Evening journal., 1918-05-27
By The United Press.

German drive on the west 'front.' Presi-
dent Wilson today demanded that Con
gress cast of political thought and
turn Immediately 10 the work OF en-
acting a ta1 measure this session.
Turning from his manuscript in con-
cluding a forceful address 10 Congress
In Joint session the President spoke
eNtemporaneously;
Just as | was leaving the White
House." he said, II was brought the
news that Germany had apparently re-
sumed her long expected drive on the
western front. Surely that strengthens
the purpose that have tried TO express
here"
The Presidents address follows
Gentlemen OF the Congress:
ut is with unaffected reluctance that
come to ask you 10 prolong your SEES
sion long enough 10 provide more ade-
quste resources for the Treasury for the
conduct OF the war ! have reason 10
appreciate how ardibous has been this
session OF Congress. You have passed
& long series Of measures which re-
duired the debate OF many doubtful
questions Of Judgment and many exceed
ingly diflcult questions OF principles as
well as Of practice. Summer Is upon
rs and labor and counsel Is more ardu-
Gus, constantly more apt 10 be impair
ed by lsssitude and fatigue. The cleo
tions are at hand and we ought as soon
as possible 10 60 and render an intimate
account Of our trusteeship 10 the peo-
pie who delegated US 10 act for them
in the weighty and anxious matters that
crowd upon US In these days Of critical
choice and action. But we dare not go
10 the elections until we have done our
duty to the full.
These are days when duty stands
stark and naked and even with closed
eyes we know II is there. Excuses are
unavailing. We have either done our
duty or we have not. The fact Will be
ss gross and plain as the duty itself.
In such & case lasstitude and fatigue
seem negligible enough. The facts are
tonic and sutlce 10 freshen the labor.
Additional revenues must naniiestly
be provided for. II would be a most
unsound policy 10 raise too large a
proportion Of them by loan. and Il Is
evident that the four billions now pro-
vided for by taxation will not OF them
selves sustain the greatly enlarged
look forward. We cannot in fairness
wait until the end OF the fiscal year is
at hand 10 apprise our people OF the
taxes they must pay on their earnings
OF the present calendar year whose 40
countines and expenditures will then
be closed We cannot get increased
taxes unless the country knows what
they are 10 be and practices the neces-
sary economy 10 make them available.
Denniteness. early de1niteness, as to
what It's tasks are TO be is absolutely
necessary for the successful admins
trstion Of the Treasury.
IT cannot frame fair and workable
renulatlons in haste; and II must frame
rs regulations in haste II IL IS not 10
know its exact task until the very eve
Of its performance The present tax
laws are msrred moreover by indusi-
ties which ought to be remedied. In
disputable facts, every one; and we can
not alter or blink at them To state
them is argument enough.
And yet perhaps Il will permit me TO
dwell for moment upon the situa-
tion they disclose Enormous loans
freely spent In the stimulation of indus
try OF almost every sort produce in
flatations and extravagances which
presently make the whole economic
structure questionable and insecure and
the very basis Of credit Is cut away.
Only fair, squitsbly disturbed taxation.
OF the widest Incidence, and drawing
chiefly from the sources which would
be likely 10 demorslize credit by their
very abundance can prevent imitation
and keep our Industrial system free OF
speculation and waste We shah na-
turally turn, therefore. ! suppose. 10
war protfs and incomes and luxuries
for the additional taxes. But the war
profits and incomes upon which the in |
creased taxes viii be levied will be the |
place upon which they will bear most |
heavily.
Moreover taxes OF that sort will not
be maid until June OF next year and the .
treasury must anticipate them. II must I
use the money they are 10 produce be
fore II Is due. II must sell short time /
certificates OF independent indebted /
ness. In the autumn much larger /
sale OF long time bonds must be az /
fected than has vet been attempted /
What are the bankers 10 think Of the /
certificates II they do not certainly /
Know WleTe Lllt ulpltf - ~ ]
come from which IS 10 take
them up? And how are investors
20 approach the purchase o. bonds .
with any sort Of confidence or know
edge Of their own sffairs II they do not /
know what taxes they are 20 pay and
what economies and adjustments Of
their business they must effect' can
not assure tho country Of Q successful
administration OF the treasury in 1913
n the question OF further taxation is 10
be left undecided until 1919.
The consideration that dominates
and makes every other seem trivial and
negligible is the winning Of the war.
We arg not only in the midst OF the
war. we are Al the very peak and crisis
Of n. Hundreds of thousands OF our
men, carrying our hearts with them
and our fortunes are In the neld, and
ships are crowding faster and faster TO
the ports ot France and England, with
regiment after regiment. thousand after
thousand. 20 Join them until the enemy
shall be hcalen 10 reckoning with man
Kind. There can be no pause or inter
mission. The great enterprise must. on
the contrary. be pushed with greater
and grester energy. The volume OF
our might must steadily and rapidly be
augmented until there can be no ques-
ton OF resisting II that is 10 be ac-
complished, gentlemen. money must
sustain Il 10 the utmost our financial
program must no more be left in
doubt or suffered 10 lag than our ord
nance program, or our ship program,
or our nuni.icns program or our pro-