: . - - i , ; t _ _ _ c' _ - , . " , . . . . , . . . y . , . , ' ' . , . , , . ' , . . . w . . w. . r _ " # , t " . , . , " : " ' H" , " " . ' 0 , ' . _ . , , _ . . f : . : . - ' 4 , . - . s . w . , . . . T 'k - . " . - _ I ? . . - - r } + * l. , i&HjHjK p " + + * $ ' $ t + + " ' - - t + { a ! } r ( } + + - $ + .t + & . "IT -r ? ir-rr /T'A / I'OF&ilT * r 4 t 1 / j . 4 > A J ' j S M R fe , S . . . 41 , . , . r , . i d SBisi i ft FIT % . % ' . t fji fr , . ; ' ' " ' : r' 1 " I - uJ . . . , , . . . - , ' ' . i " \ O ; ( . ' . . | " J . ' . ' . - , . i " - ; ; . . ; " " , I " J , . ' 'J U N' . , . . . + _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . . . . . . . . . _ . _ _ _ . _ _ . . . . . . . ' . . . . " . . . . . _ . . . . . . _ . . . . . _ _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ + . - , ; + + Y + > To the Senate and the House of Rep resentatives : The relations of the United States with all foreign governments have con- tinued upon the normal basis of amity ind good understanding , and are very penerally satisfactory. Pursuant to the provisions of the peneral treaty of arbitration concluded between the United States and Great Britain , April 4 , 1908 , a special agree- ment was entered into between the two . countries on January 27 , 1909 , for the . . jubmlssion of questions relating to the Qsheries on the North Atlantic coast to a tribunal to be formed from mem- bers of the permanent court of arbitra , , tion at The Hague. In accordance- with ' _ the provisions of tho special agreement the printed case of each government ' was , on October 4 last , submitted to the at other and to the arbitral tribunal The Hague , and the counter case of the United States is now in course of preparation. . " The American rights under the fish eries article of the treaty of 1818 have been n cause of difference between the r United States and Great Britain for nearly seventy years. The Interests Involved are of great importance to the American fishing industry , and the flnal settlement of the controversy will settement a source of constant irritation and complaint This is the first case t involving such great international ' - submitted to questions which has beerfsubmitted - 'the permanent court of arbitration at The Hague. The treaty between the United States a und Great Britain concerning the Canadian international boundary , con- , eluded April 11 , 1908 , authorizes the appointment of two commissioners to define and mark accurately the Inter- national boundary' line between the United States and the Dominion of Canada in the waters of the Passama- quoddy bay , and provides for the ex- change of , briefs within the period of 11x months. The briefs were duly pre- sented within the prescribed period , but as the commissioners failed to agree within six months after the ex- change of the printed statements , as required by the treaty , it has now be- I come necessary to resort to the arbi- tration provided for in the article The international fisheries commis- sion appointed pursuant to and under the authority of the convention of April 11 , 1908 , between the United States and Great Britain , has complet- ed a system of 'uniform and common international regulations for the pro- tection and preservation of the food fishes In international boundary waters . . 4 of the United States and Canada. _ The regulations will be duly submit- ted to Congress with a view to the en- actment of such legislation as will be necessary under the convention to put them into operation. The convention providing for the settlement of international differences between the United States and Cana- da , including the apportionment be- tween the two countries of certain of . the boundary waters and the appoint- I S ment of commissioners to adjust cer- tain other questions , signed on the llth day of January , 1909 , and to the ratifi cation o which the Senate gave its ad- vice and consent on March 3 , 1909 , has not yet been ratified on the part of Great Britain. Commissioners have been appointed on the part of the United States to act \ Jointly with commissioners on the part of Canada in examining into the ques- \ tion of obstructions in the St. John River between Maine and New Bruns- . wick , and to make recommendations / for the regulation of the uses thereof , and are now engaged In this work. Negotiations for an International _ conference to consider and reach an arrangement providing for the preser- vation and protection of the fur seals In the North Pacific are in progress with the governments of Great Britain , Japan and Russia. The attitude of the governments interested leads me to hope for a satisfactory settlement of this question as the ultimate outcome of the negotiations. His Majesty Mehmed V. , Sultan of Turkey , recently sent to this country a special embassy to announce his ac cession. The quick transition of the government of the Ottoman empire from one of retrograde tendencies to a constitutional government with a Par . , liament and with progressive modern policies of reform and public improve- ments is one of the important phe- nomena of our times. Constitutional government seems also to have made further advance in Persia. These events have turned the eyes of the " . world upon the Near East. In that quarter the prestige of the United States has spread widely : through the peaceful influence of American schools , universities and missionaries. There . . Is every reason why we should obtain . a greater share of the commerce of the Near East since the conditions are more favorable now than ever before. Our