Evening journal., 1910-12-06


ton, a surplus Of about S12,0O0,O00.
II 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-
tinuance is unnecessary, and this
years estimate OF expenses is S326,O00
less than two years ago
In the bureau of engraving and
printing great economies have been
effected. Useless divisions have been
abolished, with the result of saving
S4i00OO this year in the total ex-
penses of the bureau despite increased
business.
Public Buildings.
In our public buildings we still suffer
from the method of appropriation
which has been so much criticised in
connection with our rivers and har-
bors. Some method should be devised
for controlling the supply Of public
buildings so that they will harmonize
with the actual needs of the govern
ment.
Revenues.
As the treasury department is the
one through which the income of the
government is collected and its expend-
itures are disbursed this seems
I proper place to consider the operation
Of the eNsting tariff bill, which be
came a law Aug. 6. 1909. AS an in
come producing measure the existing
tariff bill has never been exceeded by
any customs bill in the history Of the
country.
I The corporation excise tax, proper
toned TO the net income of every bust
ness corporation in the country, has
worked well. The tax has been easily
collected. Its prompt payment indi-
Gates that the incidence of the tax has
not been heavy. II 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
regulation Of the president have di-
| rected the issue Of the needed regula-
tions and have made it possible for the
public generally to know from an ex-
animation Of the record the returns of
all corporations the stock Of which Is
listed on any public stock exchange or
is offered for sale to the general pub
lie by advertisement or otherwise. The
returns of those corporations whose
stock is not so listed or offered for
sale are directed to be open to the in
spection and examination of creditors
and stockholders Of the corporation
whose record is sought The returns
of all corporations are subject to the
inspection Of any government officer or
to the examination of any court. in
which the return made by the corpora
tion is relevant and competent evi-
dence.
The Payne Tariff Act.
The schedules Of the rates Of duty
in the Payne tariff act have been sub
jected to a great deal Of criticism,
some Of it just, more of it unfounded
and TO much misrepresentation. The
act was adopted in pursuance of a
declaration by the party which is re-
spOnsible for it that a customs bill
should be a tariff for the protection
of home industries, the measure Of the
protection TO be the difference between
the cost of producing the imported ar
.icle abroad and the cost of producing
it at home. together with such addi-
tion to that difference as might give
a reasonable profit to the home pro
ducer
The basis for the criticism of this
tariff is that in respect to n number
of the schedules the declared measure
was not followed. but a higher differ
ence retained or inserted by way of
undue discrimination in favor of GER
tain industries and manufactures.
Little. If any. of the criticism Of the
tariff has been directed against the
protective principle above stated. but
the main body of the criticism has been
based on the charge that the attempt
TO conform to the measure Of protec-
tion was not honestly and sincerely ad-
hered to.
Tariff Board.
The time in which the tariff was pre-
pared undoubtedly was so short as to
make il impossible for the congress
and its experts to acquire the informa-
tion necessary strictly to conform 10
the declared measure. In order to avoid
criticism of this kind in the future and
for the purpose Of more nearly conform
ing to the party promise congress at its
last session made provision at my re-
quest for the continuance Of a board Gre
ated under the authority of the maxi
mum and minimum clause of the tariff
bill and authorized this board to expend
the money appropriated under my di-
rection for the ascertainment Of the
cost OF production at home and abroad
of the various articles included in the
schedules of the tariff. The tariff
board thus appointed and authorized
has been diligent in preparing itself FOR
the necessary investigations. The hope
Of those who have advocated the use
!