THIS, CITIKKH, WKDNKSDAV, DHL'KMIIEH 7, 1010.
TAFT'S MESSAGE
UP TO CONGRESS
President Breaks Record For
Length of Document,
DEFENDS PAYNE TARIFF ACT.
Deals With Panama Canal, Postal Sav
ings Bank, Parcels Post and Conser
vation Asks For Raise of Judicial
j Salaries Recommendation For Fit
ting Honor For Peary.
Washington, Dec. C The president
Bent the following message to congress
today:
To the Senate and House of Repre
sentatives: During the past year the foreign re
lations of the United States have cbfi
tlnued upon a bnsls of friendship nail
good understanding.
The year has been notable as wit
nessing the pacific settlement of two
important International controversies
before the permanent court of The
II ague.
The arbitration of the fisheries dis
pute between the United States and
Great Britain, which has been the
source of nearly continuous diplomatic
correspondence slnco the fisheries con
tention of lSiS. has given an nward
(whlcli Is satisfactory to both parties.
Peace Commission.
Appreciating theso enlightened tend
encies of modern times, the congress
at Its last session passed a law provid
ing for the appointment of a commis
sion of five members "to be appointed
by tho president of the United States
to consider tho expediency of utilizing
existing International agencies for the
purpose of limiting the armaments of
tbe nations of the world by luternatlon
al agreement and of constituting tho
combined navies of the world an Inter
national force for the preservation of
universal peace and to consider and
report upon any other means to dimin
ish tho expenditures of government for
military purposes and to lessen the
probabilities of war."
Tho work of tho international fish-
eries commission appointed In 190S,
under the treaty of April 11, 100S, be
tween Great Britain and the United
States, has resulted In tho formula
tion and recommendation of uniform
regulations governing tho fisheries of
the boundary waters of Canada and
the United States for the purpose of
protecting and Increasing the supply
of food fish in such waters.
The Far East.
The center,of Interest in far eastern
affairs during tho past year has again
been China.
It is gratifying to note that the ne
gotlatlons for a loan to tho Chinese P""?1- Useless divisions have been
government for the construction of the "Polished, with the result of saving
trunk railway lines from Hankow 5 0-000 this year in tho total ex
southward to Canton and westward lenses of tho bureau despite increased
through the Yangtso valley, known ns '"slness.
tho Ilukuang loan, were concluded by Revenues,
tbe representatives of tho various ; As the treasury department is tho
financial groups In May last and the
results approved by their respective
governments.
Tariff Negotiations.
The new tnrlff law in section 2 re
epectlng the maximum and minimum .-amo a law Aug. 0, 1009. As an ln
tarlffs of the United States, which pro- -01110 producing measure tho existing
visions came into effect on April 1, tariff bill has never been exceeded by
15)10. imposed upon tho president tho mny customs bill in tho history of tho
responsiuiuiy or determining prior to
that date whether or not any undue
discrimination existed against tho
United States and Its products In any
country of the world with which wo
sustained commercial relations.
The policy of broader nnd closer
trade relations with the Dominion of
Canada which was Initiated In the ad
justment of the maximum and mini
mum provisions of the tariff act of
August, 1009, has proved mutually ben
eficial. It Justifies further efforts for
the readjustment of tho commercial
relations of the two countries so that
their commerce may follow the chan
nels natural to contiguous countries
and be commensurate with the steady
expansion of trade and industry on
both sides of tho boundary line.
The Department of State.
All tariff negotiations, so vital to our
commerce and Industry, and tbe duty
of Jealously guarding the equitable and
just treatment of our products, capital
and Industry nbroad devolve upon the
department of state.
The efforts of that department to se-
cure for citizens of the United States
equal opportunities in the markets of
the world and to expand American
commcrcu have been most successful.
The volume of business obtained in
new fields of competition and upon
new lines Is already very great, and
congress Is urged to contlnuo to sup
port the department of state in its en
deavors for further trade expansion.
An Instrumentality Indispensable to
tho unhampered and natural develop
ment of American commerce Is mer
chant marine. All maritime and com
mercial nations recognlzo tho Impor
tance of tills factor. The greatest com
mercial nations, our competitors, Jeal
ously foster their merchant marine.