Latin American Xt'hhhurs. \ To-day , more than ever before , American capital Is seeking investment . In foreign countries , and American products are more and more generally seeking foreign markets. As a conse quence , in all countries there are Amer ican citizens and American interests ' to be protected , on occasion , by their government These movements of men , of capital , and of commodities bring peoples and governments closer together and so form bonds of peace and mutual dependency , as they must also naturally sometimes make passing points of friction. The Pan-American policy of this government has long been fixed in its principles and remains . unchanged. With the changed circum- stances of the United States : and of the - republics to the south of us most of which have great natural resources , stable government and progressive ideals , the apprehension which gave rise to the Monroe doctrine may be said to. have nearly disappeared , and . neither the doctrine as It exists nor any other doctrine of American policy should be permitted to operate for the perpetuation of irresponsible govern- ment , the escape of just obligations , or : _ the insidious allegation of dominating- ; ambitions on the part of the United States. Sttes. I ' My meeting with President Diaz and , the greeting exchanged on both Ameri , can and Mexican soil served , I hope , F to signalize the close and cordial rela- tions which so well bind together this , republic and the great republic imme- . diately to the south , between which ; there Is so vast a network of material interests. " I am happy to say that all but one of the cases which for so long vexed our relations with Venezuela have been settled within the past few months and i that under the enlightened regime now directing the government of Venezuela provisIon T has been made for arbitra . I + + + tion of the remaining case before The Hague tribunal. On July 30 , 1909 , the government of Panama agreed , after considerable negotiation , to indemnify the relatives of the American officers and sailors who were brutally treated , one of them having , Indeed , been killed ' by the Panaman police this year. The sanitary improvements and pub- lic works undertaken in Cuba prior to the present administration of that gov- ernment , In the success of which the United States Is interested under the treaty , are reported to be making good progress and since the Congress pro- vided for the continuance of the recip- rocal commercial arrangement between Cuba and the United States assurance has been received that no negotiations : Injuriously affecting the situation will be undertaken without consultation. The collection of the customs of the Dominican Republic through the gen- eral receiver of customs appointed by the President of the United States In accordance with the convention of February 8 , 1907 , has proceeded in an uneventful and satisfactory manner. Many years ago diplomatic interven- tion became necessary to the protec- tion of the Interest in the American claim of Alsop and company against the government of Chile. The govern ment of Chile had frequently admitted obligation in the case and had prom- ised this government to settle it There had been two abortive attempts to do so through arbitral commissions , which failed through lack of jurisdiction. Now , happily , as the result of the re- cent diplomatic negotiations , the gov ernments of the United States and of Chile , actuated by the sincere desire to free from any strain those cordial and friendly relations upon which both set such store , have agreed by a pro- tocol to submit the controversy to -lefinitlve settlement by His Britannic Majesty , Edward VII. , The Xiearagruan Difficulty. Since the Washington conventions of 1907 were communicated to the gov- ernment of the United States as a con- sulting and advising party , this gov- ernment has been almost continuous ly called upon by one or another , and in turn by all of the five Central Amer- ican republics , to exert itself for the maintenance of the conventions. Near ly every complaint has been against the Zelaya government of Nicaragua , which has kept Central America in constant tension or turmoil. The re- I sponses made to the representations of Central American republics , as due from the United States on account of its relation to the Washington conven- tions , have been at all times conserva- tive and have avoided , so far as pos- sible , any semblance of interference , although It is very apparent that the considerations of geographic proximity to the Canal zone and of the very sub- stantial American interests in Central America give to the United States a special position In the zone of these republics and the Caribbean Sea. I need not rehearse here , the patient efforts of this government to promote peace and welfare among these repub- lics , efforts which are fully appreciated by the majority of them who are loyal to their true Interests. I would be no less unnecessary to rehearse here the sad tale of unspeakable barbarities and oppression alleged to have been com- mitted by the Zelaya government. Re- cently two Americans were put to death by order of President Zelaya himself. They were officers in the or- ganized forces of a revolution which had continued many weeks and was in control of about half of the republic , and as such , according to the modern enlightened practice of civilized na tions , they were entitled to be dealt with as prisoners of war. At the date when this message is printed this government has terminat- ed diplomatic relations