Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-12-08

the navy building program, amount to
SdJo,49 0iB,i9. Fhis IL SB2. 1904. $3.50
less than the appropriation for the
fiscal year ending June 90, 1911. II is
SlO,SS3, 1894 less than the totai esti.
mates, including supplemental esti-
mates submitted to congress By the
treasury for the year 1911, and h s5,-
b74.65D.B9 less than the original esti-
mates submitted by the treasury for
wi.
These figures do not include the an.
propriatiens for the Panama canal. the
policy In respect TO which ousht 10 he
and Is to spend a. much each yesr as
can be economically and effectively En-
pended In order to complete the canal
rs promptly ms possible, and there
fore the ordinary metive for cutting
down the expense of the government
does not apply to appropriations for
this purpose. It will be noted that the
estimates for the Panama canal for
the ensuing year are more than $685.
100000, an increase Of &c, 600. 900
over the amount appropriated for this
year. n difference due to the fact that
the estimates for 1912 include some
thing over &1p.OOoO0O for the fortifica-
/ ton of the canal.
Against the estimates of expendi-'
lures. $500 4D4. 0l3.12, we have esli-
nntod receipts for next year sGesI.-
00On making probable surplus Of
ordinary receipts over ordinary OK
pcnditures of about S5O.OO0OOO, or.
| taking into account the estimates for
the Tannma canal. which are S56.p2O.-
a4T Go and which will ultimately he
! pnid In BOMBS, 1t will leave Il deficit
for the next year of about H7.COO.VD
If congress shnll conclude to fortify the
! canal. Tho cost of the Notifications
IL about Sln,0D0,Ou0. Should there he
no appropriations this year for fertli-
cations then there would be. even in
Guiding the Psnama canal approprla-
ton. a surplus OF about $12.OO0,OOO.
1t is not essential 10 the preventing
Of smuggling that customs districts
should he Increased in number. The
! violation of the customs laws can DO
| quito 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-
tnuauco Ia unnecessary, and this
years estimate Of expenses is Sa26 900
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
$4,000 this year In the total eJ-
pelses of tho buroau despite increased
business.
| Revenues.
AS the treasury department is the
one through which the income Of the
government In collected and Its expend-
itures are disbursed this seems Il
proper place TO consider the opera ton
Of the existing tariff bill. which be-
came law Aug 6. 1904. AS an in
tariff bill has never been exceeded by
any customs bill in tho history of the
country.
The corporation excise tax. proper
toned to the net income Of every bust
ness corporation In the country, has
worked we'll. The tax has been easily
collected. It's prompt payment indi-
| kIoA ~ d.
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 for 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 congrnss ana the matter left 70 the
regula ton Of the president have di-
rected the issue Ut tho needed regula-
tons and have made it possible for the
public generally to know from an ex-
animation Of tho record the returns of
all corporations the stock Of which II
listed on my public stock exchange or
Ia offered for rals to the general pub
lie by advertisement or otherwise. The
returns OF those corpora lions whose
stock In not 80 listed or oHsred for
sale are directed to he open 10 the IN
spertion and examination Of creditors
and stockhoadors Of the corp1rn ton
whose record il sought. Tho returns
OF all corporations are subject 70 the
inspection of any government officer OF
10 the examination of any court, in
which the return made by the CORPORA
ton is relevant and compctent evi
dence
The Payne Tariff Act
The schedules Of the rates of duty
in the Payne tariff net have been sub
ioCted to great deal Of criticism
ONE Of II inst. more Of il unfounded
Il 10 much misrepresentation The
was adopted in pursuance OF q
declaration by the party which il rc
Sponsible for 1t that customs bill
should be tariff for the protection
OF home industries, the measure Of the
protection to lie the difference between
the cost Of producing the imported ar
ticle abroad md the cost Of producing
II ut home, together with such add
ton TO that difference as might give
n reasonable profit &c the home pro
Queer.
The basis for the criticism Of thi.