Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-12-09

} rlne The great merchant fleet we once
lStl % make Us rich. that great body OF
sturdy sailors who used 10 carry our nag
ivto every sea. and who We're the pride
ana often the hulwark Of the nation We
NAyt almost driven out Of existence by
iutNcuSable neglect and Indifference and
by = hopelessly blind and provincial pol
icy u So-called economic protection. II
: high time We repaired our mistake and
resumed our commercial independence on
the seas.
For it is a question Of independence
K other nations 80 10 war or seek 10
hamper each others commerce. our mer-
chants IL seems. are al their mercy
10 SO wiki As they please. We must use
their ships and use them as they deter
mine. We have not ships enough Of our
own We cannot handle our own COM
rerce On the seas our Independence Is
provincial and IS only on land and with
In our own BORDERS We are not likely
- oe permitted 10 use even the ships Of
other nations in rivalry OF their own
trade. and are without means 70 extend
OUT commerce even where the doors are
wide open and our goods desired. Such
. situation IS not 10 he endured II is
q capital Importance not only that the
United States should be its own carrier
on the seas and enjoy the economic in
dependence which only an adequate mer-
chant marine would give il. but also that
the American hemisphere as whole
should enjoy like independence and self
sut.ciercy. II Il Is not 10 De drawn into
the tansle 81 European affairs Without
such independence the whole question OF
or political unity and self-determination
: very seriously clouded and complicated
indeed
Moreover. We can develop no true or et-
tectiNe American policy without ships Of
our own-not ships % war. but ships OF
peace carrying goods and carrying much
more. creating friendships and render
~ Indispensable services 20 all interests
o. this side Of the water They must
move constantly hack and forth between
tie Americas. They are the only shuttles
that san weave the delicate fabric OF
sympathy. comprehension. confidence AMI
mutual dependence IN which We clothe
ouT policy q America for Americans.
Ships Are Needed.
WIKI a view 10 meeting these pressing
necessities q or commerce and availing
ourselves at the sarAes; possible moment
e The QrsSen, unparalleled opportunity OF
linking the TWO Americas together IN
bonds o. mutual interest and service. an
opportunity which may never return
Asain L We miss il now. proposals will
D. made 70 the present congress FOR the
purchase o. construction Of ships TO be
owned and directed by the government
similar 10 those made 10 the last con-
S-ess. blk modified In some essential par
ucuia-s. recommend these proposals
70 you fo- your prompt acceptance with
tie more confidence because every month
that has elapsed since the former pro-
posals we're made has made the necessity
,o- such action more and more mani
.eStiy Imperative.
Question OF Finance.
The plans for the armed forces OF the
nation which 7 have outlined. and for
TIE general policy Of adequate prepara-
ton for mobilization and defense, in
voive Of course very large additional ex-
r@n1itures OF money-expenditures which
viii considerably exceed the estimated
revenues OF the government Il i made
my duty BY law, whichever the estimates
= expenditure exceed the estimates Of
revenue 10 call the attention OF the con-
s7~ss 70 the fact and suggest any means
% meeting the deficiency that IL may be
wise or possible for me to suggest I am
ready TO believe that IL would be my duty
10 do 50 in any case: and feel particu-
larry bound TO speak OF the matter when
It appears that the deficiency viii arise
directly out OF the adoption by the con-
gress OF measures which myself urge
Il 10 adopt. Allow me. therefore. to
speak briefly OF the present state OF the
treasury and Of the fiscal problems
which the next year will probably dis
close
On the thirtieth O, June last there was
an available balance In the general fund
Of the treasury OF ;lo4 IN. io5.7S The TO-
tai estimated receipts for the year 1916.
on the assumption that the emergency
revenue measure passed by the last con-
gress viii not be extended beyond its
present limit. the thirty-hrst Of Decsm-
Der. 1918. and that the present duty OF
one cent per pound on sugar will be dis
continued after the hrst OF May. 1916.
viii be fsse-95.5"o The balance OF June
last and these estimated revenues come.
therefore. TO a grand total Of 81. q. 81. =
The total estimated disbursements for the
present fiscal year. including s.. 90 90
for the Panama canal. sl21fo. 90 for prob
able deficiency appropriations and 80
H' for miscellaneous debt redemutions.
will be s75S.s<l.rl: and the balance In the
general fund OF the treasury will De re-
duced TO s-o.sis,-57s The emergency
revenue act. II continued beyond its pres-
ent time Limitation. would produce. dur
ing the half year then remaining. about
forty-ons millions The duty OF one cent
per pound on sugar. II continued. would
produce during the two months OF the
fiscal year remaining after the first OF
May. about fifteen millions These two
sums amounting together 10 Sf.ef1 on
II added 10 the revenues Of the second
half OF the fiscal year. would yield the
treasury al the end OF the year an avail
able balance OF SIS 81 .s15.7s
The additional revenues required 10
carry out the program Of military and
naval preparation Of which I have srok-
en-. would. as at present estimated. he
for the fiscal year 1917. sc. So no Those
figures. taken with the figures FOR the
present fiscal year which / have already
given. disclose our financial problem FOR
the year 1917.
How shall We obtain the new revenue.
1t seems to me a clear dictate OF pru-
dent craftsmanship and frank finance
that In what we are now. hope. about
TO undertake We should pay as We 90
The people OF the country are entitled 10
know just what burdens Of taxation they
are TO carry. and 10 know from the outset
now. The new bills should be paid By in
ternal taxation
To what sources. then. shall We turn
We would Be following an almost uni
versal example Of modern governments
II We we're 10 draw the greater parr or
even the whole OF the revenues We need
from the income taxes. BY somewhat
lowering the present limits OF exemptso,
and the figure al which the surtax shah
begin 10 be imposed. and By Increasing
step by step throughout the present grad
uation. the surtsx itself. the income taxes