Norwich bulletin., 1912-12-07

lem in the management or the canal, congress in the act of Aug. 24 1912. has made admirable provisions for ex- eeutiye responsibility in the control of the canal and the government of the canal zone, The problem of most eth- cient organization is receiving careful consideration. so that scheme of or ganization and control best adapted to the conditions of the canal may be formulated and put in operation as ex- pedttiously as possible Acting under the authority conferred on me by con- gress have by executive proclamation promulgated the following schedule of tolls for ships passing through the ca nal, based upon the thorough report of Emory R, Johnson, special commission CT on traffic and tolls:
 First. - On merchant vessels carrying passengers or cargo, 21:20 per net vessel ten-eaeh 100 cubic feet-ef actual earning capacity
 Second.-On vessels in ballast without passengers or cargo. 70 per cent less than ! the rate of tolls for vessels with passen- gers or cargo
 Third.-Upon naval vessels other than transports, eeliefs, hospital ships and supply ships, 6o cents per displacement ton.
 ] Fourth.-upon army and navy trans ports. eollieFs, hospital ships and supply shlps Sl2o per net ton, the vessels to be ! measured by the same rules as are em- pleyed in determining the net tonnage of merchant vessels.
 1 Rules for the determination of the ] tonnage upon which toll charges are ! based are now in course of prepara- ton and will be promulgated in due l season.
 Panama Canal Treaty. 1 The proclamation which I have is- sued in respect to the Panama canal tolls is in accord with the Panama ea- nal act passed by this congress Aug. 1 24, 1912. We have been advised that the British government has prepared a protest against the act and it's en- forcement in so far as it relieves from ] the payment of tolls American ships 1 engaged in the American coastwise 1 trade on the ground that it violates ! British rights under the Hay-Paunce- 1 fote treaty concerning the Panama ca nal When the protest is presented it will be promptly considered and an eff, i fort made to reach satisfactory ad- ! justment of any differences there may be between the two governments Promotion For Colonel eeethals.
 As the completion of the canal grows nearer and as the wonderful executive 1 work of Colonel G0ethals becomes more conspicuous in the eyes of the country and of the world it seems to me wise and proper to make proyi- 1 sion by law for such reward to him as may be commensurate with the serv- 1 ice that he has rendered to his eoun- I try. I suggest that this reward take ! the form of an appointment of Colo nel Geethals as major general tA the army of the United States and that the : law authorizing such appointment be accompanied with a provision per hitting his designation as chief of CD, gineers upon the retirement of the present incumbent of that office.
 Navy Department. | The navy of the United States is in | a greater state of efficiency and is more powerful than it has ever been before, but in the emulation which ex- ists between different countries in re- speet te the increase of naval and mill itary ornaments this condition is not a permanent one. In view Of the maRy improvements and increases by for eiga governments the slightest halt on
 our part in respect to new construe-
 ton throws us back and reduces US from . naval pewef of the first rank and places us among the nations of the second rank. In the past fifteen years the navy has expanded rapidly and yet far less rapidly than cur country,
 From now on reduced expenditures
 in the navy mean reduced military strength. The worlds history has
 shown the importance of sea power
 both for adequate defense and for the
 support of important aud definite poll, 1 cies.
 I had the pleasure of attending this
 autumn a mobilization of the Atlantic
 feet and was glad to observe and nete
 the preparedness of the fleet for in-
 stant action. The review brought be-
 fore the president and the secretary of
 the navy a greater and more powerful
 collection of vessels than had ever
 been gathered in American waters.
 The condition of the fleet and of the
 officers and enlisted men and of the
 equipment of the vessels entitled those
 in authority to the greatest credit
 again commend to congress the giv- ing of legislative sanction to the an- pointment of the naval aids to the sec retary of the e'navy. These aids and the council of aids appointed by the seere' tary of the navy to assist him h the conduct of his department have proved to be of the highest utility. They have furnished an executive eemmittee of
 the nest skilled naval experts, whe have ce-evdinated the action of the vari, ous bureaus in the navy and by their advice have enabled the secretary to
 give an administration at the same time economical and most efficient. Never before has the United Btates
 had navy that compared in efficiency
 with its present one, but never before
 have the requirements with respect to naval warfare been higher and mere eKacting than now, A year ago con- gress refused to' appropriate for more
 than one hattieship, In this l think 8
 great mistake of policy was made, and
 urgently recommend that this con- gress make up for the mistake of the last session by appropriations authoriz- ing the construction of three battle ships, in addition to destreyeFs, fuel