Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 36, Number 27, 6 December 1910 — Page 9

legislation. It bat been thought tbat there wn danger of combination to obtain possession of all the power sites and to unite them under one control. Whatever the evidence of this, or lack of It, at present we have bad enough experience to kuow tbat combination would be profitable, and the control of a great number of power sites would enable the holders or owners to raise the price of power at will within certain sections, and the temptation would promptly attract Investors and the danger of monopoly and extortion would not be a remote one. However this may be, it is the plain duty of the government to see to it that In the utilisation and development of all this Immense amount of water power condition "hall l Imposed tbat will prevent extortionate charge, which are the usual accompaniment of monopoly. The difficulty rf adjusting the matter Is accentuated by the relation of the power sites to the water, the fnl! and flow of which create the power. In the state where these sites are the riparian owner does not control or own the power in the water which flows past hi land. That jiower I under the control and within the grant f the state, and generally the rule I that the first user Is entitled to the enjoyment. Now, the possession of the bank or water power site over which the water is to be ronveyed in order to make the power useful gives , to Its owner an advantage and a certain kind of control over the use of the water iower, and it Is proponed that 'the government In dealing with Its own lands should use this advantage land leaso lands for power sites to J those who would develop the power ,and Impose conditions on the leasehold with refereuce to the reasonable Dsm of the rates at which the power I when transmuted Is to le furnished to the public and preventing the 'buses of monopoly by forbidding as1 sign men t of the lease save with con'sent of the government. Serious difficulties are anticipated by

one In such an attempt on the part of the general government, because of the sovereign control of the state over the water power In Its natural condition, and the mere proprietorship of the government In the riparian lauds. It la contended that through Its mere proprietary right in the site the central government baa no power to attempt t exercise police Jurisdiction with reference to how the water powin a river owned and controlled by state shall be used and that it is violation of the state's rights. I question the validity of this objecThe government may Impose any soDditions tbat It chooses In Its lease grf Its own property, even though It Soey have the same purpose and In effect accomplish Just what the state would accomplish by the exercise of fta sovereignty. There are those (and !the director of the geological survey. Air. Smith, who has given a great deal M attention to this matter. Is one of then) who insist that this matter of transmuting water power into electricity which can be conveyed all over the country and across state lines Is a mat,ter that ought to be retained by the general government and that it should avail itself of the ownership of these .power sites for the very purpose of tco-ordlnatlng In one general plan the 'power generated from these government owned sites. I On the other band, it is contended that it would relieve a complicated sitttatlon if the control of the water power alto and the control of the water were vested in the same sovereignty 'and ownership via, the states and then were disposed of for development to private lessees under the restrictions needed to preserve the Interests ,f the public from the extortions and buses of monopoly. J Bills are pending in congress provld;tng that whenever the state authorities deem a water power useful they iBy apply to the government of the j United States for a grant to the state wf the adjacent land for a water power 'site and tbat this grant from the federal government to the state shall contain condition that the state shall never part with the title to the water power alte or the water iowcr, but ball lease It only for a term of years not exceeding fifty, with provisions in the lease by which the rental and the rates for which the power Is furnished to the public shall be readjusted at periods less than the term of the lease, ay every ten years. The argument Is urged against this disposition of power sites that legislators and state authorities are more subject to corporate influence and control than would be the central government In reply it is claimed that a readjustment of the terms of leasehold very ten years would secure to the public and the state Just and equitable terms. In my Judgment either of the plans proposed could be made to work satisfactorily, and I submit the whole matter to congress with the recommendation that one or the other be promptly adopted. I earnestly urge upon congress that at this session general conservation legislation of the character Indicated be adopted. At Its last session this congress tok most useful and proper steps In the cause of conservation by allowing the executive through withdrawals to suspeud the action of the existing lsws in respect to much of the public domain. I have not thought that the danger of disposing of coal lands In the Vnlted States under the present laws in large quantities was so great as to call for their withdrawal, because under the present provisions It Is reasonably certain that the government wM receive the real value of the land. Itut In respect to oil lands or phosphate lands and of gas lands In the Vnlted States and in respect to coal lands In Alaska 1 have exercised the full power of withdrawal with the hope that the action of congress would follow promptly and prevent that tying up of the resources of the country In the western and les nettled portion and In Alaska which mean stagnation and retrojrresslon. The quest lou of conservation Is not a partisan one, and I sincerely hope that even In the short time of the present session consideration may be given to those quest Ions which have now been much discussed and tbat action may be taken upon tbem. Alaska. With reference to the government f Alaska, I have nothing to add to

