The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-12-09

of other nations in rivalry OF their
own trade, and are without means to
extend our commerce even where the
doors are wide open and our goods
desired Such a situation is not to
be endured 1t Is of capital import
ance not only that the United States
should be its own carrier on the seas
and enjoy the economic independence
which only an adequate merchant ma
rine would give it. but also that the
American hemisphere as q whole
should enjoy a like independence and
self.sufIlciency, If 1t is not to be drawn
into the tangle of European affairs.
Without such independence the whole
question of our political unity and
self-determination Is very seriously
clouded and complicated indeed.
Moreover, we can develop no true
or effective American policy without
ships of our own-not ships of war,
but ships of peace, carrying goods and
carrying much more. creating friend
ships and rendering Indispensable
services to all interests on this side
the water.
Must Provide Ships.
With a view 10 meeting these
pressing necessities of our commerce
and avalling ourselves at the earliest
possible moment of the present I'M
paralleled opportunity Of linking the
two Americas together in bonds of mu
tual interest and service, an oppor-
tunity which may never return again
il we miss 1t now, proposals will be
made to the present congress for the
purchase or construction OF ships to
be owned and directed by the govern
ment similar to those made to the last
congress. but modified in some essen
tal particulars. recommend these
proposals to you for your prompt &C
ceptance with the more confidence
because every month that has elapsed
since the former proposals were made
has made the necessity for such action
more and more manifestly imperative
That need was then foreseen, 1t Is
now acutely felt and everywhere real
lied by those for whom trade Is walt
ing but who can find no conveyance
for their goods. am not so much in
terested in the particulars of the pro-
gram as | am in taking immediate adj
vantage of the great opportunity which
awaits US if we will but act In this
emergency.
The plans for the armed forces Of
l the nation which | have outlined, and
for the general policy OF adequate
preparation for mobilization and de-
Tense involve of course very large adj
ditional expenditures of money-eX-
penditures which will considerably ex-
coed the estimated revenues of the
government. 1t is made my duty by
law, whenever the estimates OF ex-
penditure exceed the estimates Of
revenue, to call the attention of the
congress to the fact and suggest any
means OF meeting the deficiency that
it may be wise or possible for me to
/ suggest. | am ready to believe that 1t
would be my duty to do so In any case;
/ and | feel particularly bound to speak
of the matter when it appears that the
the adoption by the congress of meas
! ures which | myself urge it to 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 disclose
State of the Finances.
On the thirdeth of June last there
was an available balance in the gen
eral fund of the treasury Of S104,170,-
! 1878. The total estimated receipts
for the year 1916 on the assumption
that the emergency revenue measure
| passed by the last congress will not be
extended beyond its present limit the
thirty-first of December 1915 and
that the present duty of one cent per
pound on sugar will be discontinued
after the first Of May, 1916, will be
500. 800, 500. The balance of June last
and these estimated revenues come,
therefore. to a grand total OF STA
435. COSTS. The total estimated dis.
bursements for the present fiscal year.
including $25 900 for the Panama
canal, $12,000,000 for probable de-
fciency appropriations, and $780,
600 for miscellaneous debt redemp-
tions. will be S753.S91 600: and
the balance in the general fund of the
treasury will be reduced to S20.644.-
,605.7s. The emergency revenue act. If
continued beyond its present time linn
itation. would produce. during the half
year then remaining. about $4,000.
000 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 $4,000 o00 These TWO sums
amounting together to $4,000 600 II
added 10 the revenues OF the second
half o' the fiscal year. would WELD the
treasury at the end OF the year an
available balance OF S76.6li.6o5.7
The additional revenues required
20 carry out the program OF military
and naga! preparation OF which | have
spokcn. would as al present estimated