The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-12-08
TAFT'S MESSAGE 5 |
UP TO CONGRESS
President Breaks Record For
Length Of Document
DEFENDS PAYNE TARIFF ACT,

Deals With Panama Canal, Postal Saw
ings Bank, Parcels Post and conser-
vation-Asks For Raise Of Judicial
Salaries-Reeommen For Fit
ting Honor For Peary.
Washington. Dec. 6.-The president
sent the following message to congress
today:
TO the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatiyes:
During the past year the foreign re-
lations OF the United States have con
tlnued upon. n basis of friendship and
good understanding.
The year has been notable as wit
Messing the pacific settlement of two
important international controversies
before the permanent court of The
| Hague
The arbitration OF the fisheries dis
pute between the United States and
Great Britain. which has been the
source OF nearly continuous diplomatic
correspondence since the fisheries con.
ventiOn OF 1918. has given an award
which is satisfactory to both parties
Tariff Negotiations.
The new tariff law In section re
specting the maximum and minimum
tariffs Of the United States. which pro
visions came into effect on April |.
1910. imposed upon the president the
responsibility OF determining prior 10
that date whether or not any undue
discrimination existed against the
/ United States and its products In any
country of the world with which W.
sustained commercial relations
The policy Of broader and closer
trade relations with the Dominion Of
Canada which was initiated in the adj
justment Of the maximum and mini
mum provisions of the tariff act Of
August. 1909. has proved mutually ben
ehcial II justltleS further efforts for
the reimbursement Of the commercial
relations of the two countries so that
their commerce may follow the chan
nels natural to contiguous countries
and be commensurate with the steady
expansion Of trade and industry on
both sides ~ the boundary line
sip Subsidy
An fundamentally Indispensable 20
the unhampered aud natural develop
ment OF American commerce Is mer
chant marine. All maritime and com
merclal nations recognize the inpor
lance of this factor. The greatest cofu
merclal nations. our competitors. zeal
ously foster their merchant marine.
| alluded TO this most Important sub
iect In my last annual message II has
often been before you. ana need not
recapitulate the reasons for it, recon
mendatlon. Unless prompt action be
taken the completion Of the Panama
canal will find this the only great com
merclal nation unable TO avail in inter
national maritime business Of this great
contribution TO the means Of the worlds
commercial Intercourse
For many reasons l cannot too strong
ly urge upon the congress the passag'
of a measure by mail subsidy or otheI
subvention adequate TO guarantee the
establishment and rapid development
Of an American merchant marine. tht
restoration of the American flag TO IL
ancient place upon the seas.
Estimates For Next Years Expenses.
The final estimates fer the year end
ing June 30, 1912, as they have beer
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 anC
the navy building program, amount Il
$500. ,O13.12 This is $52,964.SS7 81
less than the appropriations for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1911 1t is
/ SIG, 1888. 1874 less than the total est
mates, including supplemental est
mates submitted TO congress by the
treasury for the year 1911. and is So.
574.659.39 less than the original est
mates submitted by the treasury fol
1911.
These figures do not include the ap
propriations for the Panama canal.
Against the estimates OF expendl-
lures, $630.404013.12. we have esti-
mated receipts for next year $780,
100000, making a probable surplus Of
ordinary receipts over ordinary ex-
pendltures Of about S50,000O00, or,
taking into account the estimates for
the Panama canal. which are $4,000
S47.69 and which will ultimately be
paid in bonds, 1t will leave a deficit
for the next year Of about $7O00,O00
If congress shall conclude to fortify the
canal. The cost of the Notifications
is about $19,0O0,000. Should there be
no appropriations this year for FORTH
cations then there would be. even in
Guiding the Panama canal approprla-
ton. a surplus of about S12,OOO,000
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 a
proper place to consider the operation
Of the existing tariff bill. which be-
came law Aug G. 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