The citizen., 1913-12-05

cCrueu our own cltlZenS IN OUT own
territory and our obligations toward
the people of Hawaii by perfecting the
provisions OF self-governLhent already
granted them. but in the Philippines
we must go further. We must hold
steadily in view their ultimate inde-
pendence. and we must move toward
the time OF that independence as
steadily as the way can be cleared
and the foundations thoughtfully and
permanently laid
Acting under the authority con.
ferred upon the president by congress.
| have already accorded the people OF
the islands majority in both houses
of their legislative body by appointing
FIVE instead of four native citizens to
the membership of the commission ]
believe that in this way we shall
make proof Of their capacity in coun.
sci and their sense Of the responsible
ity in the exercise Of political power.
and that the success of this step will
be sure to clear our view for the steps
which are to follow. Step by step
we should extend and perfect the sys'
tenn of self-goyernmeut in the islands,
making test of them and modifying
them as experience discloses their
successes and their failures; that we
should more and more put under che
control of the native citizens of the
archipelago the essential instruments
of their life. their local instrumental
ties of government, their schools, all
the common interests of their commu'
mites. and so by counsel and expert
ence set up a government which all
the world will see to be suitable to
people whose affairs are under their
own control.
Territorial Rights for Alaska.
A duty faces US with regard to Alas,
ka which seems to me very pressing
and very Imperative; perhaps | should
say double duty, for it concerns both
the political and the material develop
ment of the territory. The people OF
Alaska should be given the full terri
torial form of government, and Alas
ka, as 4 storehouse, should be un-
locked. One key to it is a system of
railways. These the government
should itself build and administer, and
the ports and terminals it should itself
control in the interest of all who wish
to use them for the service and de-
velopment of the country and its peo-
pie.
But the construction of railways is
only the first step; is only thrusting
in the key to the storehouse and
throwing back the lock and opening
the door. How the tempting resources
of the country are to be exploited is
another matter, to which l shall take
the liberty of from time to time call
ing your attention, for it is a policy
which must be worked out by we'll
considered states, not upon theory,
but upon lines of practical expediency.
1t is part of our general problem OF
conservation. We have a freer hand
in working out the problem in Alaska
than in the states Of the Union, and
yet the principle and object are the
same, wherever we touch it. We must
use the resources of the country, not
lock them up. There need be no con-
flict or jealousy as between state and
federal authorities, for there can be
no essential difference of purpose be-
tween them. The resources in ques-
tion must be used, but not destroyed
or wasted; used, but not monopoliZed
upon any narrow idea of individual
rights as against the abiding interests
of communities. That a policy can be
worked out by conference and conces-
sion which will release these resources
and yet not leopard or dissipate
them, | for one have no doubt; and it
can be done on lines of regulation
which need be no less acceptable to
the people and governments Of the
states concerned than to the people
and government of the nation at large,
whose heritage these resources are.
We must bend our counsels to this
end. A common purpose ought to
make agreement easy.
Three or four matters of special i'm
portance and significance l beg that
you will permit ,ae to mention in clos
ing.
Our bureau of mines ought to be
equipped and empowered to render
even more effectual service than 1t
renders now in improving the condi-
tions of mine labor and making the
mines more economically productive
a io n al
important part of the work of con-
servation; and the conservation of
human life and energy lies even near
er to our interest than the preserva-
tion from waste of our material re-
sources.
Employers Liability.
We owe it, in mere justice to the
railway employees of the country. to
provide for them a fair and effective
employers liability act; and law
that we can stand by in this matter
will be no less to the advantage OF
those who administer the railroads Of
the country than to the advantage of
those whom they employ
We ought to devote ourselves to
meeting pressing demands of plain
justice like this as earnestly as to
the accomplishment of political and
economic reforms Social justice
comes first. Law is the machinery for
its realization and is vital only as it
expresses and embodies it.
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