I alluded to this most important sub
feet In my last annual message. It has
Dftcn been ltore you, and I need not
recapitulate tho reasons for Its recom
mendation. Unless prompt action bo
taken tho completion of tho Panama
canal will find tlils tho only great com
mercial nation unablo to avail In Inter
national maritime business of this great
contribution to tho means of tho world's
commercial Intercourse.
For ninny rr.tiKOiw I o.is no. tistrou.
ly urge upon tin emigres Mm ituw-p
of a measure by mull subsidy or otlir
subvention adequate to gun,rnnte,,.thi
establishment ard rapid devolppiaeil
of nn America merchant marine, tftt
restoration of the American t!ng to lti
nncient place upon the seas.
Estimates For Noxt Yeor'o Expanses.
The final estimates for the year end
lng June 30, i:)12, ns they have been
sent to the treasury on Nov. 21) of this
year for the ordinary expenses of the
government, Including those for pub
lic buildings, rivers and harbors and
tho navy building program, amount to
$030,401,013.12. This Is $52,904,887.3(1
less than the appropriations for the
fiscal year ending Juno 30, 1911. It Is
$1G,SS3,153.44 less than the totnl esti
mates, including suplcmental esti
mates submitted to congress by the
treasury for tho year 1011, and is $5,
074.C50.39 less than tho original esti
mates submitted by tho treasury for
1011.
These figures do not Include tho ap
propriations for the Panama canal, tho
policy in respect to which ought to bo
nnd is to speud as much each year ns
pan bo economically nnd effectively ex
pended in order to complete the canal
as promptly as possible, and there
fore the ordinary motive for cutting
down, tho expense of tho government
daiyJ' not apply to appropriations for
this purpose. It will be noted Uiat tho
estimates for the Pannma canal for
tho ensuing yenr are more than $50,
000,000, an increase of 520,000,000
over tho amount appropriated for this
year, n difference due to the fact that
the estimates for 1012 include some
thing over $19,000,000 for the fortifica
tion of the caiuil.
Against the estimates of expendi
tures, 5030,401,013.12, wo have esti
mated receipts for next year $GS0,
000,000, making a probable surplus of
ordinary receipts over ordinary ex
penditures of about $50,000,000, or,
taking Into account tho estimates for
the Panama canal, which are $50,920,
S47.C9 and which will ultimately be
paid In bonds, it will leave a deficit
for the next year of about $7,000,000
If congress shall conclude to fortify tho
canal. The cost of tho fortifications
Is about $19,000,000. Should thero be
no appropriations this year- for fortifi
cations then there would be, even in
cluding tho Panama canal appropria
tion, a surplus of about $12,000,000.
It is not essential to the preventing
of smuggling that customs districts
should be Increased in number. The
violation of the customs laws can be
quite as easily prevented and much
more economically by tho revenue cut
ter service and by tho use of tho spe
cial agent traveling force of tho treas
ury department.
Very great Improvements have been
tuado In respect to the mints and as
say oftices. Diminished appropriations
have been asked for those whose con
tinuance Is unnecessary, and this
year's estimate of expenses Is $320,000
less than two years ago.
In the bureau of engraving and
printing great economies ,have been
alm through which tho income of tho
sjovernment Is collected and its expend
itures are disbursed this seems a
proper place to consider the operation
of the existing tariff bill, which bc-
country.
The corporation excise tax, propor
tioned to tho net Income of every busi
ness corporation In tho country, has
worked well. Tho tax has been easily
1 ollected. Its prompt payment Indi
cates that the Incidence of the tax has
not been heavy. It offers, moreover.
1111 opportunity for knowledge by tho
government of the general condition
and business of all corporations, nnd
Hint means by far the most importnnt
part of the business of the country. In
the originnl act provision was made
for the publication of returns. This
provision was subsequently nmended
by congress and tho matter left to the
1 regulation of the president. I have dl
1 rected the issue of the needed regula
Hons and have made it possible for tho
public generally to know from on ex
nmlnatlon of tba record tbe returns of
all corporations tho stock of which is
listed on any public stock exchange or
s offered for solo to the general pub-
He by advertisement or otherwise. The
returns of those corporations whose
stock Is not so listed or offered for
halo are directed to bo open to the In
epcctlon nnd examination of creditors
uud stockholders of the corporation
whoso record is sought The returns
if nil corporations aro subject to tho
Inspection of any government officer or
to tho examination of any court, In
which tho return mado by tho corpora
tlon is relevant and competent evi
dence.
