Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-05

a DEl y, lo00
the methods OF raising revenue: and the
shock and strain to the business world cers
tain to attend any serious change in these
methods render such change inadvisable
unless for grave reason. II 10 not possible
to lay down any general rule by which 10
determine the moment when the reasons
for will outweigh the reasons against such
change. Much must depend, not merely
on the needs. but on the desires. OF the peo-
pie as whole; for needs and desires are
not necessarily Identical, OF course. no
change can be made on lines beneficial to.
or desired by. one section or one state only.
There must be something like general
agreement among the citizens of the several
states. rs represented In the Congress, that
the change IL needed and desired In the In
terest of the people as a whole; and there
should then be sincere. Intelligent and
disinterested effort to make II In such shape
as VIII combine. SO far as possible, the
maximum of good to the people at large
with the minimum Of necessary disregard
for the special interests of localities or
classes. But in time of peace the revenue
must on the average, taking a series of
years together, equal the expenditures or
else the revenues must be increased Last
year there was a deficit Unless our ex-
penditures can be kept within the revenues
then our revenue laws must be readjusted.
1t Is as yet too early to attempt to outline
what shape such a readjustment should
take. for 1t Is as yet too early to say
whether there will be need for It. 1t should
be considered whether It Is not desirable
that the tariff laws should provide for APP
plying as against or In favor OF any other
nation maximum and minimum tariff rates
established by the Congress. SO as to secure
a certain reciprocity of treatment between
other nations and ourselves Having in
view even larger considerations of policy
than those of a purely economic nature. It
L. s,,I- - -.
to bring about closer commercial connec-
lions with the other peoples Of this conti-
nent. / am happy to be able to announce
to you that Russia now treats us the
INSTRUMENTATION basis.
Economy in Expenditures
I earnestly recommend to the Congress the
need of economy and to this end of rigid
scrutiny of appropriations. AS examples
merely call your attention to one or two
specific matters. All unnecessary Offices
should be abolished. The commissioner of
the general land office recommends the
adjustment Of the Office of receiver Of pub
lie moneys for United States land offices.
This will effect saving of about a quarter
of million dollars year. AS the bust
ness of the nation grows 1t Is inevitable
that there should be from time to time a
legitimate increase In the number of Off
Gals, and this fact renders 1t all the more
important that when offices become unnec-
essary they should be abolished. In the
public printing also large saving OF pub
lie money can be made. There Is con-
stantly growing tendency to publish masses
of unimportant information. 1t is prob
ably not unfair to say that many tens of
thousands of volumes are published at
which no human being ever looks and FOR
which there Is no real demand whatever.
Yet, in speaking of economy, l must in
no wise be understood as advocating the
false economy which Is In the end the worst
D%,~nxy nrrrv1 IN a
for instance, would be crime against the
nation. To fail to push forward all work
on the Panama canal would be as great
folly.
Currency.
In my message of December ., 1902, to the
Congress said:
Interest rates are a potent factor in bust
ness activity. and in order that these rates
may be equalized to meet the varying needs
of the seasons and of widely separated COM
munities, and to prevent the recurrence of
financial stringencies which fnjuriously af-
feet legitimate business, 1t Is necessary that
there should be an element of elasticity in
our monetary system. Banks are the natu-
raj servants of commerce, and upon them
should be placed. as far as practicable, the
burden of furnishing and maintaining
circulation adequate to supply the needs of
our diversified industries and Of our domes
tic and foreign commerce.; and the issue of
this should be so regulated that sufficient
supply should be always available for the
business interests of the country
Every considera ton of prudence demands
the addition of the element of elasticity
to our currency system. The evil does not
consist in an INADEQUATE volume of money
but in the rigidity of this volume, which
does not respond as it should to the vary
ing needs of communities and of easons.
Initiation must be avoided, but some pro-
vision should be made that Will insure
larger volume of money during the fall and
winter months than in the less active sea-
sons of the year, so that the currency will
contract against speculation and will ex-
pand for the needs of legitimate business
At present the Treasury Department is at
iIregularly recurring intervals obliged in
the interest of the business world-that is
in the interests of the American public-to
try to avert financial crises by providing a
remedy which should be provided by con-
gressional action.
Business Methods in Departments.
At various times 1 have instituted inves-
LEGATIONS into the organization and conduct
of the business of the executive depart
ments While none of these inquiries have
yet progressed far enough to warrant final
conclusions, they have already confirmed
and emphasized the general impression that
the organization of the departments Is often
faulty in principle and wasteful in results
while many of their business methods are
dulIuudteO anu leUlclenI. Ihere Is eyery
reason why our executive governmental ma
chinery should be at least as we'll planned
economical and efficient as the best ma
chinery of the great business organizat tons.
which at present is not the case. To make
1t so is task of complex detail and essen
TALLY executive in its nature; probably no
legislative body, no matter how wise and
able, could undertake 1t with reasonable
prospect of success. 1 recommend that the
Congress consider this subject with a view
to provide by legislation for the transfer.
distribution, consolidation and assignment
o. duties and executive organizations or
parts of organizations, and for the changes
In business methods. within or between the
several departments, that will best promote
the economy, efficiency and high character
of the government work.
Federal Elections.
In my last annual message said:
THE power of the government to protect
the integrity of the elections of its own
officials is inherent and has been recognized
and affirmed by repeated declarations of
the Supreme Court. There is no enemy of
free government more dangerous and none
SO insidious as the corruption of the cleo
torate. No one defends or excuses corrun
ton, and it would seem to follow that mona
would oppose vigorous measures to eradi
cate il. L recommend he