with the Zelaya government , for reasons made public the former in a communication to te Nicaraguan charge d'affaires , ajid is intending to take such future steps as may be found most consistent with its dignity , its duty to American interests and its moral obligations to Central America and to civilization. I may ' this sub- be necessary for me to bring - ject to the attention of the Congress in a special message. The International Bureau of AmerI- can Republics . has carried on an im portant and increasing work during the last year. In the exercise of its peculiar functions as an international agency , maintained by all the Ameri- can republics for the development of Pan-American commerce and friend- ship , it has accomplished a great prac- tical good which could be done in the same way by no individual department or bureau of one government , and is therefore deserving of your liberal support. The fact' that it is about to enter a new building , erected through the munificence of an American phi- lanthropist and the contributions of all the American nations , where both its efficiency of administration and ex pense of maintenance will naturally be much augmented , further entitles it to special consideration. Relations in the Far Bast. In the Far East this government preserved unchanged its policy of sup- porting the principle of equality of op- portunity and scrupulous respect for the integrity of the Chinese Empire , to which policy are pledged the interested powers of both east and west Our traditional relations with the Japanese empire continue cordial as usual. As the representative of Japan , his Imperial highness Prince KunI vis- ited the Hudson-Fulton celebration. The recent visit of a delegation of prominent business men as guests of the chambers of commerce of the Pa- cific slope , whose representatives had been so agreeably received in Japan , will doubtless contribute to the grow- ing trade across the Pacific , as well as to that mutual understanding which leads to mutual appreciation. Expenditures and Revennes. Perhaps the most important question presented to the administration Is that of economy in expenditures and sufficiency of revenue. The deficit of the last fiscal year , and the certain deficit of the cur- rent year , prompted Congress to throw a greater responsibility on the executive and the secretary of the treasury : than had heretofore been declared by statute. This declaration Imposes upon the sec- retary of the treasury the duty of as- sembling all the estimates of the execu1 1 tive departments .bureaus , and offices , of the expenditures necessary in the ensuing fiscal year , and of making an estimate of the revenues of the government for the same period ; and if a probable deficit is thus shown , it is made the duty of the t President to recommend the method by which such deficit can be met 'I The report o the secretary shows that I the ordinary expenditures for the current fiscal year ending -June 30 , 1910 , will ex- ceed the estimated receipts by $34,075,620. ; I to this deficit is added the sum to be , H $ - disbursed for the Panama canal , amount- ing to $38,000,000 , and $1,000,000 to be paid on the public debt , the deficit of or- dinary receipts and expenditures will be Increased to a total deficit of $73,075- 620. This deficit the secretary proposes to meet by the proceeds of bonds issued to pay the cost of constructing the Pan- ama canal. I approve this proposal. The policy of paying for the construc- tion of the Panama canal , not out of cur- rent revenue , but by bond issues , was adopted In the Spooner act of 1902. and there seems to be no good reason for departing from the principle by which a part at least of the burden of the cost of the canal , shall fall upon our posterity who are to ' enjoy i ; and there is all the more reason for this view because the actual cost to date o the canal , which Is now half done and which jwlll . be com- pleted Jan. 1 , 1915 , shows that the cost of engineering and construction will be $297,766,000 instead of $139,705.200. as originally estimated. In addition to engI- neering and construction , the other ex penses Including sanitation and govern- ment , and the amount paid for the prop- erties , the franchise , and the privilege of building the canal , Increase the cost by $75,435.000 , to a total of 375201000. The Increase in the -cost of engineering and construction Is due to a substantial enlargement of the plan of construction by widening the canal 100 feet in the Culebra cut and by increasing the dImen- sions of the locks , to the underestimate of the quantity of the work ' to be done under the original plan. and to an under- estimate of the cost of labor and mate- rials , both of which have greatly en- hanced In price since the original estimate was made. In order to avoid a deficit for the en- suing fiscal year I directed the heads of departments in the preparation of their estimates to make them as low as possible consistent with imperative governmental necessity. The result has been as I am advised by the secretary of the treasury that the estimates for the expenses of the government for the next fiscal year ending June 30 , 1911 , are less than the appropriations for this current fiscal year by 42818000. So far as the secretary of the treasury is able to form a judg ment as to future income and compare 't ' with the expenditures for the next fiscal year ending June 30 , 1911 , and exclud- ing payments on account of the Panama canal which will doubtless be taken up by bonds , there will be a surplus of $35.