The Payne Tariff Act,
Tbe schedules of tho rates of duty
In tho Payne tariff act have been sub
Jcctcd to a great deal of criticism,
Home of it Just, more of It unfounded,
und to much misrepresentation. The
act was adopted In pursuanco of a
declaration by the party which is re
sponsible for It that a customs bill
should bo a tariff for tho protection
of home industries, tho measure of the
protection to bo tho difference between
tho cost of producing the imported ar
ticle abroad and tho cost of producing
It at home, together with such nddi
Hon to that dlfferenco as might give
a reasonable profit to tho homo pro-
flicer.
The basis for tbe criticism of this
is llittl In respect to 11 numbct
!.! schedules the tliv.tired meaKun'
as not followed, lint a higher differ
me leiniueu ur uweniti iiy way or
undue diNivliulimtlon in favor of eer
tiltt industries nnd iimnufarturc
Little. If any. or the erltlclsm nf the
riff has been directed iignlht the
-tet-tlve principle nbove stated, but
i' main body of tbecrltlcjMin Imstienii
ascd on the charge that the nttcmpt
to conform to the tnenure of protec
tion was not honestly nnd sincerely ad
hered to.
Tariff Board.
Tho time In vhlch the tariff was pre
pared undoubtedly was so short aw to
make It Impossible for the congress
and Its experts to ncqulre the Infortnn
Hon necessary strictly to conform to
tho declared measure. In order to avoid
criticism of this kind In the future nnd
for tho purpose of more nearly conform
ing to the party promise congress nt Its
last session made provision at my re
quest for tho continuance of a board ere
ated under the authority of the uiaxl
mum and minimum clause of the tariff
bill nnd authorized this board to expend
the money appropriated under my di
rection for tho ascertainment of the
cost of production at home and abroad
of the various articles Included In the
schedules of tho tariff. The tariff
board thus appointed nnd authorized
has been diligent in preparing Itself for
the neccssnry Investigations. The hope
of those who have advocated the use
of this board for tariff purposes Is that
the question of the rate of n duty Im
posed shall become more of a business
question and less of a political qucs
tlon, to bo ascertained by experts of 1
long training nnd accurate knowledge.
ho hnlt In business nnd the shock to
business duo to tho announcement that
a new tariff bill is to be prepared and
put In operation will be avoided by
treating the schedules one by one as
occasion shall arise for a change In tho
rates of each and only after a report
upon tho schedule by the tariff board 1
ompetent to make rucIi report
it is not likely that the board will be I
able to make a report during the pres-
ent session of congress on any of the '
schedules, because n proper cxamlna- !
tlon Involves an enormous amount of
detail and a great deal of care, but I '
hope to bo able at tho opening of tho 1
new congress, or at least during the
session of 4uat congress, to bring to
Its nttontlon the facts in regard to
those schedules In tho present tnrlff ,
that mny prove to need nmendmont
The carrying out of this plan, of I
course. Involves tho full co-operation !
of congress In limiting the consldern- . by the United htatos from tuis ex
tlon In tnrlff mnttcrs to one schedule I peuditure are not to be measured solely
at a time, because If a proposed amend- j by a return upon the Investment
ment to a tariff bill is to involve a
rnmnlofo consideration of nil tim 1
schedules nnd another revision then
...
we shall only repeat tbe evil from
which the business of this country h'ns
in times pnst suffered most grievously
by stagnation and uncertainty, pend
ing n resettlement of a law affectinc
all business directly or indirectly, and
the effect of which no wise business
man would Ignore In new projects and 1 of maintenance and operation is esti
new Investments. I mated to exceed $3,000,000.
