The experiment in tolls to be made by the President would doubtless disclose how great a burden of tolls the coastwise trade between the Atlantic and the Pacific coast could bear without preventing its usefulness in competition with the…

One of the chief reasons for building the canal was to set up this competition and to bring the two shores closer together as a practical trade problem.

I do not think this is the best principle, because I believe that the cost of such a Government work as the Panama Canal ought to be imposed gradually but certainly upon the trade which it creates and makes possible.

I also join in the recommendation that the legislature of the Philippine Islands be authorized to provide for the naturalization of Filipinos and others who by the present law are treated as aliens, so as to enable them to become citizens…

I wish to urge that whenever a project has been adopted by Congress as one to be completed, the more money which can be economically expended in its construction in each year, the greater the ultimate economy.

It seems to me that an increase in the amount of money now being annually expended in the improvement of the Ohio River which has been formally adopted by Congress would be in the interest of the public.

The project for a navigable waterway from Lake Michigan to the mouth of the Illinois River, and thence via the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, is one of national importance.

The amount of the awards ought, as a matter of good faith on the part of the Government, to be paid.

In promotion of the movement for the prevention of delay and unnecessary cost, in litigation, I am glad to say that the Supreme Court has taken steps to reform the present equity rules of the Federal courts, and that we may in the near…

Steps should be taken immediately for the establishment of a rural parcel post.

Instead of doing this, I think the change will greatly increase business for the benefit of all.

The reduction in the cost of living it will bring about ought to make its coming certain.

I urge upon Congress the necessity for an immediate increase of 2,000 men in the enlisted strength of the Navy, provided for in the estimates.

The measure of economy contained in a proper handling of this subject is so great and so important to the interests of the Nation that I shall present it to Congress as a separate subject apart from my annual message.

Concentration of the necessary work for naval vessels in a few navy yards on each coast is a vital necessity if proper economy in Government expenditures is to be attained.

I urge again upon Congress the desirability of establishing the council of national defense.

After considerable reflection, I am very much opposed to a pension system that involves no contribution from the employees.

I think the experience of other governments justifies this view; but the crying necessity for some such contributory system, with possibly a preliminary governmental outlay, in order to cover the initial cost and to set the system going at…

Nothing will so much promote the economy and efficiency of the Government as such a system.

I am confident that such a change would greatly reduce the cost of administering the Government, and that it would add greatly to its efficiency.

Such a course will be as cruel to those people as it would be shameful to us.

A present declaration even of future independence would retard progress by the dissension and disorder it would arouse.

On our part it would be a disingenuous attempt, under the guise of conferring a benefit on them, to relieve ourselves from the heavy and difficult burden which thus far we have been bravely and consistently sustaining.

It would make the helpless Filipino the football of oriental politics, tinder the protection of a guaranty of their independence, which we would be powerless to enforce.

I believe this to be one of the most important matters of internal improvement now confronting the Government.