- 931,000. In the present estimates the needs of the departments and of the government have been cut to the quick , so to speak , and any assumption on the part of Con- gress , so often made in times past , that the estimates have been prepared with the expectation that they may be reduced , will result in seriously hampering proper administration. The secretary of the treasury points out what should be carefully noted In respect II to this reduction in governmental ex- I penses for the next fiscal year , that the economies are two kinds - first , there is a saving in the permanent administration of the departments , bureaus , and offices of the government ; and , second , there is a present reduction in expenses by a post- ponement of projects and improvements that ultimately will have to be carried out , but which are now delayed with the hope that additional revenue in the future will permit their execution without pro- ducing , a deficit. I am aware that there Is a strong feel- ing in both houses of Congress , and pos- sibly In tho country : , against the estab- lishment o civil pensions , and that this ! has naturally grown out of the heavy burden of military pensions , which it has always been the policy of our government to assume ; but I am strongly convinced that no other practical solution of the difficulties presented by the superannua- tion of civil servants can be found than that of a system of civil pensions. The business and expenditures of the government have expanded enormously since the Spanish war , but as the rev- enues have increased in nearly the same proportion as the expenditures until re- cently , the attention of the public , and of those responsible for the government has not been fastened upon the question of reducing the cost of administration. We cannot , in view of the advancing prices of living , hope to save money by a re- duction In the standard of salaries paid. Indeed , if any change is made /in / that regard , an increase rather tha a de crease will be necessary ; and the only means of economy will be In reducing the number of employes and In obtaining a greater average of efficiency from those retained in the service. Frauds in jLUe Customs Service. n.c I regret to refer to the fact of the dis covery of extensive frauds in the collec tion of the customs revenue at New York City , in which a number of the subordi- nate employes In. the weighing and other departments were directly : concerned , and In which the beneficiaries were the Amer- ican Sugar Refining Company and others. The frauds consisted In the payment of duty o'n underweights of sugar. The gov- ernment has recovered from the American Sugar Refining Company all that i is shown to have been defrauded of. The sum was received In full of the amount due , which might have been recovered by civil suit against the beneficiary of fraud , but there was an express reservation In the contract of settlement by which the settlement should not Interfere with or prevent the criminal prosecution of every- one who was found to be subject to the same. Criminal prosecutions now-proceed prosecutons are now"Iroceed- ing against a number of the government officers , I would seem to me that an investigation of the frauds by Congress at present , pending the probing by the treasury department and the department of justice , as proposed , might by giving Immunity and otherwise prove an em- barrassment In securing conviction of the guilty parties. The New Tariff Latr. Two features of the new tariff act call for special reference. By virtue of the clause known as the "Maximum and Min imum" clause , it is the duty of the exec- utive to consider the laws and practices of other countries with reference to the Im- portation into those countries of the prod- ucts and merchandise of the United States , and I the excutlve finds such laws and practices not to be practces unduly discrim- inatory against the United States , the minimum duties provided in the bill are to go into Iorce . Unless the President makes such a finding , then the maximum duties provided In the bill , that Is . an In- crease of 25 per cent ad valorem over the minimum duties , are to be in force. Fear ha been expressed that this power con- ferred and duly imposed on the executive Is likely to lead to a tariff war. I beg to express the hope and belief that no such result need be anticipated. The discretion granted to the Executive by the terms "unduly discriminatory" is wide. In order that the maximum duty shall be charged against the imports from a country , it Is necessary that he shall find on the part of that country not only discriminations in its laws or the practice practce under them against the trade of the Unit ed States , but that the discriminations found shall be undue ; that is , without good and fair reason. I conceive that this power was reposed In the President with the hope that the maximum duties might never be applied in any case , but that the power to apply them would enable the President and the state department through friendly negotiation to secure the elimination from the laws and the prac- tice under them of any foreign country of that which Is unduly discriminatory. No one is seeking a tariff war or a con- dition in which the spirit of retaliation shall be aroused. The new tariff law enables me to ap point a tariff board to assist me In con- nection with the department of state In the administration of the minimum and maximum clause of the act and also to assist officers of the government In the te administration , - a the entire law. An * x- . . _ M # M ! - amination of the law and an understand- ing of the nature of the facts which should be considered in discharging the functions imposed upon the executive show that I have the power to direct the tariff board to make a comprehensive glossary and encyclopedia of the terms used and articles embraced in the tariff law , and to secure information as to the cost of production of such goods In this country and the cost of their production in foreign countries. I have therefore appointed a tariff board consisting of three members and have directed them to perform all the duties above described. War and Xuvy Departments. In the Interest of immediate economy and because of the prospect of a deficit , I have required a reduction In the estimates of the war department for the coming fis cal year , which brings the total esti mates down to an amount $45.000,000 less than the corresponding estimates for last year. The secretary of war calls atten tion to a number of needed changes in the army , in all of which I concur. The coast defenses of the United States proper are generally all that could be desired , and in some respects they are rather more elaborate than u/ider present conditions are needed to stop an enemy's fleet from entering the haroors . de nded . The mili tary and naval joint board have unanI- mously agreed that It would be unwise to make the largeJexpendiures which at one time were contemplated in the estab- lishment of a naval base and station in the Philippine Islands , and have expressed their judgment , in which I fully concur , In favor of making an extensive naval base at Pearl harbor , near Honolulu , and not in the Philippines. This does not dispense with the neces- sity for the comparatively small appro- priations required to finish the proper . coast defenses in the Philippines now un- der construction on the island of Correg- idor and elsewhere or to complete a suit able repair station and coaling supply sta- tion at Olongapo where Is the floating dock "Dewey. " I hope that this recom- mendation of the joint board will end the discussion as to the comparative merits of Manila bay and Olongapo as naval sta- tions , and will lead to prompt measures for the proper equipment and defense of Pearl harbor. The return of the battleship fleet from its voyage around the world In more effi cient condition than when I started , was a noteworthy event of Interest alike to our citizens and the naval authorities of the world. Besides the beneficial and far- reaching effect on our personal and diplo- matic relations in the countries which the fleet visited , the marked success of the ships in steaming around the world in all weathers on schedule time has Increased tme respect for our navy and has added to our national prestige. Our enlisted per sonnel recruited from all sections of the country Is young and energetic and rep- resentative of the national spirit. Owing to the necessity for economy in expendi- tures , I have directed the curtailment of recommendations for naval appropriations FO that they are thirty-eight millions less than the corresponding estimates of last year , and the request for new naval con- struction is limited to two first-class bat- tle ships and one repair vessel. The use of a navy is for military pur- poses , and there has been found need in the department of a military branch deal- ing directly with the military use of the fleet. The secretary o the navy has also felt the lack of responsible advisors to aid him In reaching conclusions and deciding important matters between co-ordinate branches of the department. To secure these results lie has inaugurated a tenta- tive plan Involving certain changes in the organization of the navy department , In- cluding the navy yards , all O which have been found by the attorney general to be In accordance with law. 1 have approved the execution of the plan proposed because of the greater efficiency and economy it promises. The Department of Justice. The deplorable delays in the adminis- tration of civil and criminal law have received the attention of committees of the American Bar Association and of many state bar Associations , as well as the considered thought of judges and jurists. In my judgment , a change in judicial procedure , with a view to re- ducing its expense to private litigants In civil cases and facilitating the dispatch of business and final decision in both civil and criminal cases , constitutes the great- est need in our American institutions. I do not doubt for one moment that much of the lawless violence and cruelty ex hibited in lynchings is directly due to the uncertainties and injustice growing out of the delays in trials , judgments , and the executions thereof by our courts. Of course these remarks apply quite as well to the administration of justice In state courts as to that in federal counts , and without making invidious distinction it Is perhaps not too much to say that , speak ing generally , the defects are less in the federal courts than in the state courts. court. But they are very great in the federal courts. The expedition with which busI- ness Is disposed of both on the civil and the criminal side of English courts under modern rules of procedure makes the de lays in our courts seem archaic and bar- barous. The procedure in the federal courts should furnish an example for the state courts. \ I presume I is Impossible , without an amendment to the constitution , to unite under one form of action the proceedings at common law and proceedings in equity In the federal courts , but It is certainly not