The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-26
he ISN'T SCARED.
Secretary Shaw Talks About the
Treasury Deficit.
Would Worry People as Much
We're 1t a Surplus.
GOSsIPS ABOUT TARIFF
Can't Be Lowered and Have
Revenue Increased.
An Informal Reception at Gov
ernOr's Office.

The fever which some people have
worked themselves into over the deficit
IN Uncle Sans strong box does not
worry Secretary OF the Treasury Leslie
N. Shaw very much. This distinguished
hnancier who is regarded as good
presidential timber was in Topeka for
three hours on Thursday afternoon, the
guest Of Governor Koch, the state Off
GERS and the Topeka Commercial club.
After the hand shaking had lapsed,
which by the way Mr.. Shaw is an
adept at, a Gordon Of newspaper men
hemmed in the famous IOWan, and ask
ed him to talk about tariff revision. Mr..
Shaw talked at considerable length, but
like all public men, is clever in sparring
with the temptation to give out pointed
and definite statements.
THAT question you ought to really
ask of congress- he said. of course I
know why you ask it of me The de-
felt in the national treasury has caused
some excitement, but Just about as
much as a surplus would. Whether the
balance is on the debit or credit side of
the ledger there is always a dUtter Of
hearts, ana a little fever is worked up.
If we are behind the talk commences to
steer towards tariff revision with a
view of getting larger returns-if we
have surplus the talk goes the same
direction, namely that we are getting
in too much money
tinued Mr.. Shaw, Ito the effect that
tariff can be lowered on a good many
articles and greater revenue derived
therefrOm. read a lengthy editorial in
the Washington Post some time ago on
that order"
How is such a thing possible?" was
queried
well. it is not without bad results
was the answer. THE idea was that
of a cOnsummate ass. just wrote that
out of his hat. Suppose, for instance,
you reduce the revenue on chinaWare
plain and decorated. Certainly you
would get a. much greater importation
of 1t in very short while. But
wouldn't that throw out many pottery
or china makers in this country. What
would be the use of adopting such tao
ties
well, then, Mr. Shaw" was said, us
it your idea that the internal tax ought
to be again established2"
THAT is something" he replied quick
ly, laughing, that do not want to
talk about But congress will take care
Of the situation all right. The govern
ment will always pay its debts. It
will always meet its obligations"
Just then Governor HOch stepped up
and said to Mr. Shaw: I'VE think that
we have a very respectable audience
here and the thing for you to do is to
make a talk
mo, no. no." he replied with depre-
eating hands. Il came to hear you
talk"
But just then those nearby set up
abe cry Speech, % Speech" and IOwa's
ex-governor leaned himself up against
a table in a very informal way and re-
gponded
Kansas seems to be prosperous he
said. The country is prosperous. .Ev-
erything seems to be going lovely.
Il have just been talking TO the
newspaper men about tariff revision.
Recently I read in a newspaper that I
was lying awake nights worrying over
she deficit. and that I had instructed
the employees at the White House to
turn OF the gas wherever possible and
thus practice economy. Dust as Mr.
Shaw was launching into a joke on this
story, Dr.. Edwin Locke, Methodist pre-
siding elder for the Topeka district, and
a lifelong friend of Mr.. Shaw. pulled
out his watch). That is right Locke
that is the thing to do said Mr.. Shaw
Il do that myself sometimes when I gC
to church" And the laugh was on The
preacher.
There is nothing alarming about thi.
deficit. A man who gets $3.50 per yea
runs on as even keel as the govern
1nent which runs on $3.50, 100000 a year
one had a deficit of $50 at the end o
the year perhaps, and the other o
$50, 900. 600. Excitement is always causes
by a surplus or a deficit.
Congress last year undertook to b
economical In some places I belieV
that body was unwisely so-in no
making appropriations which it flnall,
will be compelled to make
Il think that in the main we are do
ing very well. There is a little fever il
the body polite but it does not amour
to much. We only get into DANCE
when we lose our hope. That is whel
our troubles come. I see no indication
of alarm. 1 met a good many peopl
during the last 90 DAYS and I see n
symptoms of things going wrong
II am not worrying about that de
ncft." he concluded. "Our capacity 70
reimbursement is unlimited We ca
build an Isthmian canal every /
months and not feel it,"
1dr. Shaw came from Ardmore. I. 7