The Elk Mountain pilot., 1913-12-04

iS6ioioeAoA' aAu SuOulO also Bupplt'
ment that great act by Legislation
which will not only clarity 1t but also
facilitate its administration and make
1t fairer to all concerned. No doubt
we shall all wish. and the country will
expect. this to be the central subject
of our deliberations during the pres
ent session: but 1t Is a subject so
many-sided and so deserving of care
ful and discriminating discussion that
I shall take the liberty of addressing
you upon 1t in a special message at 2
later date than this. 1t Is of capital
importance that tho business men Of
this country should be relieved of all
uncertainties of law with regard to
their enterprises and investments and
a clear path indicated which they can
travel without anxiety. 1t ia as i'm
portant that they should be relieved
OF embarrassment and set free to
prosper as that private monopoly
should be destroyed. The ways Of
action should be thrown wide open.
l turn to subject which l hope
can be handled promptly and with
out serious controversy of any kind.
I mean the method of selecting nomi-
nees for the presidency Of the United
States. feel confident that 1
do not misinterpret the wishes
or the expectations of the
country when l urge the prompt
enactment of legislation which will
provide for primary elections through
out the country at which the voters of
the several parties may. choose their
nominees for the presidency without
the Intervention Of nominating con-
ventions.
independence for Philippines.
These are all matters of vital do
nestle concern. and besides them. out
side the charmed circle of our own
national life in which our aifections
command US. as well as our con-
sciences. there stand out our obliga-
tions toward our territories over sea.
Here we are trustees. Porto Rico,
Hawaii, the Philippines. are ours. once
regarded as mere possessions, are no
longer to be selfishly exploited: they
are part OF the domain Of public con-
science and OF serviceable and enlight-
ened statesmanship> We must admin
lister them for the people who live in
them and with the same sense of re-
sponsibility to them as toward our
own people in our domestic affairs. No
doubt we shall successfully enough
bind Porto Rico and the Hawaiian is
lands to ourselves by ties of justice
and affection, but the performance of
our duty toward the Philippines is a
more difficult and debatable matter.
We can satisfy the obligations of gen.
erous justice toward the people of
Porto Rico by giving them the ample
and familiar rights and privileges ac-
corded our own citizens in our own
territory and our obligations toward
the people Of Hawaii by perfecting the
provisions of self-government already
granted them. but In the Philippines
we must go further. We must holA
steadily In view their ultimate inde-
pendence, and we must move toward
the time Of that independence a.
as the way can be cleared and
the foundations thoughtfully and per-
laid.
Double Duty Toward 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 1t 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 a storehouse. should be un-
locked. One key to 1t 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-
of the country and its peo-
Pile.
Specially Important.
Three or four matters of special inn
portance and Significance 1 beg that
you will permit me to mention in clos
ing.
Our bureau of mines ought to be
equipped and empowered to render
even more effectual service than it
renders now in improving the condi-
tions of mine labor and making the
mines more economically productive
as well as more safe. This is an all
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.
We owe 1t, in mere justice to the
employees of the country, to
provide for them 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. The expert
ence of large number of the states