impossible by a statute to simplify and make short and direct the procedure both at law and in equity In those courts. I is not Impossible to cut down still more than it is cut down , the" jurisdiction of the supreme court so as to confine i almost wholly to statutory and constitu tional questions. Under the present stat- utes the equity and admiralty procedure In the federal courts Is under the control of the supreme court , but in the pressure of business to which that court is sub- jected It is impossible to hope that a radical and proper reform of the federal equity procedure can be brought about. I therefore recommend legislation pro- viding for the appointment by the PresI- dent of a commission with authority to examine the law and equity procedure of the federal courts o first instance , he- law of appeals from those courts to the courts of appeals and to the supreme/ court , and the costs imposed in such pro- cedure upon the private litigants and upon the public treasury and make recommen- dation with a view to simplifying and expediting the procedure as far as possible and making i as inexpensive as may be to the litigant of little means. "Snap" Injunctions. The platform of the successful party In the last election contained the following : "Tho Republican party will uphold at all times the authority and integrity of the courts , state and federal , and will ever insist that their powers to enforce their process and to protect life , liberty , and property shall be preserved inviolate. We believe , however , that the rules of procedare in the federal courts with re- spect to the issuance of the writ of In- junction should be more accurately de fined by statute , and that no Injunction or temporary restraining order should be issued without notice. , except where irre- parable injury would result from delay , In which case a speedy hearing thereafter should be granted. " I recommend that In compliance with the promise thus made , appropriate legIs- lation be adopted. The ends of justice will best be met and the chief cause of complaint against ill-considered Injunc- tions without notice will be removed by the enactmant of a statute forbidding hereaftor the issuing of any Injunction or restraining erder , whether temporary or permanent , by any federal court , without previous notice and reasonable * notce a oppor- tunlty to be heard on behalf of the par- ties to be enjoined ; unless It shall appear to the satisfaction of the court that the delay necessary to give such notice and hearing , would result In irreparable Injury t the complainant. + \ < * ! - Unless also the court shall from the evidence make a written finding , which shall be spread upon the court minutes , that immediate and irreparable injury Is I likely to ensue to the complainant , and shall define the injury , state why It Is ir- reparable and shall also endorse on the order Issued the date and the hour of the Issuance of the order. Moreover , every such injunction or restraining order Issued without previous notice and opportunity by the defendant to be heard should by force of the statute expire and be of no effect after seven days from the Issuance thereof or within any time less than that period which the court may fix , unless within such seven days or such less peri- od , the injunction or order Is extended or renewed after previous notice and oppor- tunity to be heard. My judgment is that the -passage of such an act which really embodies the best practice in equity and is very like the rule now In force In some courts , will prevent the issuing 0 Ill-advised orders of Injunction without notice and will ren- der such orders when issued much less I objectionable by the short time in which they may remain effective. Interstate Commerce Law : The jurisdiction of the general govern ment over interstate commerce has led to the passage of the so-called "Sherman Antitrust Law" and the "Interstate Com- merce Law" and its amendments. The developments in the operation of those laws , as shown b : Indictments , trials , ju- dicial decisions , and other sources of In- formation , call for a discussion and some suggestions as to amendments. The PostoHice Department. The deficit every year in the postofilce department is largely caused by the low rate of postage of 1 cent a pound harged on second-class mail matter , whlch In- cludes not only newspapers but maga- zines and miscellaneous periodicals. The actual loss growing out o the transmis- sion of this second-class mall matter at 1 cent a pound amounts to about $03.000- 000 a year. The average cost of the transportation of this matter is more than 9 cents a . pound. A great saving might be made , amounting to much more than half of the loss , by imposing upon magazines and periodicals a higher rate of postage. They are much heavier than newspapers , and contain a much higher proportion of ad- vertising to reading matter , and the a \ ' - erage distance of their transportation is three and a half times as great. The total , .deficit for the last fiscal year in the post office department amounted to 17500000. The branches of its business which it did at a loss were the second class mail service , In which the loss as already said was $63,000.000. and the free rural delivery , in which the loss was $2S.