The Inquiries which tho members of
tho tariff board made during the Inst
summer into tho methods pursued by
other governments with reference to
the fixing or tariffs and the determina
tion of then effect upon trade show
that each government maintains an of-
flee or bureau tho officers nnd em-
ntnvr. nf whini, i,nr mnrt thni- nf
J W "UtX-U "11. "VV, fcLlt-ll
work tho study of tariff matters, of
foreign and home prices and cost of
articles imported and the effect of the
tariff upon trade, so that whenever n
change is thought to be necessary In
the tariff law "Is office Is the source
of tho most reliable information as to
the propriety of the change and Its ef
fect
I am strongly
convinced that we
need in this government Just such an
office nnd that it can bo secured by
making tho tariff board already np- tWs enormous slie In a sparsely popu
pointed a permanent tariff commission. ,.,, Pnntrv nnd In tho tronlcs. where
with such duUes. powers and emolu-
monts ns It may seem wise to congress
to give. It has been proposed to en-
largo tho board from three to five. The , full poUco powers, exercising tho ut
present number Is convenient but I mogt carc.
do not know that an increase of two j j cannot close this reference to the
members would bo objectionable. , canai without suggesting ns a wise
I recommend that congress establish
a commission to dctermlno as early as
practicable a comprehensive policy for
the organization, mobilization and ad-
ministration of tho regular army, the
urKumzuu uiuiuu mui uie volunteer
forces In the event of war.
Need For Additional Officers.
One of the great difficulties in the
prompt organization and mobilization
of mllltla and volunteer forces is the
nbsenco of competent officers of the
rnnk of captain to teach tho now army,
by the unit of tbo company, tho busi
ness of being soldiers and of taking
caro of themselves bo as to render of-
'ective service. This need of nriny
rfllcers can only bo supplied by pro
rlslons of law authorizing tho appoint
nent of a greater number of army of
ficers than nro needed to supply tbe
commands of regular army troops now
enlisted In tho service.
In order that tho mllltla of each
state should be properly drilled and
mado more like tho regular nrray, reg
ular army officers should bo detailed
to assist the adjutant general of each
state In the supervision of tho state
mllltla. But this Is Impossible unless
provision Is made by congress for n
very considerable Increuso in the num
ber of company nud field officers of
the army.
Fortifications.
I havo directed that tho estimates
for appropriation for tho Improvement
of const defenses In tho United States
should be. reduced to a minimum,
while those for the completion of the
needed fortifications at Corregldor, In
tho Philippine Islands, and at Pearl
Harbor, in the Hawaiian Islands,
Khun?.! lie expedllod iih muc 1 'as kss1
ble. .
Phillpp! to Islands,
During the Inst fcUtiiitier nt myre
quest tin se. retary of war visited 1 1t
Philippine Islands iihd Itrts uVxcrlbeO
his trip In his report' He found the
Islands In it state of ttamiullltty nnd
growing prosperity, due largely to the
change In the tariff laws which has
opened the markets of America to tho
products of the Philippines nnd has
opened the Philippine markets" to
American manufactures.
Panama Canal.
At the Instance of Colonel Goelhals.
tho army engineer officer In chnrge of
the work on the Panama canal, I have
Just made a visit to tbe Isthmus to In
spect tho work done nnd to consult
with him on the ground ns to certain
problems which nro likely to nrlse In
tun near future. The progress of the
work i most satisfactory. If no nn
expected obstacle presents Itself the
oanal will be completed well within the
Hmo fixed by Colonel Goethals to wit,
Jan. 1, 1015 and within the estimate
of cost, $375,000,000.
Among questions arising for present
solution Is tho decision whether the
canal shall be fortified. I have already
(stated to the congress that I strongly
1 lavor luruncuuun, ami 1 uuw reiiuniK"
! this opinion nnd ask your consideration
of tho subject In the light of tho report
'already before you made by a compe
', tent board.
I If In our discretion we believe mod-
ern fortifications to be necessary to the ,
I adequate protection and policing of the
I canal, then It Is our duty to construct
them. Wo have built the canal. It Is
I our property. By convention we have
Indicated our desire for nnd Indeed un-
dertnken Its universal nnd equal use
I It Is also well known that one of tho
I chief objects In the construction of the
I canal has been to lncreaso the military
effectiveness of our navy.
