The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-12-14

ness OF this great contribution to the
means of the worlds commercial inter
course.
For many reasons l cannot toe
strongly urge upon congress the pass
age of a measure by mail subsidy OF
other s%ubvention 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, O13.12. This is $52,964. 1897. 36
less than the appropriations for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1911. 1t is
$16,S83,153.44 less than the total esti.
mates, including supplemental esti.
mates submitted to congress by the
treasury for the year 1911. and is S..
5~74,659.39 les than the original esti.
mates submitted by the treasury for
1911.
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
a be economically and effectively ex.
pended in order to 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. 1t will be noted that the
estimates for the Panama canal for
the ensuing year are more than $685..
000, 900, an increase of $40, 000, 900
ove the amount appropriated for this
year, a difference due to the fact that
the estimates for 1912 include some.
thing over 19,0OO,O 900 for the fortified.
ton of the canal.
Against the estimates of expendi.
lures, $63O,494, 013.12, we have esti.
mated receipts for next year $780,.
600. 600, making a probable surplus Of
ordinary receipts " ordinary ex.
penditures of. about $50, 200, 900. or.
taking into account the estimates for
the Panama canal. which r $780,.
and which will ultimately be
paid in bonds. 1t will leave a deficit
for the next year of about $7.000,0 900
II congress shall conclude to fortify the
canal. The cost of the Notifications
Is about SIG, 600, 900. Should there be
no appropriations this year for fortifi.
cations then there would be. even in
the Panama canal %appropria-
ton, a surplus of about $12, 0O0, 900.
1t 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
economically by the revenue cut.
ter service and by the use of the spe.
cial agent travelling force of the treas.
lry department.
Very great improvements have been
made in respect to the minis and as.
say Offices. Diminished appropriations
have been asked for those whose con.
.tinuance is necessary, and this
years estimate of expenses is 1926, 900
ess than two years ago.
In the bureau of engraving and
great economies have been
Useless divisions have been
lbolished, with the result of saving
this year in the total ex.
'enses of the bureau despite increased
business.
Revenues.
AS the treasury department is the
ne through which the income Of the
government is collected and it's expen. |
litures are disbursed this seems a
proper place to consider the operation
# the existing tariff bill, which be-.
came a law Aug. 6, 1910. AS an in.
,ome producing measure the existing |
ariff bill has never been exceeded by !
my customs bill.
The corporation excise tax, proper.
Toned to the net income of every bust.
corporation in the country, has
we'll. The tax has been easily
collected. Its prompt payment indi.
that the incident OF the tax has
been heavy. 1t offers. moreover.
IN opportunity for knowledge by the
government of the general condition
and business of all corporations. and
hat means by far the most important
part of the business of the country. In
The original act provision was made
the publication of returns. This
provision was subsequently amended
by congress and the matter left to the
of the president. have di.
the issue of the needed regula.
tons 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
on any public stock exchange or
is offered for sale to the general pub.
lie by advertisement or otherwise The
of those corporations whose
stock is not so listed or ordered for
sale are directed to be open to the in.