the recommendations I made In my last message on the subject. I am convinced that the migratory character of the population, its unequal distribution and Its smallness of number, which the new census shows to be about 00.000, In relation to the enormous expanse of the territory make it altogether impracticable to give to those people who are in Alaska today and may not be there a year hence the power to elect a legislature to govern an immense territory to which they have a relation so little permanent. It 1 far bettor for the development of the territory that It be committed to a commission to be appointed by the executive, with limited legislative owers sufficiently broad to meet the local needs, than to continue the present Insufficient government, with few remedial powers, or to make a popular government where there is not projK-r foundation upon which to rest it. The suggestion that the appointment of a commission will lead to the control of the government by eorKrate or selfish and exploiting Interests has not the slightest foundation in fact. Such a government worked well in the Philippines and would work well In Alaska, and those, who are really interested In the proper development of that territory for the benefit of the leoplc who live In It and the ln-nent of the people of the United States, who own it, should support the institution of such a government. I have been asked to recommend that the credit of the government be extended to aid the construction of railroad In Alaska. I ain not ready now to do so. A great many millions of dollars have already leen exiendcd in the construction of at least two railroads, and if laws be passed providing for the proer development of the resources of Alaska, especially for the opening up of the coal lands, I believe that the capital already Invested will Induce the Investment of more capital, sufficient to complete the railroads building and to furnish cheap coal not only to Alaska, but to the whole Pacific coast. The passage of a law permitting the leasing of government coal lands in Alaska after public competition and the appointment of a commission for the government of the territory with enabling powers to meet the local needs will lead to an Improvement in Alaska and the development of her resources that is likely to surprise the country. National Parks. Our national parks have leconic so extensive and Involve so much detail of action In their control tbat It seems to me there ought to be legislation creating a bureau for their care and control. The greatest natural wonder of this country and the surrounding territory should be Included in another national park. I refer to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. Pensions. The uniform policy of the government in the matter of granting pensions to those gallant and devoted men who fought to save tho life of the nation in the perilous days of the great civil war has always been of the most liberal character. Those men are now rapidly passing away. The best obtainable official statistics show that they are dying at the rate of something over 3,000 a month, and In view of their advancing years this rate must Inevitably in proportion rapIdly Increase. To the man who risked everything on the field of battle to save the nation in the hour of Its direst need we owe a debt which has not been and should not Im computed in a begrudging or parsimonious spirit. But while we should be actuated by this spirit to the soldier himself care should be exercised not to go to absurd lengths or distribute the ttounty of the government to classes of persons who may at this late day from a mere mercenary motive seek to obtain some legal relation with an old veteran now tottering on the brink of the grave. The true spirit of the pension laws Is to be found In the noble sentiments expressed by Mr. Lincoln In his last Inaugural address, wherein In speaking of the nation's duty lo Its soldiers when the struggle should be over he said we should "care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphans."

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Products Valued at $8,926,000,000. Increase Over 1909. The report of the secretary of agriculture Invites attention to the stuIhmmIous value of the agricultural products of this couutry, amounting in all to $S.0?.a.0O0,0ii0 for this year. This amount Is larger than tbat of 1900 by fo05,000.0H. The existence of such a crop Indicates u good prospect for busiuess throughout the country. A notable change for the better Is commented upon by the secretary lu tho fact that the south, especially in those regions where the boll weevil has Interfered with the growth of cotton, has given more attention to the cultivation of corn and other cereals, so that there Is a greater diversification of crops in the south than ever before, and all to the great advantage of that section. , The report contains a most interesting account of the activities of the department in Its various bureaus, showing how closely the agricultural progress in this country Is following along the lines of improvement recommended by the department through its publications and the results of its experiment stations in every state and by the Instructions given through the agricultural schools aided by the federal government and following the general curriculum urged by the head and bureau chiefs of the department. The activities of the department have been greatly increased by the enactment of recent legislation by the pure food net, the meat inspection act. the cattle transportation act and the act concerning the Interstate shipment of game. This department Is one of those the scope of whose actlou Is constantly widening, and therefore It Is Impossible under existing legislation to red nee the cost and their estimates below those of preceding years. An Interesting review of the results of an examination made by the de

