The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-19

of 1909, the actual receipts and dis
bursements for the first nine and one
half months being available the figures
for the remaining two and one-haf
results and indicate receipts for the
year Of $500, O47, 230. The figures show an
estimated deficit of s69.462.450.
For the year 1910 the appropriations
have already been made and the amount
which will be expended can be foretold
with approximative accuracy.
I'm making the estimates for these
expenditures. have taken the gross
appropriation for the year $1,044.O 900
and deducted the appropriations for the
postoffice department. sZS5, 900, the
sinking fund $50. 600. the national
bank fund $50 06O, 600 and Panama ca
nal expenses s37, 100000 and have added
the official estimate for the postal de-
ing a probable total of expenditures Of
500. 000. 900.
In Effect Next Year.
IF the pending bill should become
law before the Goth of June next the
customs revenues for the entire fiscal
year of 1910 would be collected under
it's provisions, and the probable result
constitute the crucial point in our in
vestigations.
For the purpose of ascertaining the
relative revenue producing qualities of
the senate bill and the act of 1897, the
statement. which is laid before the
senate today. 1t applies the rates of
the senate bill to the importations of
1907. We have selected 1907 for the
comparison as this was the last year in
which the finances and business of the
country were in a normal condition.
THE statement shows that if the
senate bill had been in force in 1907 the
customs revenue produced by 1t would
have been $S,000O00 greater than those
III ~ "a
tai being $685., 100000 under the act or
1897 and s340 900, 600 under the senate
bill.
This increase of revenue is due to
advances in rates on a few articles of
luxury, such as wine, spirits, etc. 1t Is
also due to the substitution made in
the bill in all cases where it was posi-
BILE of specific for ad valorem duties.
This viii prevent under valuation and
consequently increase revenues
"Other changes will be included al
fecting the comparative revenues.
THE changes we propose to make IN
the administrative act include:
Proposed Changes.
"1-New definition of dutiable value
and new methods in its proper ascer-
tainment; 2-more efficient collectlon
machinery: 3-a provision for the crea-
ton of a customs court to insure uni
fornftv of decisions in customs.
THE extent of under valuations pre-
dicted under existing law Is Varlously
estimated at from 10 to % per cent OF
the revenue collection. If any consld-
cradle portion of this practice is cor
rected by the provisions 1 have alluded
TO We can safely add five millions to the
estimate in 1910, making a total estl-
mate of revenue for 1910 based upon
the importation of 1907, $340, OOO, 0OO /
hsve assumed that the importation or
I 1907 is the proper basis for comparison
We should not lose sight of the fact
that there will be approximately 4,ooV'-
600 of people more in the United states
than before provided for IN 1911 tha i
| in 1907 and If other conditions remain
| the same there will be a natural IN
| crease from this cause. The commit
| fee believes the extent of 1mportatlonS
and resulting revenue VIII De greater
| in 1910 than in 1907 because OF I'M
| proved conditions.
| "Pusiness activity and the movement
for Increased importations has ALREADY
| commenced The customs recelpts LOT
the thirty-nine business days from
March / to April Is. inclusive, 1nclude
/ as compared with the corresponding
davs in 1908 s12.031. 093. OS or an average
daily increase of 1851, so. This IN
| crease seems to be progressive, as the
report for the last day which nave;
April Is. shows receipts from an
| receipts of s1,2SS,321.30 on the cor
! responding day of last year
'"There is no incentive for these en-
| larged importations except improved
| conditions of the country ana reouCeu
stocks of imported merchandise Inc
character of the legislation proposed
furnishes no reason for accelerated I'M
ports. as there are practically no rates
| above the rates imported by the act OF
| 1897 1t must be conceded that the era
of prosperity which commenced the
| first of March is likely TO continue I'M
interrupted with the enactment ol "l0s
tariff legislation.
| Estimates Are Conservative.
| 1.-THE estimates 1 have made OF IN
creased revenues are most CONSERVATIVE
If the same rate of increase Wnlcn h1,
obtained since the first of March shoule
be applied to the eight months of the ms
cal year 1910 not covered oy the perlot
OF improvement in this year we snouie
then have an increase over the recelPl'
for the present fiscal year-say $3.50
OOO, 900 of s54, 4o1 1865, making total o
S349 4O1 900 without taking into accoun
lthe additional sources of revenue pro
lvided for.
For 1911 I have estimated an increas'
of revenue of $40, 00o, 900 and reduction
lof expenditures of $35, 100000, a conse
quent surplus of $3O,OOOO0O.
IF the statements have submltte'
are approximately correct the independ
cnt question arises:
In what way is the treasury to TAX
care of the deficits indicated for tn
present and the following fiscal year
The treasury has today, including
the S74, 6s1, 275.S5 which it is entitled t
receive the reimbursement of canal ex
penditures PRACTICAL $1OO,OOO,OOO
) available surplus over a necessary work
ling balance This surplus is likely t
be reduced S., 0O0, 600 by June so, by ad
ditions to the deficiency for the curren
fiscal year, leaving on that date a
! available surplus of $94, 100000 If my es
Inmates for 1910 are accurate. the esti
mated deficiency of s45.o0o,000 in tina
year would still leave a surplus of $49,
900 nO0 which would he Increased in TIL