The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-12-06

the ensuing year are more than $685.
100000, an increase of $20,00O,O00
over the amount appropriated for this
year, difference due to the fact that
the estimates for 1912 include some
thing over s19,0OO,OOO for the fortifica-
ton Of the canal
Against the estimates of expendi-
lures, $500, 494 ,O1312, We have esti-
mated receipts for next year $780,
100000, making a 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 $56,920,-
84769 and which will ultimately be
paid in bonds, it will leave deficit
for the next year of about $7,000,000
if congress shall conclude to fortify the
canal The cost of the Notifications
is about $19,OOO,O00. Should there be
no appropriations this year for fortifi-
cations then there would be-, even in
Guiding the Panama canal appropria-
ton, a surplus of about $12,000,000.
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
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 minis and as
say Offices Diminished appropriations
have been asked for those whose con-
tinuance is necessary, and this
years estimate of expenses is $326,000
less than two years ago. d..
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.
AS the treasury department is the
! one through which the income of the
government is collected and it's expen-
ditures are disbursed this seems a
| proper place to consider the operation
of the existing tariff bill, which be-
came a 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
| in hn frv
worked we'll The tax has been easily
collected Its prompt payment indi'
Gates that the incident 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
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. l have di
rected the issue of the needed regula
lions 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 OF
! 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 ordered fol
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 OF
to the examination of any court, in
! which the return made by the corpora
ton is relevant and competent evi
| dence. ~- =. -.
The Payne Tariff Bill.
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 dec
laration by the party which is respon
sible for it that customs bill should
i
| Industries, the measure of the protec
ton to be the difference between the
cost of producing the imported article
abroad and the cost of producing it at
home, together with such addition to
that difference as might give reason
able profit to the home producer.
The basis for the criticism Of this
tariff is that in respect to a 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
been based on the charge that the at
tempt to conform to the measure OF
protection was not honestly and sim
| cerely adhered to.
Tariff Board.
The time in which the tariff was
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