partment into statistics and prices shows tbat on the average since 1891 farm products have increased in value 72 per cent, while the things which the farmer buys for use hare increased but 12 per cent, an Indication that present conditions are favorable to the farming community. Forest Ssrvics. I have already referred to the forests of the United States and their extent and have urged, as I do again, the removal of the limitation upon the power of the executive to reserve other tracts of land in six western states in which withdrawal for - this purpose is now forbidden. The secretary of agrteuh ture gives a very full description of the disastrous tires that occurred during the last summer in the national forests. A drought more Intense than any recorded in the history of the west had introduced a condition Into the forests which made fires almost inevitable, and locomotive sparks, negligent campers and in some cases Incendiaries furnished the needed immediate cause.At one time the fires were so extended that they covered a rauge of a hundred miles, and the secretary estimates that standing timber of the value of $.ooo,000 was destroyed. Seventy-six persons in the employ of the forest service were killed and many more injured, and I regret to say that there Is no provision in the law by which the expenses for their hospital treatment or of their Interment could be met out of public funds. The Red Cross contributed a thousand dollars, and the remainder of the necessary expenses was made up -by private contribution, chiefly from the force of the forest service and its' officials. I recommend that suitable legislation be adopted to enable the secretary of agriculture to meet the moral obligations of the government in this respect. The specific fund for fighting fires was only nlout $133,000, but there existed discretion lu the secretary in case of an emergency to apply other funds in his control to this purpose, and he did so to the extent of nearly a million of dollars, which will involve the presentation of a deficiency estimate for the current fiscal year of over $000,000. The damage done was .not, therefore, due to the lack of an appropriation by congress available to meet the emergency, but the difficulty of fighting it lay in the remote points where the fires began and where it was impossible with the roads and frails as they now exist promptly to reach them. Froper protection necessitates, as the secretary points out. the expenditure of a good deal more money in the development of roads and trails in the forests, the establishment of lookout stations and tele phone connection between them and places where assistance can be secured. The amount of reforestation shown in the report of the forest service only about 13,000 acres as compared with the 150,000,000 acres of national forests seems small, and I am glad to note that in this regard the secretary of agriculture and the chief of the forest service are looking forward to far greater activity in the use of available government land for this purpose. Progress has been made in learning by experiment the best methods of reforesting. Congress is appealed to now by the secretary of agriculture to make the appropriations needed for enlarging the usefulness of the forest service in this regard. I hope that congress will approve and adopt the estimate of the secretary for this purpose. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR

Deals With Question of the Eight Hour Law. The secretary of the department of commerce and labor has had under his immediate supervision the application of the merit system of promotion to a large number of employees, and his discussion of this method of promotions based ou actual experience I commend to the attention of congress. The Census Bureau. The taking of the census has pro-, ceeded with promptness and efficiency. The secretary believes, and I concur, that it will be more thorough and accurate than any census which has heretofore been taken, but it is not perfect. The motive that prompts men with a false civic pride to induce the padding of census returns in order to Increase the population of a particular city has leen strong enough to lead to fraud In respect to a few cities in this country, and I have directed the attorney general to proceed with all the vigor iKssible against those who are responsible for these frauds. They have been discovered and they will not interfere with the accuracy of the census, but it Is of the highest Importance that official Inquiry of this sort should not be embarrassed by fraudulent conspiracies in some private or local Interest. Bureau of Lighthouses. The reorganization of the lighthouse board has effected a very considerable saving lu the administration, and the estimates for that service for the present year are $428,000 less than for the preceding year. In addition three tenders for which appropriations were made are not being built because they are not at present needed for the service. The secretary Is now asking for a large sum for the addition of lights and other aids to the commerce of the seas, including a number in Alaska. The trade along that coast Is becoming so Important that I respectfully urge the necessity for following his recommendation. Bureau of Corporations. The commissioner of corporations has Just completed the first part A report on the lumber industry tn the United States. This part does not treat of the question of a trust or combination In the manufacture of lumber, a subject to be dealt with later. The commissioner does' find, however, a condition In the ownership of the standing timber of the United States other than the government timber that calls for serious attention. The direct investigation made by the commissioner covered an area which

