The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1910-12-09


mercial nations recognize the impor-
tance Of this factor The greatest
comm scrcial nations, our competitors,
jealously foster their merchant marine.
/ alluded to this most important
subject in my last annual message. 1t
has often been before you, and need
not recapitulate the reasons for its
recommendation. Unless prompt ac-
ton be taken the completion of the
Panama canal will find this the only
great commercial nation unable, to
avail In international maritime bust.
ness of this great contribution to the
means of the worlds commercial inter-
course.
For many reasons 1 cannot too
strongly urge upon congress the pass
age of a measure by mail subsidy or
other subvention adequate to guaran-
tee the establishment and rapid devel.
opment Of an American merchant ma.
rine, the restoration of the American
flag to it's ancient place upon the seas.
Estimates for Next Years Expenses.
The final estimates for the year end
ing June 80, 1912, as they have been
sent to the treasury on Nov. 20 of this
year for the ordinary expenses of the
government, including those for pub
lie buildings, rivers and harbors and
!, the navy building program, amount to
$500, ,494, 4,013.12. This is $52,964.8S7.36
less than the appropriations for the
|! fiscal, Year ending June 80, 1911. 1t IS
$f6, ,S83,153.44s less than the total esti.
mates, including supplemental estlI
mates submitted to- congress by the
treasury for the year, 1911, and is S..
674,659 49, les than the original esti;
mates submitted by the treasury for
1911. !, ~ 80 r u - z p ETss
These figures do not include the ap.
preparations for the Panama canal, the
policy in respect to which ought to be
and is to spend as much each year as
can be economically and effectively ex'
pended in order 10 complete the canal
as promptly as possible, and there
fore the ordinary motive for cutting
down the expense: Of the government
does not apply to appropriations for
this purpose. II will be noted that the
estimates for the Panama canal for
the ensuing year are more than $56,
100000, an increase or |$20, ,000, 900
over the amount appropriated for this
year, difference due to the fact that
the estimates for 1919 include some
thing over $19,0oO,00O FOR the fortifica-
tion of the canal.
Against the estimates of expendi-
lures, $500, ,494,013.12, we have esti-
mated receipts for next year $780,
100000, making probable surplus of
ordinary receipts over ordinary ex-
penditures of about $50,000,000, or,
taking into account the estimates for
the Panama canal, which are $56, $780,
847.69 and which will ultimately be
paid in bonds, it will leave deficit
for the next year of about $7,000,00O
If congress shall conclude to fortify the
canal The cost of the Notifications
is about $19,OOO,0OO. Should there be
no appropriations this year for fortifi.
cations then there would be, even in
cluding the Panama canal appropria.
tion, a surplus OF about $12,000,000.
It is not essential to the preventing
Of smuggling that customs districts
should be increased in number. The
violation OF the customs laws can be
quite as easily prevented and much
more economically by the revenue cut
ter service and by the use Of the spe-
cial agent travelling force of the treas.
ury department. -
Very great improvements have been
made in respect to the mints and as
say offices. Diminished appropriations
have been asked for those whose con.
tinuanoe is necessary, and this
years estimate of expenses is $326, 600
less than two years age.
In the bureau OF engraving and
printing great economies have been
effected. Useless divisions have been
abolished, with the result Of saving
$4,000 this year in the total ex-
penses of the bureau despite increased
business. n.
Revenues.
AS the treasury department is the
one through which the income of the
government is collected and its expen-
ditures are disbursed this seems a
proper place to consider the operation
of the existing tariff bill, which be.
came law Aug 6, 1910. AS an. in
come producing measure the existing
tariff bill has never been exceeded by
any customs bill.
The corporation excise tax, proper
toned to the net income of every bust
ness corporation in the country, has
worked we'll. The tax has been easily
collected. It's prompt payment indi-
Gates that the incident Of the tax has
not been heavy. It offers, moreover,
an opportunity for knowledge by the
government of the general condition
and business of all corporations, and
that means by far the most important
part of the business of the country. In
the original act provision was made
for the publication Of returns. This
provision was subsequently amended
BY congress and the matter left to the
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