The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-10

ure OF taxation. 1t Is the best cor
rective for the infiationary> tendencies
which grow out of large bond issues.
We shall probably have to finance in
the next twelve months something like
$4,000. 100000. The total amount Of
hew taxes proposed In this revenue
bill Is only 1880. 000, 900. or is per
cent of the total fnanaing we shall
probably have to do. 1t doesn't make
any difference that we shall get back
from the powers bonds for large
part of these expenditures We have
got to finance IL ,all--their needs az
well as ours--in this country The
money is going TO stay here. That is
very true, but Is per cent OF the totsi
of $4,000, 100000, / must tell you,
fellow citizens, is the least possible
amount that ought to be raised by
taxation If we undertake to finance
this war conservatively and soundly.
Never was there a nation so able to
bear that tax burden as the Ameri-
can nation. and never was there
time when the American people were
more willing to make the essential
sacrifices to meet. the situation.
Economy and Thrift.
Not only is II necessary to correct
nhationary tendencies, but certain
measure of wholesome taxation is alb
solutely essential TO encourage econ
omy and thrift in this country. When
say economy, ] do not mean lot
OF hystericaI self-denial, the refusal
to satisfy the ordinary needs of our
selves and our families. the normal
reeds. during this time of war. We
do not have to cut off our normaI
needs. What we do need TO do Is TO
prevent waste. to stop extravaganza,
and to give UP luxuries for the period
of this war. Unless we have a certain
measure of wholesome taxation 10
make men realize the necessity for
saving and for the prevention Of
waste, we are not going to effect those
necessary savings, Reasonable taxa
ton is in every direction beneficial
measure in time of war.
why are savings necessary? They
are necessary. first OF all, because
waste Is crime against civilization
at this time; secondly. because every
thing we save makes US more able to
respond to the demands OF our coun
try for the necessary finances to con-
duct this war and TO pay the proper
ton of taxes that must be imposed for
that purpose, and. thirdly. because
everything we save. everything that
every man, woman. and child In the
United States can save in the way OF
food in the way OF clothing, in the
way Of any other OF the essential
things OF life, Is just that much less
deuanded upon the general store of
the country. | want you to think OF
this situation for the moment as one
big general store. with Uncle Sam as
proprietor. Uncle Sam has got to see
that his own people are fed and taken
care Of. he has got TO see. in addi-
ton. that the 100000 men. perhaps
1900 900 men, whom we are going TO
put into the field are fed and clothed
and equipped with the things that are
necessary to enable them to become
trained soldiers These men will be
taken out OF the fields of productive
enterprise They will be FOR the time
they are in the war idle men from an
to be fed and clothed and equipped.
That means an enormous drain upon
The general store that we have not
heretofore had. and unless We econo-
mice and prevent waste II is very
serious question whether we shall be
able TO produce enough TO meet all OF
our demands and the demands ~ the
rest Of the world. Everything that
We save 10 going to release that much
In the general store for the support
of our own armies and the armies OF
Europe II A. therefore most impor-
tsnt. nv friends. that that should be
done: and want 10 urge You all To
practice that kind Of economy which.