The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-03-04
WILLIAM H. TAFT
ISNOW PRESIDENT
Continued From Page -

ton viii permit II Is not that th'
tariff is more important in the Ions
run than the perfecting Of the reforms
in respect to anti-trust legislation
and interstate commerce regulation
but the need for action when the re
vision Of the tariff has been determin
ed upon, is more immediate to avoid
embarrassment of business. To secure
the needed speed in the passage Of the
tariff bin, it you'd seem wise to at
tempt no other legislation at the extra
session. venture this as a suggestion
only, for the course to be taken by con.
gress, upon the call Of the executive
is wholly within its discretion.
In the making Of tariff bill, the
prime motive is taxation, and the Sc
curing thereby OF revenue. Due
largely to the business depression
which followed the financial panic of
1907, the revenue from customs and
other sources has decreased to such
an extent that the expenditures for
the current fiscal year viii exceed the
receipts by S1O.O0ODOO. 1t is impera-
tive that such a deficit shall not con
tinue, and the farmers OF the tariff
bill must Of course have in mind the
total revenues likely to be produced
by IL, and so arrange the duties as to
secure an adequate income Should
it be impossible TO do so by import
duties, new kinds Of taxation must be
adopted and among these ! recon-
mend a graduated inheritance tax. as
correct IN principle and as certain and
easy of collection.
the obligation on the part of those
for the expenditures made
TO carry on the government, TO be as
economical as possible, and to make
the burden of taxation as light as pos
sible. is plain and should be affirmed
in every declaration OF government
policy. This is especially true when
we are face to face with a heavy de-
ficit But when the desire to win the
popular approval leads to the cutting
Of of expenditures really needed TO
make the government effective, and
10 enable It to accomplish its proper
objects. the result Is as much to be.
as the waste of govern
ment funds in unnecessary expendi-
.ure. The scope of modern govern
nent is what IL can and ought to ac-
,omplish for its people has been wild
lned far beyond the principles laid
Town by the old laissez faire school
If political writer's. and this widening
las met popular approval.
In the department of agriculture, the
lse Of scientific experiments on a |
arge scale. and the spread Of infor-
nation derived from them for the inn
of general agriculture,
must go on.
The Importance OF supervising bust
ess Of great railways and industrial
and the necessary inves-
lgation and prosecution of unlawful
usiness methods. are another neces-
airy tax upon government which did
ot exist half century ago.
The putting into force OF laws which
hall secure the conservation of our
esources, so far as they may be with
n the Jurisdiction OF the federal gov
rnment, including the most important
york OF saving and restoring our for
SITS. and the great Improvement OF
are all proper government
unctions which must involve large ex
,enditure If properly performed.
While some of them. like the reclaim
ltion OF arid lands. are made to pay
or themselves others are TO such in
lirect benefit that this cannot be ex-
,ected of them. A permanent improve.
nent, like the Panama canal, should
,e treated as a distinct enterprise. and
mould be paid for by the proceeds of
,onds, the issue OF which will dis
ribute its cost between the present
md future generations in accordance
With the benefits derived 1t may well
,e submitted to the serious consider
ltion of congress whether the deep
ming and control OF the channel of
yreat river system. like trat of the
)hio or Of the Mississippi, when de-
mite and practical plans for the en-
erprise have been approved and de
ermined upon. should not be provided
or In the same way
Then. too. there are expenditures of
government absolutely necessary If
iur country is to maintain its proper
,lace among the nations Of the world,
md is to exercise its proper influence
n defense OF its own trade interests,
n the maintanence of traditional
american policy against the colonial
ion OF European monarchies in this
i