contains 80 per cent of the privately owned timber of the country. His report shows that one-half of the timber in this area is owned by 200 individuals and corporations, that 14 per cent is owned by three corporations and that there is very extensive interownership of stock as well as other circumstances, all pointing to friendly relations among those who own a majority of this timber, a relationship which might lead to a combination for the maintenance of a price that would be very detrimental to the public Interest and would create the necessity

of removing all tariff obstacles to the free importations of lumber from other countries. Bureau of Fisheries. I am glad to note iu the secretary's report the satisfactory progress which is being made in respect to the preservation of the seals of the Pribilof Islands. Very active steps are being taken by the department of state to secure an arrangement which shall protect the Pribilof herd from the losses due to pelagic sealing. Meantime the government has secured seal pelts of the bachelor seals (the killing of which does not interfere with the maintenance of the herd), from the sale of which next month it is expected to realize about .4.,00. a sum largely In excess of the rental paid by the lessee of the government under the previous contract. Coast and Geodetic Survey. The coast and geodetic survey has been engaged in surveying the coasts of the Philippine archipelago. This is a heavy work because of the extended character of the coast line in those islands, but I am glad to note that about half of the needed survey has been completed. So large a part of the coast line of the archipelago has been unsurveyed as to make navigation in the neighborhood of a number of the islands, and especially on the east side, particularly dangerous. Bureau of Labor. The commisesioner of labor has been actively engaged in composing the differences between employers and employees engaged in interstate transportation under the Krdman act Jointly with the chairman of the interstate commerce commission I cannot speak In too high terms of the success of these two officers in conciliation and settlement of controversies which but for their interposition would have resulted disastrously to all interests. I invite attention to the very serious injury caused to all those who are engaged in the manufacture of phosphorus matches. The diseases incident to this are frightful, and as matches can be made from other materials entirely innocuous I believe that the injurious manufacture could be discouraged and ought to be discouraged by the imposition of a heavy federal tax. I recommend the adoption of this method of stamping out a very serious abuse. Eight Hour Law. Since 18GS It has been the declared purpose of this government to favor the movement for an eight hour day by a provision of law that none of the employees employed by or on behalf of the government should work longer than eight hours in every twenty-four. The first declaration of this view was not accompanied with any penal clause and with no provision for its enforcement, and, though President Grant by a proclamation twice attempted to give it his sanction and to require the officers of the government to carry it out, the purpose of the framers of the law was ultimately defeated by a decision of the supreme court holding that the statute as drawn was merely a direction of the government to its agents and did not invalidate a contract made in behalf of the government which provided in the contract for labor for a day of longer hours than eight. Thereafter, in 1892. the present eight J hour law was passed, which provides that the services and employment of all laborers and mechanics who are now or may hereafter be employed by the government of the United States, by the District of Columbia or by any contractor or subcontractor on any of the public works of the United States and of the said District of Columbia is hereby restricted to eight hours in any one calendar day, and It shall be unlawful, etc. This law has been construed to limit the application of the requirement to those who are directly employed by the government or to those who are employed upon public works situate upon land owned by the United States. This construction prevented its application to government battleships and other vessels built in private shipyards and to heavy guns and armor plate contracted for and made at private establishments. The proposed act provides that no laborer or mechanic doing any part of the work contemplated by a contract with the United States in the employ of the contractor or any subcontractor shall be required or permitted to work more than eight hours a day in any one calendar day. It seems to me from the past history that the government has been committed to a policy of encouraging the limitation of the day's work to eight hours in all works of construction initiated by itself, and It seems to me illogical to maintain a difference between government work done on government soil and government work done In a private establishment, when the work Is of such large dimensions and involves the expenditure of much labor for a considerable period, so that the private manufacturer may adjust himself and his establishment to the special terms of employment that he must make with his workmen for this particular job. To require, however, that every small contract of manufacture entered into by the government should be carried out by the contractor with men working at eight hours would be to Impose an intolerable burden upon the government by limiting its sources of supply land excluding altogether the great ma jority of those who would otherwise compete for its business. The proposed act recognizes this in the exceptions which it makes to contracts "for transportation by land or water, for the transmission of Intelligence and for such materials or articles as may usually be bought in the open market, whether made to conform to particular specifications or cot, or for the purchase of supplies by the government, whether manufactured to

