The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-12-08

For many reasons cannot too strong.
ly urge upon the congress the passage
Of measure by mail subsidy or other
subvention adequate to guarantee the
establishment aud rapid development
Of an American merchant marine. the
restoration Of the American flag to Its
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 ,O1312. This ia $4,000, 1857 &c
less than the appropriations for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1911. It ia
$16,883, 1894 less than the total esti.
mates, including supplemental esti'
mates submitted to congress by the
treasury for the year 1911, and is S..
574,659.39 less than the original esti.
mates submitted by the treasury fol
1911.
These figures do not include the ap
preparations for the Panama canal the
policy in respect to which ought t, be
and Is to spend as much each year as
can 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 fol
this purpose. 1t will be noted that the
estimates for the Panama canal fol
the ensuing year are more than $685..
100000, an increase of $2O,OOO.0OC
over the amount appropriated for this
year, a difference due to the fact that
the estimates for 1912 include some
thing over $19.OOO.OOO for the fortified.
ton of the canal.
Against the estimates of expendi.
lures, $500. 494, O13.12, we have esti-
mated receipts for next year $780,.
100000, making probable surplus OF
ordinary receipts over ordinary ex.
penditures Of about $50O00.O0O, or
taking into account the estimates fol-
the Panama canal, which are $56, $780,.
S47.69 and which will ultimately be
paid in bonds, it will leave a deficit
for the next year Of about 100000
If congress shall conclude to fortify the
- kIo
is about $19,00O,OOO. Should there be
no appropriations this year for fortif.
cations then there would be, even in.
Guiding the Panama canal apprOprla.
ton, surplus of about $12,0OO,0OO.
1t is not essential to the preventing
of smuggling that customs district
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
Siade 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 1926. OO0
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 ex.
penses of the bureau despite increased
business.
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 8
proper place to consider the operation
Of the existing tariff bill. which be
came 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 we'll. The tax has been easily
collected. Ito 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
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. I 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 offered fol-
sale are directed to be open to the in
sDectiOn and examination Of creditors