The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-12-06

Whlcn at one time seemed jmmInr II
because Of the threatened ralwa,
strike last summer, were not accom-
panied by the sliChtct financial un.
easiness. Happily the country ha.
been at peace and business and en-.
terprises have had the largest oppor
tunity for favorable development un.
der the most auspicious conditions.
'If we make intelligent use of our
great power and exceptional financial
resources, we can cope successfully
with any conditions the future may
develop"
One Of the features of the report is
a discussion of present methods of
constructing public buildings.
Il am convinced, says the Secre-
tary that the methods pursued by
the Congress for the past Is years
of providing federal buildings through
so-called omnibus-publis building bills
have resulted in the construction of
many public buildings in small towns
and localities where they are not
needed, and at cost which is clear
lyunjustified by any requirements of
the communities in which they are
erected. True conclusion is irresist-
ible that authorizations for public
buildings in these small communities
are too frequently dictated by local
reasons and without regard to the
best interests of the government The
most serious aspect in this: The an
nual operation and maintenance of
these buildings impose on the govern
ment constantly increasing burden
Common sense and business judg-
ment would seem that structures for
the transaction of government bus
mess should be authorized only in To-
calities where they are imperatively
needed, and that buildings should not
be erected where no public necessity
can be shown. This result can be ac-
eomplished by divorcing the public
building question from all local or po-
litical considerations and authorizing
no public buildings until a thorough
and intelligent investigation of each
proposed building or project has been
submitted to Congress. If such re-
ports we're followed by the introduc-
tion and passage Of separate meas
ures to cover each proposed building
project the abuses and evils Of the om-
nibus- bill method would be eradicat-
ed"
The Federal War Risk Insurance
bureau, Mr.. McAdoo, says. should be
extended a year to September 2, 1918,
since Congress might not be in ses-
sion next September and it would be
impossible then % continue the work
if the European War is still in prog
ress and serious injury to American
business might result. The report
says up to November II nearly 1,700
policies written by the Bureau with
total risk of more than S14,610,OOO
and losses amounting to S833,924.
Premiums received amounted to 49,
142,525.
In speaking Of customs revenues,
which increased about S3,4O0,000 over
the previous year, the Secretary says
the Europeon conflict is still interfer-
ing with such receipts.
Before the breaking out of the Eu-
ropean war" says the report, "the
amount of collections indicated clearly
that under normal conditions the pres
ent tariff will produce all the revenue
it was estimated it would produce at
the time it was drawn, and since the
war the receipts under the tariff bill
have been all that could be expected
under the present conditions"
Mr.. McAdoo points out that for the
wear value of imports was about
S4s4 100000 greater than the pre-
vious year and those of exports ST.
76S, 1885,, $40 greater.
Congress is asked to amend the an
ti-narcotic law in view Of the Supreme
Court Interpretation Of the clause re-
Iating to drugs in possession and to
provide funds to care for drugs ad-
diets through government treatment.
"To cut off suddenly the supply OF
drugs without curing the addict OF
his cravings or making and provision
for the amehoration of his suferings,"
saws the report, "is not only inhumane
but encourages evasions Of the law"
Appropriations are asked to enable
the Public Health Service to prose
cute investigation OF infantile para
lvsis and for the -viation section of
the Coast Guard, authorized but Civ
en- no funds by Congress.
The report concludes with resume
of operations Of the various bureau
in the Treasury Department
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Nervous Women.
When the nervousness is caused by