conform to particular specifications or not." I recommend that Instead of enacting the proposed bill, the meaning of which is not clear and definite and might be given a construction embarrassing to the public interest, the present act be enlarged by providing that public works shall be construed to include not only buildings and work upon public ground, but also ships, armor and large guns when manufactured in private yards or factories. One of the great difficulties in enforcing this eight hour law is that its application under certain emergencies becomes exceedingly oppressive and there is a great temptation to subordinate officials to evade it. 1 think that it would be wiser to allow the president by executive order to declare an emergency in special instances in which the limitation might not apply and in such cases to permit the payment by the government of extra compensation for the time worked each day in excess of eight hours. 1 may add that my suggestions in respect to this legislation have the full concurrence of the commissioner of la lor. Workmen's Compensation. In view of the keen, widespread interest now felt in the United States In a system of compensation for in

dustrial accidents to supplant our present thoroughly unsatisfactory system of employers' liability (a subject the importance of which congress has already recognized by the appointment of a commission), I recommend that the international congress on industrial insurance be invited to hold its meeting in 1013 in Washington and that an appropriation of $10,000 be made to cover the necessary expenses of organizing and carrying on the meeting. Bureau of Immigration. The immigration Into this country is Increasing each year. A large part of it comes through the Immigrant station at Ellis island, In the city of New York. An examination of the station and the methods pursued satisfies me that a difficult task is there performed by the commissioner and his force with common sense, the strictest fairness and with the most earnest desire to enforce the law equitably and mercifully. It has been proposed to enlarge the accommodations so as to allow more of the immigrants to come by that port. I do not think it wise policy to do this. I have no objection to on the contrary, I recommend the construction of additional buildings for the purpose of facilitating a closer and more careful examination of each immigrant as he comes in, but I deprecate the enlargement of the buildings and of the force for the purpose of permitting the examination of more immigrants per day than are now examined. If it Is understood that no more immigrants can be taken in at New York than are now taken in and the steamship companies thus are given a reason and a motive for transferring Immigrants to other ports we can be confident that they will be better distributed through the country and that there will not be that congestion In the city of New York which does not make for the better condition of the immi grant or increase his usefulness as a new member of this community. Everything which tends to send the immigrants west and south into rural life helps the country. I concur with the secretary in his recommendations as to the amendments to the immigration law in increasing the fine against the companies for violation of the regulations and in giving greater power to the commissioner to enforce more care on the part of the steamship companies in accepting immigrants. The recommendation of the secretary in which he urges that the law may be amended so as to discourage the separation of families is, I think, a good one. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS. Bureau of Health Public Parks. Imperial Valley Project. In my message of last year I recommended the creation of a bureau of health in which should be embraced all those government agencies outside of the war and navy departments which are now directed toward the preservation of public health or exercise functions germane to that subject. I renew this recommendation. I greatly regret that the agitation in favor of this bureau has aroused a counter agitation against its creation on the ground that the establishment, of such a bureau is to be in the interest of a particular school of medicine. It seems to me that this assumption is wholly unwarranted and that those responsible for the government can be trusted to secure in the personnel of the bureau the appointment of representatives of all recognized schools of medicine and in the management of the "bureau entire freedom from narrow prejudice in this regard. The Imperial Valley Project. By an act passed by congress the president was authorized to expend a million dollars to construct the needed work to prevent injury to the lands of the Imperial valley from the overflow of the Colorado river. I appointed a competent engineer to examine the locality and to report a plan for construction, lie has done so. In order to complete the work it is necessary to secure the consent of Mexico, for part of the work must be constructed in Mexican territory. Negotiations looking to the securing of such authority are quite near success. The Southern Pacific Railroad company proposes to assist us in the work by lending equipment and by the transportation of material at cost price, and It is hoped that the work may be completed before any danger shall arise from the spring floods in the river. The work is being done under the supervision of the secretary of the Interior and his consulting engineer. General Marshall, late chief of engineers, now retired. This leads me to invite the attention of congress to the claim made by the Southern Pacific Railroad company for an amount expended In a similar work of relief called for by a flood and great emergency. This work, as I am informed, was undertaken at the request of my predecessor and. under promise

