Evening star., 1926-12-07

ships, but freight. He is opposed to
the construction at this time of more
ships by the Government. He chides
American merchants because they are
too Indifferent about using American
ships for transportation of goods. He
concludes his discussion of the mer-
chant marine problem with a renewed
recommendation that the operation of
the Government-owned fleet be put
under a single head, leaving the Ship
ping Board free to deal with general
matters of policy and regulation.
Commends Gen. Wood.
The President devotes no little at
tention to the Philippine Islands and
their problems. He commends the ad-
ministration of Maj. Gen. Leonard
Wood, governor general for the last
five years, and declares his sympathy
with the struggle upward of the peo-
pie.
"The economic development of the
islands is very important" the Presi-
dent continues. "They ought not to
be turned back to the people until
they are both politically fitted for self
government and economically 1nde-
pendent"
The establishment of rubber plan
tations in the islands. both as an aid
to the natives and as a contribution
to the national defense of the United
States, is suggested.
mo one contemplates any time in
the future, either under the present
or more Independent form of govern
ment (of the islands), when we should
not assume some responsibility for
their Defense" the President says. He
expects to make a more extended re-
port on the islands to Congress later,
| in ECh IF
order by Col. Carmi A. Thompson and
recently completed.
Farm Aid Proposals.
While he lays great stress upon
solving correctly the surplus crop
problem, the President makes a num-
ber of proposals for the betterment of
agriculture along other lines, includ-
ing a revision of freight rates on farm
products by the Interstate Commerce
Commission; development of the in
land waterways to help lower freight
rates; revision Of live stock grazing
regulations; the development of the
co-operatives; development of Muscle
Shoaols power in order to provide
cheaper fertilizers.
Steps taken by the Federal Govern
ment to aid the cotton farmers of the
South and the storm-swept areas of
FlOflda are described by the PRESIDENT,
who points out that he appointed a
committee to help the cotton-growing
interests to arrange for financing the
storage and carrying Of 1000, 900 bales
of cotton. He declares, however, that
there must be a reduction of about
one-third of the acreage planted in cot
ton next year, if the situation is to be
met adequately.
Other recommendations by the Presi-
dent include: Development generally
Of the rivers and harbors and par
ticularly Of the Mississippi and Colo
RADIO Rivers and of a Great Lakes-to-
the-sea canal; consolidation of rail-
roads; radio control under the Depart
ment Of Commerce; care of disabled
veterans of the war; return of alien
property to it's owners; anti-lynching
legislation; better salaries for Federal
judges, and no extension of the pen
sion system.
The President plants himself square
ly on record for continuance Of the
protective tariff. He is even more
emphatic in his demand for a con-
tinuance of economy in governmental
expenditures.
Nothing is easier" he says in this
connection, than the expenditure Of
public money. 1t does not appear to
belong to anybody. The temptation
is overwhelming to bestow it on some
body. But the results of extravaganza
are ruinous."