The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-12-07

gwen under conditieao Of publicity Of
each beneficiary's business and acconnts
which would show that the aid received
waa needed TO maintain the trade and was
property used for that purpose
Further extension Of ths civil service
in the diplomatic service and gradual
| and annual acquisition OF residences
for our diplomats - urged. also pre-
vious recommendation giving the United
States courts the right to punish as a
crime the violation OF rights belonging
to aliens through treaty
TREASURY ESTIMATES AND ECONOMY.
IN discussing the Treasury Depart
ment the message calls attention to the
economies already practised:
The hnAl estimates for the year ending
June 30. 1912. a. they have been sent TO the
Treasury. on November - OF this year.
for the ordinary expenses OF the Govern
ment. including those for public build
ings. rivers and harbors. and the navy
| building programme. amount 10 49,
Se<.Oi3.i.. This Is sS2. sSS. ss7 % less than
the appropriations for the fiscal year
ending June 20. 1911. II 10 SIC, SIS. is3 "a
| less than the total estimates, including
supplemental estimates submitted to
Congress- by the Treasury for the year
1911. and Ia Ss.S7s.s5s. 20 lees than the
original estimates submitted by the
Treasury for 1911.
These figures do not include the aP-
preparations for the Panama Canal. the
policy in respect to which ought To be.
and Is. To spend as much each year a.
can be economically and effectively e1-
pended in order 20 complete the canal
as promptly as possible. and therefore
the ordinary motive for cutting down
the expense Of the Government does
Ia -
pose. 1t will he noted that the estima tes
FOR the Pr ma Canal for the ensuing
year are re than SSd. 900 .0OO. an in
! crease of 30. o00. 900 over the amount
appropriated for this year-a difference
due to the fact that the estimates for
| for the fortificat ton Of the canal
Against the estimated expenditures
OF $3.50. ss4.0i3i2. the Treasury has esn-
mated receipts for next year tesO.Ooo 10.
making a probably" snrpus Of ordinary
receipts over orSmry expenditures OF
about $50. on. coo. or. taking into account
the estimates for the Panama Canal.
! which arr $50. Sc. si7 80. and which will
ultimately be paid m bonds. It will leav"
deficit for the next year OF about ~ .On-
onO. 10 Congress shall conclude IN fortify
: the canal The cost of the forrifications
! il about sip. OOO .ONo Should there be- no
appropriations this year for Notifications.
J then there would be. even including the
Panama Canal appropriation. a surplus
! of about si2.OOo.OOn. according to the
/ Treasury estimate
CUSTOM HOUSE EPFIcIEScr
Among the changes which Mr. Taft
hopes to see made TO bring about econ
omy are some involving the customs
service. in which. he says. there has
/ already been great improvement, He
SAYS
Ry tn. detection Of fr rIds in weigh
ing sugar upward Of 81 100000 have
been recovered from the Oen-ficiarIes
Of the frald and an entirely new
system free from the possibilities OF
sicn abuse has been devised The DE-
par,ment has perfected the method Of
collecting duties at the port Of New York
50 a. TO .sn: "a. g, 3, 9I.a sSi
same spirit of change and reform has
been infused into the other customs
Offices Of the country
The methods used at many places are
archaic There would seem ~ be no
reason at all WHY the surveyor OF the
Port who really acts for the Collector,
should not be a subordinate Of the Col
l.ctor AT a less salary and directly under
his control and there - but little reason
for the existence OF the Naval Oficer.
who Ia a kind of local auditor. His work
10 mainly an examination Of accounts
which is conducted again IN Washington
and which results in no greater security
20 the Government. The Naval Ohicers
in the various ports az Presidential ap-
pointees. many OF them drawing good
iahed or with reduced force made part
Of the central auditing system.
There are entirely too many customs
districts and too many customs collectors.
These districts should be consolidated
and the collectors in charge Of them.
who draw good salaries. MANY Of them
out Of proportion 90 the collections made.
should be abolished or treated as mere
branch Offices. in accordance With the
plan Of the Treasury Department. which
Of Congress As an illustration. the cost
81 collecting 81 Of revenue at typical
small ports like the port OF York. Me.
was $50 %. Al the port OF Annapolis Md.
II cost $500 To collect 81 OF revenue
AZ Natchez. $50 20. az Alexandria. Va,
sl?2 ~.
II is not essential to the prev enting Of
smuggling that customs districts should
be increased in number The violation Of
the customs laws can be quite as easily
prev sn,ed. and much more economically
bv the revenue cutter service and by the
uss. Of IN. special agent travelling forcs
~ the Treasury Department. reorgani-
zation OF the special customs agents has
been rerfectei with a view tn retaining
only those who have special know ledge
II the customs laws. regulations and
usual methods OF evasion. AMI with this
improv cement there will he no danger IN
The Government from the recon nended
consolidation and abolition OF customs
districts.
An Investigation o! tho appraisinG
system now in vogue in New York city
has shown under appraisement and
sacrific. Of the interests OF the Govern
ment which IL in the course Of beng
remeded by reor ganization and the en-
ploymsni Of competent experts Prose-
cutions have been instituted growing out
Of tho frauds there discovered and ara
now awaiting hearing in the Federal
cour ..
THE CORPORATION TAX
OF the corporation tax the President
says:
The corporation excise tax. proper
toned To the net income OF every business
corporation in the country. has worked
we'll The tax has been easily collected
Its prompt payment indicates that the
incidence OF the tax has not been heavy.
IN offers. moreover. an opportunity for
knowledge by the Government OF the
general condition and business OF all
corporations. and that means by far
1 ,ha ,poss tnporSant mart ~ the btlglne-a