to reimburse the railroad company. It seems to me the equity of this claim Is manifest, and the only question involved Is the reasonable value of the work done. I recommend the payment of the claim in a sum found to be just. District of Columbia. The government of the District of Columbia is a good government. The police force, while perhaps it might be given or acquire more military discipline in bearing and appearance, is nevertheless an efficient body of men, free from graft, and discharges its important duties in this capital of the nation effectively. The parks and streets of the city and the District are generally kept clean and in excellent condition. The commissioners of the District have its affairs well in hand and, while not extravagant, are constantly looking to those municipal improvements that are expensive, but that must be made iu a modern growing city like Washington. While all this is true, nevertheless the fact that Washington is governed by congress and that the citizens are not responsible and have no direct control through popular election in District matters properly subjects the government to inquiry and criticism by its citizens.

manifested through the public press and otherwise, such criticism should command the careful attention of congress. Washington is the capital of the nation, and its maintenance as a great and beautiful city under national control every lover of his country has much at heart, and it should present in every way a model in respect of economy of expenditure, of sanitation, of tenement reform, of thorough public instruction, of the proper regulation of public utilities, of sensible and extended charities, of the proper care of criminals and of youth needing reform, of healthful playgrounds and opportunity for popular recreation and of a beautiful system of parks. I am glad to think that progress Is being made in all these directions, but I venture to point out certain specific improvements toward these ends which congress in its wisdom might adopt. Speaking generally, I think there ought to be more concentration of authority in respect to the accomplishment of some of these purposes with more economy of expenditure. Public Parks. Attention Is invited to the peculiar situation existing in regard to the parks of Washington. The park system proper, comprising some 343 different areas, is under the office of public buildings and grounds, which, however, has nothing to do with the control of Rock Creek park, the zoological park, the grounds of the department of agriculture, the botanic garden, the grounds of the capitol and other public grounds which are regularly open to the public and ought to be part of the park system. Exclusive of the grounds of the Soldiers home and of Washington barracks, the public grounds used as parks in the District of Columbia comprise over 3.100 acres, under ten different controlling officials or bodies. This division of Ju risdiction is most unfortunate. Large sums of money are spent yearly in beautifying and keeping In good condition these parks and the grounds connected with government buildings and institutions. The work done on all of them is of the same general character work for which the office of public buildings and grounds has been provided by congress with a special organization and equipment, which are lacking for the grounds not under that office. There can be no doubt that if all work of care and Im provement upon the grounds belonging to the United States in the District of Columbia were put as far as possible under one responsible head the result would be not only greater efficiency and economy in the work itself, but greater harmony in the development of the public parks and gardens of the city. Congress at its last session provided for two more parks, called the Meridian Hill and Montrose parks, and the District Commissioners have also Included in their estimates a sum to be used for the acquisition of much needed park land adjoining the zoological park, known as the Klinglo Ford tract. The expense of these three parks, included in the estimates of the commissioners, aggregates $900,000. I think it would lead to economy if the improvement and care of all these parks and other public grounds above described should be transferred to the office of public buildings and grounds, which has an equipment well and economically adapted to carrying out the public purpose in respect to improvements of this kind. To prevent encroachments upon the park area It is recommended that the erection of any permanent structure on any lands in the District of Columbia belonging to the United States be prohibited except by specific authority of congress. The District of Columbia In Virginia. I have already in previous communications to congress referred to the Importance of acquiring for the District of Columbia at least a part of the territory on the other side of the Potomac in Virginia, which was originally granted for the District by the state of Virginia and then was retroceded by act of congress in 1846. It is very evident from conferences that I have had with the senators and representatives from Virginia that there is no hope of a regranting by the state of the land thus given back, and I am frank to say that in so far as the tract includes the town of Alexandria and land remote from the Potomac river there would be no particular advantage in bringing that within national control. But the land which lies along the Potomac river above the railroad bridge and across the Potomac, including Arlington cemetery, Fort Myer, the government experiment farm, the village of Rosslyn and the Palisades of the Potomac, reaching to where the old District line intersects the river, is very sparsely settled and could be admirably utilized for Increasing the system of the parks of Washington. It has been suggested to me by the same Virginia senators and representatives that if the government were to acquire for a government park the land above described, which is not of very great value, the present law of Virginia would itself work the creation of .federal jurisdiction over it, and If

