The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-12-07

NO appropriations this year 10I IoItn-
cations then there would be, even In
GLIDING the Panama canal appropria-
tion, a surplus Of about $12.0O0.OOO.
1t is not essential to the preventing
Of smuggling that customs disulcu
should be increased In number. The
violation Of the customs laws can DO
quite n easily prevented and mucn
! 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 $S26.OOO
less than two years ago.
In the bureau Of engraving ana
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.
Public Buildings.
In our public buildings We still suffer
from the method Of appropriation
which has been 30 much criticised In
connection with our rivers and har-
! bors. Some method should be devised
for controlling the supply Of public
buildings 50 that they will harmonic
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 q
proper place to consider the operation
Of the existing tariff bill. which be-
came q 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.
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. It's prompt payment indi-
Gates that the incidence Of the tax has
not been heavy. 1t 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
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 d.
rected the issue Of the needed regula-
tions and have made 1t 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 corporate 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
ton is relevant and competent evil
dence.
Tho Payne Tariff Act.
The schedules of the rates Of duty
in the Payne tariff act have been sub
jected to great deal Of criticism,
some Of 1t just. more of it unfounded,
| 70 hn
act was adopted in pursuance Of q
declaration by the party which is re.
spOnsible for it that 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 AZ
t!cle abroad and the cost Of producing
1t at home. together with such add
ton to that difference as might give
a reasonable profit to the home pro
Queer
The basis for the criticism Of this
tariff is that in respect to number
Of the schedules the declared measure
was not followed. but 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 beer
based on the charge that the attempt
to conform to the measure of protec
ton was not honestly and sincerely ad
hered to.
Tariff Board.
The time in which the tariff was pre-
pared undoubtedly was so short as Il
make it impossible for the congress.
and its experts to acquire the informa
ton necessary strictly to conform t.
the declared measure. In order to avoit
criticism Of this kind in the future an(
for the purpose Of more nearly conform
ing to the party promise congress at it:
: last session made provision at my re
quest for the continuance Of board ere
ated under the authority Of the maxi