Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1915-12-10

national efficiency and development that
we should have a great merchant ma.
rine. The great merchant deet we once
used to make us rich. that great body OF
sturdy sailors who used to carry our Tag
into every sea. and who were the pride
and often the buiwark Of the nation. we
have almost driven out Of existence by
inexcusable neglect and Indifference and
by a hopelessly BLIND and provincial pol
icy Of sO-called economic protection. II
Is high time we repaired our mistake and
resumed our commercial independence on
the seas.
For Il ts a question OF independence.
II other nations go to war or seek TO
hamper each others m our mer-
chants. Il seems. are at their mercy.
to do with 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
merce on the seas. Our Independence IL
provincial. and IL only on land and with
In our own borders. We are not Likely
to be permitted to use even the ships 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. II Is
OF capital Importance not only that the
United States should be its own carrier
on the seas and. enjoy the economic in
HANANA NHHN -
chant marine would give Il. but also that
the American hemisphere as a whole
should enjoy a like independence and self
sufnciency. n II Is not to be drawn into
the tangle Of European affairs. Without
such independence the whole question or
our political unity and self-determination
is very seriously clouded and complicated
indeed.
Moreover, we can develop no true or eff
fective American policy without ships OF
our own-not ships OF war. but ships OF
peace, carrying goods and carrying much
more: creating friendships and render
ing indispensable services to all interests
on this side OF the water. They must
move constantly back and forth between
the Americas. They are the only shuttles
that can weave the delicate fabric OF
sympathy. comprehension, confidence and
mutual dependence in which we clothe
our policy of America for Americans.
Ships Are Needed.
with a view to meeting these pressing
necessities OF our and awaiting
ourselves at the earliest possible moment
Of the present unparalleled opportunity OF
linking the two Americas together In
bonds of mutual interest and service, an
opportunity which may never return
again II we miss It now, proposals will
be made to the present congress for the
purchase or construction OF ships to be
owned and directed by the government
similar to those made to the last con-
gress, but modified in some essential par
t~iculars. I recommend these proposals
to you for your prompt acceptance with
the more confidence because every month
that has elapsed since the former pro-
posals we're made has made the necessity
for such action more and more mani
testify imperative.
Question of Finance.
The plans for the armed forces OF the
nation which ! have outlined. and for
the general policy of adequate prepare
tion for mobilization and defense, in
volve of course very large additional ex-
penditures of money-expenditures which
will considerably exceed the
revenues of the government. It is made
my duty by law. whenever the estimates
Of expenditure exceed the OF
revenue to call the attention Of the con
gress to the fact and suggest any means
of meeting the deficiency that II may be
wise or possible for me to suggest. ! am
ready to believe that II would be my duty
to do so in any case; and l feel particu-
larly bound to speak of the matter when
1t appears that the deficiency will arise
directly out of the adoption by the con-
gress Of measures which l myself urge
It to adopt. Allow me-. therefore, &c
speak briefly of the present state OF the
treasury and OF the fiscal problems
which the next year will probably dis
close.
on the thirtleth OF June last there was
an available balance in the general func
OF the treasury Of S1O4,l7O, 105.7S The to
tai estimated receipts for the year 1916
on the assumption that the emergency
revenue measure passed by the last con
gress will not be extended beyond fti
present limit, the ~thirty-irst of Deem
, Der, 1915, and that the present duty o
one cent per pound on sugar will be dis
continued after the first OF May. 1915
. will be $50, 1856, 800. The balance of Jun,
Z last and these estimated revenues come
therefore, to a grand total of STA, 5S5, 605.7b
! The total estimated disbursements for tn
: present fiscal year, including S5. 10000
for the Panama canal, 81, 900, 900 for prob
A able deficiency appropriations and $50
= 600 for miscellaneous debt redemptions
will be S75S, S9l, 900: and the balance in tn
general fund of the treasury will be re
/, duced to 1905 COS rs. The emergenc,
revenue act. II continued beyond its pres
ent time Limitation. would produce, dur
? ing the half year then remaining, abou
forty-one millions. The duty of one Ger
!, per pound on sugar, II continued, woul
produce during the two months of tn
: fiscal year remaining after the first O
= May, about fifteen millions. These tw
: sums, amounting together to s56, 100000
"a II added to the revenues OF the secon
half of the fiscal year, would yield IN
treasury at the end of the year an avail
a able balance of $40, GA, 6O5.7s.
The additional revenues required I
:. carry out the program OF military an
- naval preparation OF which have spol
:, en-, would, as at present estimated,
! for the fiscal year 1917, $50, 100000. Thoi
J, figures. taken with the figures for II
IL present fiscal year which ] have alread
" given. disclose our financial problem f'
= the year 1917.
~ How shall we obtain the new revenue
=. II seems to me a clear dictate OF pr
= dent craftsmanship and frank hnan'
I, that In what we are now, ] hope, abol
|" 70 undertake we should pay as we g
The people Of the country are entitled
= know Just what burdens Of taxation thu
- are to carry. and to know from the outse
now. The new bills should be paid by /
- ternal taxation.
: To what sources, then, shall we turl
=. We would be following an almost ur
" versal example OF modern government
!, II we were TO draw the greater part
y, even the whole OF the revenues we re
-, from the income taxes. BY somewh
~ lowering the present limits OF eXempti