111 . V that were not complete enough the legislature of Virginia would in all proba

bility so enlarge the jurisdiction aa to enable congress to include it within the control of the government of the District of Columbia and actually make it a part of Washington. I earnestly recommend that steps be taken to carry out this plan. Public Utilities. There are a sufficient number of corporations enjoying the use of public utilities in the District of Columbia to justify and require the enactment of a law providing for their supervision and regulation in the public interest consistent with the vested rights secured to them by their charters. A. part of these corporations to wit. the street railways have been put under the control of the interstate commerce commission, but that commission recommends that the power be taken from it and intimates broadly that Its other and more important duties make it Impossible for it to give the requisite supervision. It seems to me wise to place this general power of supervision and regulation in the District commissioners, it is said that their present duties are now absorbing and would prevent the proper discharge by them of these new functions, but their present jurisdiction brings them so closely and frequently in contact with these corporations and makes them to know In such detail how the corporations are discharging their duties under the lawand how they are serving the public interest that the commissioners are peculiarly fitted to do this work, and I hope that congress will Impose It upon them by intrusting them with powers in respect to such corporations similar to those of the public utilities commission of New York city or similar boards) in Massachusetts. 8chool System. I do not think the present control of the school system of Washington com-. mends itself as the most efficient and economical and thorough instrument for the carrying on of public lnatruc-' tlon. The cost, of education In the District of Columbia is excessive aa compared with the cost in other cities of similar size, and it is not apparent tbat the results are in general more satisfactory. The average cost per pupil per day in Washington la about 38 cents, while the average cost in thirteen other American cities fairly comparable with Washington in population and standard of education is about 25.5 cents. For each dollar spent In salaries of schoolteachers and officers In the District about 4.4 days of Instruction per pupil are given, while In the thirteen cities above referred to each dollar expended for salaries affords on the average 6.8 days of Instruction. For the current fiscal year the estimates of the' board of education amounted to about three-quarters of the entire revenue locally collected for District purposes, j If I may say so, there seems to be a lack of definite plan tn the expansion of the school system and the erection of new buildings and of proper economy in the use of these buildings tbat indicates the necessity for the concen-J tration of control. All plans for improvement and expansion in the school system are with the school board.' while the limitation of expenses Is with the District commissioners. I think it would be much better to put complete control and responsibility in the District commissioners and then provide a board of school visitors, to. be appointed by the supreme court of the District or by the president from the different school districts of Washington, who, representing local needs, shall meet and make recommendations to the commissioners and to the super-' intendent of education, an educator of ability and experience who should be an appointee of and responsible to the) District commissioners. Permanent Improvements. Among other items for permanent improvements appearing in the district estimates for 1912 is one designed to substitute for Willow Tree alley, notorious in the records of the police and health departments, a playground with a building containing baths, a gymna-j slum and other helpful features, and I hope congress will approve this estimate. Fair as Washington seems with, her beautiful streets and shade trees' and free as the expanse of territory which she occupies would seem to make her from slums and Insanitary! congestion of population, there are ters In the Interior of squares where) the very poor and the criminal classes) as well huddle together in filth, and' noisome surroundings, and it la of primary importance that these nuclei of disease and suffering and rice) should be removed and that there should be substituted for them small parks as breathing spaces and model tenements having sufficient air space and meeting other hygienic requirements. The estimate for the reform of Willow Tree alley, the worst of these places in the city, is the beginning of a movement tbat ought to attract the earnest attention and support of congress, for congress cannot escape its responsibility for the existence of these human pestholes. ' The estimates for the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 1912 provide for the repayment to the United States of $616,000, one-fourth of the floating debt that will remain ou June 30, 1911. The bonded debt will be reduced in 1912 by about the same amount. -" The District of Columbia Is now la an excellent financial condition. Its own share of indebtedness will. It Is estimated, be less than $6,000,000 on June 30, 1912, as compared with about $9,000,000 on June 30, 1900. The bonded debt, owed half and half by the United States and the District, will be extinguished by 1924 and the floating debt of the District probably long before that time. The revenues have doubled in the last ten years, while the population during the same period has increased but 18.78 per cent It Is believed that if due economy be practiced the District can soon emerge from debt, even while financing Its permanent Improvements with reasonable rapidity from current revenues. -'i?To t his end I recommend the enactment into law of a bill now before congress, known as the Judson bin. which will Insure the ? gradual ex tinguishment of G District's debt

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