I concur in these reasons, and I am of the opinion that such works as may be erected for the defense of the canal should be completed, occupied, and ready for operation at the time that the canal itself shall be completed and opened to the passage of vessels.

I am encouraged to believe that this date will certainly not be later than the one which has hereto been fixed, namely, January 1, 1915.

I have directed the Secretary of Commerce and Labor and the Secretary of the Treasury to forward an estimate for the appropriation here recommended, in accordance with the procedure provided by law.

Were there a bureau of public health such as I have already recommended, the matter could be taken up by that bureau.

I respectfully request an appropriation of $50,000 for the purpose of erecting one or more laboratories at suitable places and to provide for the proper personnel and maintenance of these laboratories.

The very great importance of pursuing the investigation into the cause of cancer can not be brought home to the Congress or to the public more acutely than by inviting attention to the memorandum of Doctor Gaylord herewith.

I am glad to say that negotiations under that clause are now substantially completed with all the nations of the world with results that are satisfactory;

I have therefore appointed a Tariff Board consisting of three members and have directed them to perform all the duties above described.

Nothing, however, halts business and interferes with the course of prosperity so much as the threatened revision of the tariff, and until the facts are at hand, after careful and deliberate investigation, upon which such revision can properly be undertaken, it seems to me unwise to attempt it.

I believe that the work of this board will be of prime utility and importance whenever Congress shall deem it wise again to readjust the customs duties.

If the facts secured by the Tariff Board are of such a character as to show generally that the rates of duties imposed by the present tariff law are excessive under the principles of protection as described in the platform of the successful party at the late election, I shall not hesitate to invite the attention of Congress to this fact and to the necessity for action predicated thereon.