The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1915-12-10

national efficiency and development that
we should have q great merchant ma
rine. The great merchant fleet we once
used to make US rich, that great body OF
sturdy sailors who used to carry our nag
Into every sea, and who were the pride
and often the bulwark 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. 1t
Is high time we repaired our mistake and
resumed our commercial independence on
the seas.
For it is a question OF independence.
II other nations go to war or seek to
hamper each others commerce, our mer-
chants, 1t 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 is
provincial, and is 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 m even where the doors are
wide open and our goods desired. Such
a situation is not to be endured. 1t Is
Of 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 it. but also that
the American hemisphere as a whole
should enjoy a like independence and self
sufiiciency, il It 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 ef-
fective American policy without ships of
our wn-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 etween
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 availing
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 winch may never return
again il 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
ticulars. I recommend these proposals
to you for your prompt acceptance with
the more confidence because every month
that has elapsed since the former pro-
| rnco1C vvyora vonla hoo von1n tho nonnCGitu
for such action more and more mani
testify imperative.
Question Of Finance.
The plans for the armed forces of the
nation which l have outlined, and for
the general policy of adequate prepare
ton for mobilization and defense, in
volve OF curse very large additional ex-
penditures Of money-eXpenditures which
will considerably exceed the estimated
revenues of the government. 1t Is made
my duty by law, whenever the
Of expenditure exceed the estimates OF
revenue to call the attention of the con-
gress to the fact and suggest any means
of meeting the deficiency that It may be
wise or possible for me to suggest. l an
ready to believe that 1t would be my duty
to do so In any case; and | feel particu-
larly bound to speak of the matter whef
it appears that the deficiency will arise
directly out Of the adoption by the con
gress of measures which | myself urge
It to adopt. Allow me, therefore,, II
speak briefly Of the present state Of til.
treasury and of the fiscal problem:
which the next year will probably dis
close.
On the thirtieth Of June last there wa:
an available balance In the general funt
of the treasury of slo4. 40, 1o5.7s. 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 its
present limit, the thirty-first of Decem-
Der, 1918, and hat the present duty o.
one cent per pound on sugar will be dis,
continued after the first of May, 1916
will be 500. 365, 600. The balance of June
last and these estimated revenues come
therefore,, to a grand total Of STA, 525. 605. IS
The total estimated disbursements for the
present fiscal year, including S25, 0o0,o9
for the Panama canal. $4,000. COO for prob.
able deficiency appropriations and $50,
Coo for miscellaneous debt redemptions
will be 1858, S9l 900; and the balance in the
general fund Of the treasury will be re,
duced to s20,644, 605.78 Tn emergency
revenue act. if continued beyond its pres
ent time limitation, would produce, dur
ing the half year then remaining, abou
forty-one millions. The duty of one cen
per pound on sugar, il continued, would
produce during the Two months OIL llt
fiscal year remaining after the first o.
May, about fifteen millions. These two
sums, amounting together to $50, 0o0,G 600
If added to the revenues of the secont
half Of the fiscal year, would yield thu
treasury at the end of the year an avail
able balance of SIC, 6A4,G COS. IS.
The additional revenues required t.
carry out the program of military ant
naval preparation of which / have spok
en-, would, as at present estimated, b.
for the fiscal year 1917, 1913, 800, 900. Thos'
figures. taken with the figures for thu
present fiscal year which l have alread,
given, disclose Jul financial problem TO
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. l hope, abou
to undertake we should pay as we &c
The people OF the country are entitled t
know just what burdens of taxation the,
are to carry. and to 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 government
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