Civil service commission.

The work of the United States Civil Service Commission has been performed to the general satisfaction of the executive officers with whom the Commission has been brought into official communication.  The volume of that work and its variety and extent have under new laws, such as the Census Act, and new Executive orders, greatly increased.  The activities of the Commission required by the statutes have reached to every portion of the public domain.

The accommodations of the Commission are most inadequate for its needs.  I call your attention to its request for increase in those accommodations as will appear from the annual report for this year.

Political contributions.

I urgently recommend to Congress that a law be passed requiring that candidates in elections of Members of the House of Representatives, and committees in charge of their candidacy and campaign, file in a proper office of the United States Government a statement of the contributions received and of the expenditures incurred in the campaign for such elections and that similar legislation be enacted in respect to all other elections which are constitutionally within the control of Congress.

Freedman’s savings and trust company.

Recommendations have been made by my predecessors that Congress appropriate a sufficient sum to pay the balance—­about 38 per cent.—­of the amounts due depositors in the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company.  I renew this recommendation, and advise also that a proper limitation be prescribed fixing a period within which the claims may be presented, that assigned claims be not recognized, and that a limit be imposed on the amount of fees collectible for services in presenting such claims.

Semi-centennial of negro freedom.

The year 1913 will mark the fiftieth anniversary of the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation granting freedom to the negroes.  It seems fitting that this event should be properly celebrated.  Already a movement has been started by prominent Negroes, encouraged by prominent white people and the press.  The South especially is manifesting its interest in this movement.

It is suggested that a proper form of celebration would be an exposition to show the progress the Negroes have made, not only during their period of freedom, but also from the time of their coming to this country.

I heartily indorse this proposal, and request that the Executive be authorized to appoint a preliminary commission of not more than seven persons to consider carefully whether or not it is wise to hold such an exposition, and if so, to outline a plan for the enterprise.  I further recommend that such preliminary commission serve without salary, except as to their actual expenses, and that an appropriation be made to meet such expenses.  Conclusion.