Mexico so delayed the work.
and the floods in the Colorado river
were so extensive that part Of the
works have been carried away, and
the need for further action and ex-
penditure of money exists
Water.PoWer Stss.
In previous communications to Con-
gress | have pointed out two methods
by which the water-power sites on
non-navigable streams may be con-
trolled as between the state and the
national government. 1t has seemed
wise that the control should be con-
centrated in one government or the
other as the active participant In
supervising its use by private enter
prise.
The Secretary of the Interior has
suggested another method by which
the water-power site shall be leased
directly by the government to those
who exercise a public franchise un-
der provisions imposing a rental for
the water power to create fund to
be expended by the general govern
ment for the Improvement of the
stream and the benefit Of the local
community where the power site Is,
and permitting the state to regulate
the rates at which the converted
power is sold The latter method sug.
gested by the Secretars is more
direct method for Federal control,
and in view of the probable union
and systematic organization and weld
ing together of the power derived
from water within radius OF 300 or
power of control should remain in
the national government than that
1t should be turned over to the states.
Under such a system the Federal gov
ernment would have such direct SUI
pervision of the whole matter that
any honest administration could cas-
lily prevent the abuses which a monop-
oily Of absolute ownership in private
persons or companies would make
possible
For some years past the high and
steadily increasing cost Of living has
been a matter Of such grave public
concern that ! deem 1t of great public
interest that an international confer.
ence be proposed at this time for the
purpose of preparing plans, to be sub
mltted to the various governments, for
an international inquiry into the high
cost of living, It's extent, causes, eff.
fects, and possible remedies, | there
fore recommend that to enable the
president to invite foreign govern
ments to such a conference, to be held
at Washington or elsewhere, the con.
press provide an appropriation, not to
exceed $4,000, to defray the expenses
Of preparation and OF participation by
the United States,
Commission on Industrial Relations.
The extraordinary growth OF indus.
try in the past two decades and its
revolutionary changes have raised new
and vital questions as to the relations
between employers and wage earners
which have become matters OF press.
Ing public concern. Industrial rela.
tions concern the public for double
reason. We are directly interested In
the maintenance Of peaceful and sta.
BILE industrial conditions for the sake
OF our own comfort and well.being;
but society is equally interested, In It's
effectively civic capacity, In seeing
that our institutions are effectively
maintaining justice and fair dealing
between any classes OF citizens whose
economic interests may seem to
clash,
The magniture and complexlty OF
modern industrial disputes have put
upon some OF our statutes and our
presen mechanism for adjusting such
lifferenoes--w whore we can be said to
have any mechanism At ala strain
they were never Intended TO bear and
for which they are unsulted, What IL
urgently needed to day Is re.exami
Mlsbrandng Imported Goods.
My attention has been called to the
injustice which IL done In thls country
by the salo OF article In the trade
purpOrtIng 10 bo made In Ireland
when they are not 40 made, and II Ia
suggested that the Justice OF the enact.
ment Of law which, 80 far as the jur
lsdlctlon OF the federal government
con 80, would prevent II continuance
Of this misrepresentation to the pub
lie and fraud upon those who are en-
titled to use the statement In the sale
Of their goods think It TO be- great
ly H. the interest Of fair dealing, which
ought always TO be encouraged by law
for congress- TO enact law making It
miedemeanor, punishable by fine or
imprisonment to use the mails or TO
put into interstate commerce any mr.
iiclea Of merchandise which bear upon
their face statement that they have