I Failure to fortify tho canal would
leave the attainment of both theso
alms In the position of rights and ob
ligations which we should be powerless
to enforce and which could never In
any other way be absolutely safeguard- '
ed against a desperate and lrresponsl- ,
ble enemy. 1
In determining what the tolls In the ,
canal should be wo certainly ought not
to Insist that for a good many yenrs
to come they should amount to enough
to pay tiie Interest on tho Investment 1
of $400,000,000 which the United j
States has made in the construction ;
of tho canal. Wo ought not to do tms
first, because the benefits to be derived
My own Impression is mat tne tons
ought not to exceed $1 per net ton. Un
1 Jan. 1, 1011. the tolls In the Suez canal
' . . - . . 1
are to bo 7 francs and 28 ccnUmes for
one not ton by Suez canal measure-
ment which Is a modification of
nnnnho measurement A dollar a ton
will secure under the figures above a
' GrS3 annual Income from tho Panama
canal of nearly $7,000,000. The cost
'Ihe next question that arises is as
i to tho maintenance, management and
general control of tho canal after Its
completion. It should be premised
1 that It Is an essential part of our navy
establishment to have tho coal, oil nud
! other ship supplies, a drydock ami
' rP1,lr shops conveniently located with
; reference to naval vessels passing
. . . tO t1,A
turougn me cauu.. """"'""
ment for naval purposes Is to under-
I tfko t0 m?TT
! tuo nn,d h "L
Tgl
lbo govcrnlncnt sUould
tflke ver aud lncludo In lts manaKe.
ment the furnishing not ouly to the
nnrr lmt- in tho nnhllc. drvdock nnd
' clinn fn-iiipa nnd tho sale of
j c0Ja, 0 and otner Bhlp 8pPiics.
, , nlnlnnnnr, f n lock canal of
; .... (1nnl?nr from disease is always
I prescnt, requires a large and complete
j nn1 'ii trained organization with
1 nmendment to the interstate commerce
jftW a provision prohibiting Interstate
COmmerco railroads from owning or
Pontrolllne shins engaged In the trade
1 hrnPi1 tho Panama cannl. I believe
such a provision may bo needed to
save to the people of tho United States
tho benefits of the competition lu trade
between the eastern and western sea
boards which this canal was construct
cd to secure.
Department of Justice.
I am glad to say that under tbe ap
propriations made for tho department
of Justice tho attorney genernlTins o
Improved its organization that n vast
amount of litigation of n civil and
criminal cburacter has been disposed
of during tho current year. This will
explain tho necessity for slightly lu
creasing tho estimates for the ex
penses of the department His report
shows tho recoveries made on behalf
of the government, of duties fraudu
lently withheld, public lnnds lmpn
erly patented, fines nnd penalties r
trespass, prosecutions and conviction
under tho nntl-tmst law nnd prosed.
Hons under Interstate commerce law
I Invito especial attention to the
prosecutions under tho federal law of
tho so called "bucket shops" and of
those schemes to defraud In which the
use of tho mall Is an essential part
of tho fraudulent conspiracy, prosecu
Hons which havo saved ignorant and
weak members of the public nnd nro
saving them millions of dollars.
Tho violations of the anti-trust law
present pertmps tbo most Important
litigation beforo tho department, and
tho number of cases filed shows the
activity of the government In enforc
ing that Htututo.
Judicial Procedure.
One giVnt crying need In tho United
States Ik cheapening the cost of litiga
tion by simplifying Judicial procedure
nnd expediting final Judgment Under
present conditions tho poor man Is nt
1 woeful disadvantage In n legal con
test with a corporation or n rich op
ponent The necessity for the reform
exists both In United States courts
nnd in all stnto courts. Iti order to
bring It about, however, It naturally
falls to the general government by Its
cxnmplo to furnish a model to all
states. A legislative commission ap
pointed by Joint resolution of congress
to revise tbe procedure in tho United
States courts has as yet mado no re
port. I am strongly convinced that the
best method of Improving Judicial pro
cedure nt law Is to empower the su
premo court to do It through the me
dium of tbo rules of tho court, bb In
equity. This Is the way In which it
has been done in England.
Relief of Supreme Court From Un
necessary Appeals.