- 000,000. Those losses were in part offset by the profits of the letter postage and other sources of Income. I would se m wise to reduce the loss upon second class mall matter , at least to the extent of pre- venting a deficit in the total operations of the post office department. The second subject worthy of mention in the postollice department is the real necessity and entire practicability of es tablishing postal savings banks. The suc- cessful party at the last election declared in favor of postal savings banks , and al- though the proposition finds opponents in many parts of the country , I am con- vinced that the people desire such banks , and am sure that when the banks are furnished they will be productive of the utmost good. I believe them to be neces- sary In order to offer a proper Induce- ment to thrift and saving to a great many people of small means who do not now have banking facilities * , and to whom such a system would offer an opportunity for the accumulation of capital. They will furnish a satisfactory substitute , based on sound principle and actual suc- cessful trial in nearly all the countries of the world for the system of govern ment guarantee of deposits now being adopted in several western states which with deference to those who advocate i seems to me to have in it the seeds of demoralization to conservative banking and certain financial disaster. The question of how the money depos- ited In postal savings banks shall be in- vested is not free from difficulty , but I believe that a satisfactory provision for this purpose was inserted as an amend- ment to the bill considered by the Senate at its last session. I has been proposed to delay the consideration of legislation establishing a postal savings bank until after the report of the monetary commis- sion. This report Is likely to be delayed and properly so , because of the necessity for careful deliberation and close investi gation. I do not see why the one should be tied up with the other. I is under- stood that the monetary commission have looked into the systems of banking which now prevail abroad , and have found that by a control there exercised in respect to reserves and the rates of exchange by some central authority panics are avoid- ed. I is not apparent that a system of postal savings banks would In any way interfere with a change to such a system here. Certainly in most of the countries in Europe where control Is thus exercised by a central authority , postal savings banks exist and are not thought to be in- consistent with a proper financial and banking system. Recommend Ship Subsidy. Following the course of my distin guished predecessor , I earnestly recom- mend to Congress the consideration and passage of a ship subsidy bill , looking to the establishment of lines between our Atlantic seaboard and the eastern coast of South America , as well as lines from the west coast of the United States to South America , China , Japan and the Philippines. Interior Department. The successful party In the last elec- tion in its national platform declared In favor of the admission as separate states of New Mexico and Arizona , and I rec- ommend that' legislation appropriate to this end be adopted. . A Governor for Alaska. . With respect to the territory of Alas- ka , I recommend legislation which shall provide for the appointment by the Pres- ident of a governor and also an executive o executv council , the members of which shall dur- ing their term of office reside in the ter- ritory , and which shall have legislative powers sufficient to enable I to give to the territory local laws adapted to its present growth. Conservation . of National Resource , In several departments there Is pre- sented the necessity for legislation look- ing to the , further conservation of our national resources , and the subject is one of such importance as to require a more detailed and extended discussion than can be entered upon In this communication. For that reason I shall take an early opportunity to .send . a special message to Congress on the-subject of the improve ment of our waterways , upon the recla- mation and irrigation of arid semi-arid and swamp lands ; upon the preservation of our forests and the reforesting of suIt- able areas ; upon the reclassificatlon of the public domain with a view of sep seI- arating from agricultural settlement min- eral , coal and phosphate lands and sites belonging to the go.ermet bordering on streams suitable for the utilization of water power. Department of Agriculture. I commend to your careful considera- tion the report o the secretary of agri culture a showing the immense sphere of usefulness which that department now fills and the wonderful addition to the wealth of the nation made by the farmers o this country In the crops of the cur- rent year. Tho lighthouse board now discharges its duties under the department of com- merce a"hd labor. I recommend the trans- fer of control over the lighthouses to a suitable civilian bureau. Consolidation of Bureaus. I rquet Cllnrw-L..t . . oltwlb . . - ' * + . . " Hkt ' ' "r- . + v 'oF J - 9" . : . . enable the secretary of commerce and labor to unite the bureaus ot manufac tures and statistics. - sttstcq. The "White Slave" Trade. I greatly regret to have to say that the investigations made In the bureau of Immigration and other sources of in- formation lead to the view that there Is urgent necessity for additional legislation and greater executive activity to sup- press. Bureau of Health. The opportunities offered for useful re search and the spread o useful Infor- mation in regard to the cultivation ot the soil and the breeding of stock and the solution of many of the intricate prob- lems In progressive agriculture have dem onstrated the wisdom of establishing ! that department. Similar reasons , of equal force , can be given for the establishment