PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2055, 5 December 1907, Page 2

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.

A NUMBER OF SURPRISES. United Press Association—Copyright (Received Dec. ft, 9.57 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. President Roosevelt’s message to Congress occupied three hours in reading. Jit consisted of 63 images, tlie longest on record, and dealt with 50 subjects, in which were a few surprises. The message does not oppose railway “pooling,” but recommends the suspension of Trust companies, the same as hanks, and the forbidding of monopolies and trading at a loss in order to crush competition. It urges the Federal control of initer-iStia-te business and tlie establishment of an emergency currency, to be issued under a heavy tax; the establishment of post--offices and savings banks.; graduated income inheritance taxes; the ex; tension of t-lie Ocean Mail Act, 1891, to enable the Postmaster to devote the present profit of 3j million dollars made on the mail service abroad, to mail services to South. America, Asia, Philippines, and .Australia, at tlie rate of four dollars per mile to 10-knot steamships. It urges, also, that the workmen’s compensation law should be brought up to the standard of European oountries. UNITED STATES COMMITTED T,O PROTECTION. ARMY AND NAVY SHOULD BE IMPROVED. FRIENDLY REFERENCE TO JAPAN. (Received Dec. 5, 0.46 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 4-. President Roosevelt affirms that the United States is definite!}- committed to protection, but that the tariff ought to he revised periodically to prevent excessive or improper benefits being conferred. He adds that the best time for the revision is after the Presidential election. ;He recommends a larger army and four of the largest type of battleships this year, also the construction of defensive works and coaling stations iu the Pacific, which would make America’s coastline equal with that on the Atlantic. He hopes that until the Panama canal is opened the Battle fleet will shift from one ocean to the other every year or two. He dwells on tlie educational value of Admiral Evans’s cruise. 'The President anticipates in terms of warm friendliness America’s participation in the Tokio Exhibition, but doe’s not mention the question of immigration. CRITICISM ON FINANCIAL MATTERS. FINANCIERS DISAPPOINTED. “ASKING FOR BREAD AND RECEIVING A TRACI'.” (Received Dec. 5, 0.46 a.m.) LONDON, Deo. 4. The Times says that President Roosevelt has said nothing to suggest a way for real banking reform. The New York correspondent of the Times describes the disappointment of leading bankers and financiers. The Financial News says that Mr. Roosevelt’s message is valueless. The Financial Times declares that in a time of crisis it is like a man asking for bread and being given a tract.