No man ought to have as a matter of
right a review of bis case by tho su
preme court. He should be satisfied
by one hearing beforo a court of first
instance nnd one review by a court of
appeals. Tho proper nud chief useful
ness of the supreme court, and espe
cially tho supreme court of tho United
Rfntna la Iti tlin nnanQ Trlilph pnmA ho.
fore ,t SQ tQ expound tuo Iaw anj cspc.
dally the fundamental law the' con-
stitutlon as to furnish precedents for
tho Inferior courts In future litigation
nnd for the executive officers In the
construction of statutes and tho per
formance of their legal duties. There
fore any provisions for review of cases
by tho supremo court that castupon
that court the duty of passlngon ques
tions of evidence and the construction
of particular forms of instruments, like
indictments or wills or contracts, de
cisions not of general application or
importance, merely clog and burden
tho court and render more difficult its
higher function, which mnkes It so lm
portent a part of the framework of
our government. The supreme court is
now carrying an unnecessary burden
of appeals of this kind, and I earnestly
urge that It be removed.
Judicial Salaries.
I further recommend to congress tho
passage of tho bill now pending for
the lncrcnse In tho salaries of tbo fed-
! eral Judges, by which tho chief Justice
of tho supreme court shall receive $17,
500 and the associate Justices $17,000,
the circuit Judges constituting tho cir
cuit court of appeals shall receive $10,-
000 and the district Judges $9,000. The
positions they occupy ought to be filled
tx' iti iin n-lin hnrn hr,,i-n tlin m-Antnet
by men who nave shown tho greatest
ability in their professional work at
1 the bar, and It is tho poorest economy
possible for the government to pay
salaries so low for Judicial service as
not to bo able to command the best
talent of the legal profession In every
part of the country.
Wiping Out of Postal Deficit
For many years there has been a
deficit in the operations of tho post-
office department which hns been met
1 by appropriation from the treasury,
The appropriation estimated for last
year from the treasury over and above
the receipts of tho department was
$17,500,000. I am glad to record the
1 fact that of that $17,500,000 estimated
I for $11,500,000 were saved and return
ed to the treasury. It Is gratifying
, to report that the reduction In tho
deficit has been accomplished without
! any curtailment of postal facilities.
Upon tho recommendaUon of the
postmaster general I have included In
the classified service all assistant post
masters, and I believe that this giving
a sccuro tenure to those who are the
most important subordinates of post
masters will add much to the efficiency
of their offices and an economical ad
ministration.
The Franking Privilege.
Tho unrestricted manner In which
tho franking privilege Is now being
used by the several federnl services
and by congress has laid it open to se
rious abuses.
Parcels Post
With respect to the parcels post,
respectfully recommend Its adoption
on all rural delivery routes and that
eleven pounds, tho International limit
bo made the limit of carriage in such
nost The nostofflce department has a
great plant and n great organization
reaching into the most remote hamlet
of the United States, and with this
machinery It is able to do a great
many things economically that if
new organization were necessary It;
would be impossible to do without ex
travagant expenditure. That Is tho
reason why tho postal savings bank
can be carried on at a small additional
cost nnd why It Is possible to incor
porate at n very lnconsldcrablo ax
penso a parcels post in the rural de
livery system.
Peary.
I unlto with tho secretary In tho rec
ommendation that an appropriation
bo made to construct a suitable crypt
at Annapolis for tho custody of tho
remains of John Paul Jones.
Tbo unparalleled achievement of
Peary In reaching the north pole, April
0, 1009, approved by critical examina
tion of tho most expert scientists, has
added to tbo distinction of our navy,
to which he belongs, nnd reflects credit
upon bis country. His unique success
has received generous acknowledgment
from scientific bodies and Institutions
of learning In Hurope nnd America. I
recommend fitting recognition by con
gress of tho great nculevcment of Rob
ert Edwin Peary.
For Eight Hour Day.
It seems to me from the past history
that the government has been com
mitted' to a Dolicv of encouraging the
limitation of the day's work to eight
hours in nil works of construction initi
ated by Itself, nnd It seems to me Il
logical to maintain n dlfferenco between
government work done on government
soli nnd government work done In a
private establishment
Workmen's Compensation.
In view of the keen, widespread In
terest now felt In the United States In
system of compensation for Indus
trial accidents to supplant our present
thoroughly Unsatisfactory system of
employers' liability (a subject tho im
portance of which, congress has al
ready recognized by the appointment
of a commission), I recommend that
the International congress on Indus
trial Insurance bo invited to hold Its
meeting in 1013 In Washington nnd
thnt nn appropriation of $10,000 be
made to cover tho necessary expenses
of organizing and carrying on the
mecUng.