of a bureau of health that shall not only exercise the police jurisdiction of the fed- eral government respecting quarantine , I but which shall also afford an opportuni- ty for investigation and research by com petent experts into questions of health affecting the whole country or Import- ant sections thereof. questions whlcli. In , the absence of federal governmental work , are not likely to be promptly solved. The CJvil Service CornzirI sInn. The work of the United States civil service commission has been performed to the general satisfaction of the execu- tive officers with whom the commission has been brought into official communI- cation. caton. Recommendations have been made by my predecessors that Congress appropri- ate a sufficient sum to pay the balance- about 38 per cent-of the amounts due- depositors in the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company. Irenew , this recommen- dation. Emancipation Seml-Centennial. The year 1913 will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Issuance of the Eman- cipation Proclamation granting freedom to the negroes. I seems fitting that this event should be properly celebrated. Al- ready a movement has been started bY ; prominent negroes , encouraged by prom- inent white people and the press. In Conclusion. I have thus , in a message compressed as much as the subjects will permit , re- ferred to many o the legislative needs of the country , with the exceptions al- ready noted. Speaking generally , the country is in a high state of prosperity. There is every reason to believe that we are on tho eve of a substantial business expansion , and we have just garnered a harvest unexampled in the market value- of our agricultural products. Tho high , prices which Mien products bring mean great prosperity for the farming com- munity , but on the other hand they mean a very considerably increased burden upon those classes in the community whose yearly compensation does not expand with the improvement in busine. : and the general prosperity. Various reasons are given for the high prices The propor- tionate Increase in the output of gold , which to-day is the chief medium of " : change and is In some respects a mpas o of value , furnishes a substantial explana tion of at least part of the increase In : prices. The increase in popul-ition and' the more expensive mode of living : of the , people , which have not been accompanied by a proportionate increase in acreage production , may furnish a further rea son. It is well to note that the increuse- in the cost of living is not confined to this country , but prevails the worl.l over , and that those who would charge increases In prices to tho existing protective tariftt must meet the fact that the rise in prices- has taken place almost wholly fn those- products of the factory and furni in re- spect to which there has been either no- increase In the tariff or in many instance a very considerable reduction. WM. IT. TAFT. . Mult Henson on the ItacJc. Matthew Henson , the colored com panion of Commander Peary on hia trip to the north pole , began his career as a lecturer before a large audienct- in the New York Hippodrome , speakY Ing from notes and using a number of" photographs which he took on the way. But the interesting part ot tho sho was the quiz at the end. Plenty 04 Cook adherents were there to as questions. These brought out the statement from Hensonthat the Peary , party had suspected that Cook would' claim the discovery of the pole , even- before they started on their trip north ward. Henson said he could have' taken observations while with Peary at the pole , but that he was not asked- to do so by Peary , and hence did not. do it. World Shipping Federation. Word comes from London that a gi - gantic international combine of ship owners was formed there last weelo Delegates from the shipowning feder ations of England , Germany , Holland * Belgium , Denmark and Sweden , repre senting more than 16,000,000 tons of shipping , had registered in accordance with the British law. It is intended ultimately to embrace all federations of shipping interests in the world. i France and Norway already have sig- I nified their willingness to join. ( Tha objects are said to be purely defensive against the "unreasonable attack which may be made by trade unions and others upon the shipowners' free dom of contract In the employment oi labor. " Headquarters will be In Lon don. Teat Cases in SpoUane. The contest for the right of free speech and peaceable assembly which the Industrial Workers of the World have been waging at Spokane reached the test-case stage during the week , Two of the 275 men arrested were - picked out to serve this purpose , ona charged with vagrancy and the other with disorderly conduct. The local Central Labor Union and the socialist have come to the assistance of the I. W. W. men , and these cases will be carried to the higher courts if neces sary. All of the women arrested wera released by the police justice on thelj promise not to take an active part un til the test cases have been disposed of. Another Football Victim. Archer Christian , son of a Richmond banker , was injured fatally while play ing as half back on the University ol Virginia team in its match with Georgetown University at Washington , Owing to this fatality Georgetown hsu canceled all games for the season. Xot to Be Taken SerIou ily. _ We are told that Mrs. Pankhurs& says that American women are not- I serious enough. Probably she " has- heard some of .them say they haven't a thing to wear. - Cleveland Plai Dealer. . ' - N