The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-12-06

ton, a surplus or about SI<,UUJ,vvU.
Ii 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 aud by the use of the spe-
cial agent travelling force of the treas
ury department
Very grea; improvements have been
made In respect to the minis and as
say offices. Diminished appropriations
have been asked for those whose con-
tinuance Is unnecessary, and this
years estimate of expenses is $4,000
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
proper place to consider the operation
of the existing tariff bill, which be-
came law Aug. @, 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
collected. Its 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
1 ltEhlutlOh VI tnG udNt III
rected the issue of the needed reglla-
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 or
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 for
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 or
TO the examination of any court, in
which the return made by the corpora
ton is relevant and competent evi-
| dence.
The Payne Tariff Act
| The schedules of the rates of duty
In the Payne tariff act have been sub
| jected to great deal of criticism,
some of 1t Just, more of il unfounded,
and to much misrepresentation. The
act was adopted in pursuance of a
declaration by the party which is re
sponsible for ii that q customs bill
should be n tariff for the protection
Of home Industries. the measure Of the
protection TO be the difference between
the cost of producing the imported ar
.icle abroad and the cost of producing
II at home together with such addi-
ton TO that difference rs might give
a reasonable profit to the home pro
Queer.
The basis for the criticism Of this
tariff is that in respect TO 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 attempt
to conform TO the measure of protec-
ton was not honestly and sincerely ad-
hered to.
Tariff Board.
The time in which the tariff was pre-
pared undoubtedly was so short as to
make 1t impossible for the congress
and Its experts to acquire the informa-
ton necessary strictly to conform to
+ho declared measure. In order to avoid
Continued on Page Seven.