Safety Appliances and Provisions.
Tho protection of railroad employees
from personal Injury is a subject of
the highest Importance and demands
continuing attention.
Negro Exposition.
I also renew my recommendation
that steps be taken looking to the hold
ing of a negro cxposIUon In celebra
tion of the fiftieth anniversary of the
Issuing by Mr. Lincoln of tho emnncl
patlonx proclamation.
Conservation.
Nothing can be more Importnnt In
tho matter of conservation than the
treatment of our forest lands. Speak
ing generally, the government hns re
served of the existing forests about 70
per cent "of all the timberlauds of the
government. Within these forests (In
cluding 20.000,000 acres In two forests
In Alaska) are 192,000,000 acres, of
which ICO.000,000 acres are In the
United States proper and include with
in their boundaries something like 22,
000,000 acres that belong to tho states
or to private Individuals. Wo have.
then, excluding Alaska forests, a total
of about 144.000,000 acres of forests
belonging to the government which
nro being treated in accord with tho
principles of scientific forestry.
The law now prohibits tho reserva
tion of any more forest lands in Ore
gon, Washington, Idaho, Montana,
Colorado and Wyoming except by
act of congress. I am Informed by
tho department of agriculture that the
government owns other tracts of tim-
bcrland in these states which should
bo Included .in the forest reserves. I
recommend to congress that the liml-
tatlon herein Imposed be repealed. In
the present forest reserves there are
lands' which are not properly forest
land nnd which ought to be subject to
homestead entry.
Coal Lands.
The next subject and one most im
portant for your consideration, la tho
disposition of tbe coal Iand3 In the
United States and in Alaska. At tho
beginning of this 'administration there
were classified coal lands In the Unit
ed States amounting to 5,470.000 acres,
and thero were withdrawn from entry
for purposes of classification 17.S07.000
acres. Since that time there have been
withdrawn by my order from entry
for classification 78,077,745 acres, mak
ing n total withdrawal of 90.S44.745
acres. Meantime: or tno acres tnus
withdrawn 10.0C1.8S9 have been classi
fied nnd found not to coutnln coal and
have been restored to agricultural en
try nnd 4.720,091 acres have been clas
sified as coal lands', while 79.003.239
acres remain withdrawn from entry
and await classlOcaUon. In addition
337,000 acres hnve been classified us
coal lands without prior withdrawal,
thus increasing the classified coal lands
to 10,429,372 acres.
The question as to how great nn
area ought to be included In a lease to
one Individual or corporation Is not
free from difficulty, but in view of the
fact that the government retains con
trol as owner I think there might be
some liberality In the amount leased
and that 2.500 acres would not be too
great a maximum. The leases should
only be granted after advertisement
and public competition.
The secretary of the Interior thinks
there are difficulties in the way of
leasing public coal lands. I entirely
approved his stating at length In his
report the objections In order that tho
whole subject may bo presented to
congress, but after a full consideration
I favor a leasing system and recom
mend It
The needed o'.l nnd gas law Is essen
Ually a leasing law. In their natural
occurrence oil and gns cannot be
measured In terms of acres, like coal,
and It follows that exclusive title to
these products can normally be se
cured only after they reach the sur
face. Oil should be disposed of as a
commodity In terms of barrels of
transportable product rather than In
acres of real estate.
Water Power Rates.
Tho water power sites subject is one
that calls for new legislation. It has
been thought that there was danger
of combination to obtain possession of
all the power sites and to unite them
under ono control. Whatever the evi
dence of this or lack of It, at present
we hnve had enough experience to
know thnt combination would be prof
itable, and the control of a great num
ber of power sites would enable the
holders or owners to raise the price
of power at will within certain sec
tions, nnd the tomptatlon would
promptly attract Investors, and the
danger of monopoly and extortion
would not be n remote one.
However this may be. It Is the plain
duty of the government tp see to It
that In the utilization nnd develop
ment of nil this Immense nmount or
water power conditions shnll be Im
posed that will prevent extortionate
charges, which are tho usunl accompa
niment of monopoly.