The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1915-12-09

TRACE. 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 IA
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 II, but also that
| the American hemisphere as a whole
should enjoy like Independence and self
| suficiency. II II 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 shjps 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.
The task OF building up an ADEQUATE
merchant marine for America private
achieve. as II has undertaken and
achieved every other like task amongst
US In the past, with admirable enterprise
intelligence and vigor: and IL seems to
me a manifest dictate OF wisdom that we
should promptly remove every legal OBJ
stacle that may stand In the way Of this
much to be desired revival OF our old in
dependence and should facilitate in every
possible way the building. purchase and
American registration of ships. But can
itai cannot accomplish this great task of
sudden. II must embark upon IL by de-
srees. as the opportunities OF trade de-
velop. Something must be done at once;
done to open routes and develop oppor-
tunities where they are as yet undevel.
oped; done to open the arteries OF trade
Where the currents have not yet learned
TO run-especlally between the two Ameri-
can continents, where they are, singularly
enough. yet to be created and auickened
ana II Is evident that only the govern
mont can undertake such beginnings and
assume the initial financial risks. When
the risk has passed and private capital
begins to find it's way In sufficient abund-
ance into these new channels the gov
eminent may withdraw. But II cannot
omit to begin. IL should take the first
steps and should take them at once. Our
goods must not lie piled up at our ports
ana stored upon sidetracks in freight
cars which are daily needed on the roads;
must not be left without means of
transport to any foreign quarter We
must not await the permission OF foreign
snip owners and foreign governments to
send them where we will.
with a view to meeting these pressing
necessities OF our commerce and ayailing
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 " we miss II 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
uculars. l recommend these proposals
to you for your prompt acceptance with
the more confidence because, every month
that has elapsed since the former pro-
posals were 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
ton for mobilization and defense. in
volve OF course very large additional ex-
penditures OF money-cxpcnditures which
Will considerably exceed the estimated
revenues of the government. 1t Is made
my duty by law. whenever the estimates
or 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 II may be
wise or possible for me to suggest I am
ready to believe that II would be my duty
to do 80 In any case: and 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 I myself urge
II 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 dis
close. |
On the thrtieth OF June last there was
an available balance In the general fund |
OF the treasury OF sl0i. 40. lO5.7s. 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 it's
present limit, the thrty-frst OF Decem-
Der. 1915 and that the present duty OF |
one cent per pound on sugar will be dis |
continued after the first of May, 1916.
will be $3.50. 1855, 800. The balance of June
last and these estimated revenues come. |
therefore. to a grand total OF ST.. 535. COS rs
The total estimated disbursements for the |
present fiscal year. including SOS OOO, 900 |
for the Panama canal. Sl2 900 for prob |
able deficiency appropriations and $780,
600 for miscellaneous debt redemptions, |
Will be $685. 900; and the balance In the |
general fund OF the treasury will be re-
duced to $2o.6ii.605.7s. The emergency |
revenue act, II continued beyond its pres
ent time Limitation. would produce, dur
Ing the half year then remaining, about |
forty-one 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 to $50 900, 900
II added to the revenues OF the second |
half OF the fiscal year, would yield the |
treasury at the end of the year an avail
able balance OF $40. ga, COSTS.
The additional revenues required to /
carry out the program OF military and |
naval preparation OF which ! have spok-
en-. would as at present estimated be
for the fiscal year 1917, 39S.sOO0O0. 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? |
II seems to me clear dictate of pr,l-