The Washington herald., 1919-12-03
Presidents Message
To the Goth Congress

The Presidents message was
in part. as follows:
I sincerely regret that I cam
not be present at the opening of
this session Of the Congress- I
am thus prevented from present.
ing in g direct a way az I couId
wish the many questions that
are pressing for solution at this
time Happily. I have had the
advantage OF the advice of the
heads OF the several executiy,
departments who have kept in
close touch with affairs in their
detail and whose thoughtful rec
concentrations I earnestly sec
ond.
In the matter of the railroads
and the readjustment of their
AFFAIRS growing out of FederaI
control. I shall take the liberty
at a later date OF addressing
you.
I hope that Congress will
bring to q conclusion at this ses-
sion legislation looking to the
establishment Of a budget sys-
TEN. That there should be on,
single authority responsible for
the making of all appropriations
and that appropriations should
be made not Independently of
each other, but with reference to
one single comprehensive plan
of expenditure properly related
to the nations income. there can
be no doubt. believe the bur-
den Of preparing the budget
must. in the nature of the case.
II the work is to be properly
done and responsibility concen-
trated instead of divided. rest
upon the executive.
Economy Is Demanded.
Another and not less important
aspect OF the problem is the as
certainment of the economy and
efficiency with which the none -
appropriated are expended. I'm
der existing law the only audit Is
for the purpose Of ascertaining
whether expenditures have been
lawfully made within the appro-
p-iations. No one is authorized
or equipped to ascertain whether
the money has been spent wise
ly. economically and effectively.
The auditors should be highly
trained officials with permanent
tenure in the Treasury Depart
ment. free of obligations to or
motives OF consideration for this
or any subsequent administration,
and authorized and empowered to
examine into and make report
upon the methods employed and
the results obtained by the ex-
ecutive departments OF the gov
ernment. Their reports should be
made to the Congress and to the
Secretary of the Treasury.
trust that the Congress will
give its immediate consideration
to the problem of future taxation.
Simplification Of the income and
profits taxes has become an i'm
mediate necessity.
With reference to the details
of the revenue law. the Secre-
tary of the Treasury and the
commissioner of internal rev.
enue will lay before you for
your consideration certain amend
ments necessary or desirable in
connection with this administra-
tion OF the law-recommendat
which have my approval and sup
port.
Americas Changed StatuA.
The problem is not an easy one.
A fundamental change has taken
place with reference to the posi-
tion OF America in the worlds
affairs. The prejudice and pas
sions engendercd b. decades Of
controversy between two schools
OF political and economic thought
the one believers in protection OF
American industries. the other
believers in tariff for revenue
only-must be subordinated to the
single consideration of the public
interest in the light Of utterly
changed conditions.
No policy Of isolation will sat-
isfy the growing needs and oppor-
tunities of America. NThe provin-
cial standards and policies of the
past, which have held American
business as II in a strait-jacket.
must yield and give way to the
needs and exigencies of the new
day in which we live, a day full
OF hope and promise for Amer
lean business. il we will but take
advantage OF the opportunities
that are ours for the asking.
There are -other matters Of i'm
portance upon which I urged ac-
ton at the last session of Con-
gress which are still pressing for
A.