The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1914-12-18

l
when we need ships. we have net go
them.
| have come TO ask you to remed,
and correct these mistakes and oinis
sions. The time and the circumstances
are extraordinary, and so must our eff
forts be also
Use and Conservation.
Fortunately, two great measures
finely conceived. the one TO unlock
with proper safeguards. the resources
of the national domain, the other tc
encourage the use of the navigabie
water outside that domain for the
generation of power, have already
rassed the house of representatives
and are ready for immediate consider
alton and action by the senate. With
the deepest earnestness l urge their
| prompt passage.
And there is another great piece of
| legislation which awaits and should
receive the sanction of the senate:
l mean the bill which gives larger
measure of self-government to the peo-
pie of the Philippines. cannot believe
that the senate will let this great
measure of constructive justice await
the action of another congress. Its
passage would nobly crown the record
of these two years of memorable la
Dor.
An important Duty.
But l thin that you will agree
mo docs pnt pOmpIpfA
the toll of our duty. How are we to
carry our goods to the empty markets
of which l have spoken If we have
not the certain and constant means
of transportation upon which all profit
able and useful commerce depends?
And how are we to get the ships if
we wait for the trade to develop with
out them?
The routes of trade must be actually
opened-by many ships and regular
sailings and moderate charges-before
streams of merchandise will flow free
ly and profitably through them.
Must Open Gates of Trade.
Hence the pending shipping bill,
discussed at the last session. but as
yet passed - neither house. In may
judgment such legislation is impera-
lively needed and can not wisely be
postponed The government must
open these gates of trade, and open
them wide; open them before it IS
altogether profitable to open them. or
altogether reasonable to ask private
capital to open them at a venture.
II is not a question of the government
monopolizing the field. 1t should take
action to make it certain that trans
portation at reasonable rates will be |
promptly provided. even where the |
carriage is not at first profitable; and |
then, when the carriage has become |
sufficiently profitable to attract and
engage private capital and engage it
in abundance. the government ought
TO withdraw l very earnestly hope
that the congress will be of this opin-
ion, and that both houses will adopt
this exceedingly important bill.
The great subject Of rural credits
still remains to be dealt with. and
it is a matter of deep regret that the
difficulties Of the subject have seemed
TO render it impossible to complete
4 bill for passage at this session. But
t can not be perfected yet. and there
'ore there are no other constructive
measures the necessity for which |
will at this time call your attention
o: but would be negligent of a
rery manifest duty were not to call
he attention of the senate to the fact
hat the proposed convention for safe
V at sea awaits it's confirmation and
hat the limit fixed in the convention
Itself for it's acceptance is the last
lay of the present month.
charting of Our Coasts.
There is another matter of which
must make special mention. il / am
0 discharge my conscience. lest it
hould escape your attention. 1t may
eem a very small thing. 1t affects
My a single item of appropriation.
Tut many human lives and many
reat enterprises hang upon it.
1t is the matter of making adequate
revision for the survey and charting
f our coasts.
1t is Immediately pressing and ext
ent in connection with the immense
cast line of Alaska. This is matter
,hich, as | have said seems small,
ut is in reality very great. Its i'm
ortance has only to be looked into
D be appreciated
Economy Is Urged.
Before l close, may say a few
lords upon two topics, much dis
used out of doors. upon which 1t is
ighly important that our judgments
nould be clear. definite and steadfast.
me of these is economy in govern
tent expenditures. The duty o, econ
my is not debatable. 1t is manifest
nd important. In the appropriations
e pass we are spending the money ;
{ the great people whose servants /
e are-not our own. We are trus-
,es and responsible stewards in the ]
1encing. The only thing debatable {
nd upon which we should be careful
make cur thought and purpose )
ear is the kind of economy demand
! of US. I assert with the greatest 1
,nidence that the people of the {
nited States are not jealous Of the !
mount their government costs If
,ev are sure that they get what they