Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1919-12-10


in both houses of congress. 1t did
not mention the fight over the peace
treaty, but did assert that the delay
in arriving at a permanent peace was
one of the basic causes of the unrest
that is disturbing the country. After
explaining that his illness prevented
his appearance before congress in per-
son, Mr.. Wilson's message continued:
1 hope that congress will bring to
conclusion at this session legislation look
ing to the establishment of a budget sys-
tenn. That there should be one single au-
thority 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 prop
erly related to the nations income there
can be no doubt l believe the burden of
preparing the budget must in the nature
of the case, if the work is to be properly
done and responsibility concentrated in
stead of divided, rest upon the executive.
The budget so prepared should be sub
mitted to and approved or amended by
single committee of each house OF con-
gress, and no single appropriation should
be made by the congress, except such as
may have been included in the budget
prepared by the executive or added by
the particular COnllllLISG OF congress
charged with the budget legislation.
Another and not less important aspect
of the problem is the ascertainment of
the economy and efficiency with which
the moneys appropriated are expended.
Under existing law the only audit is for
the purpose of ascertaining whether eX-
penditures have been lawfully made with
in the appropriations. No one is author
lied or equipped to ascertain whether
the money has been spent wisely, eco
nomically and effectively.
Taxation Question Taken Up.
l trust that the congress will give its
immediate consideration to the problem
of future taxation. Simplificaton of the
income and profits taxes has become an
immediate necessity. These taxes per-
formed Indispensable service during the
war. They must, however be simplifed
not only to save the taxpayer inconven-
fence and expense, but in order that his
liability may be made certain and definite.
With reference to the details of the
revenue law, the secretary of the treas
ury and the commissioner of internal rev.
enue will lay before you for your consid-
Grafton certain amendments necessary or
desirable in connection with the admins
tration of the INSTRUMENTATION
which have my approval and support.
1t is of the utmost Importance that in
dealing with this matter the present law
should not be disturbed so far as regards
taxes for the calendar year 1920 payable
in the calendar year 1921 The congress
might well consider whether the higher
rates of income and profits taxes can in
peace times be effectively productive of
revenue and whether they may not
the contrary, be destructive of business
activity and productive of waste and in
efficiency.
There is point at which in peace times
nigh rates of income and profits taxes
discourage energy, remove the incentive
TO new enterprise, encourage eXtravagant
expenditures and produce industrial stag
nation with consequent unemployment
and other attendant evils.
The message then discussed the ia
vOrable balance of trade and the need
of adjusting our economic life to the
changed conditions and of abandon
ing the policy of isolation. In the
matter of recognition and relief for
returned soldiers the president re-
peated the recommendations in his
last message. He also urged tariff
revision to protect our chemical and
dyestuff industries. He continued:
Farmers Are Praised.
During the war the farmer per-
formed a vital and willing service to
the nation. By materially increasing
the production of his land he supplied
America and the allies with the in
creased amounts of food necessary to
keep their immense armies in the field.
He indispensably helped to win the
war. But there is now scarcely less
need of increasing the production in
food and the neeessaries of life. 1 ask
the congress to consider means of en-
couraging effort along these lines.
The Importance of doing everything
possible to promote production. along
economical lines, to improve marketing
and to make rural life more attractive
and healthful. is obvious. L would urge
approval of the plans already proposed
to the congress by the secretary of ag-
riculture, to secure the essential facts
required for the proper study of this
question, through the proposed en-
Targed programs for farm mana cement
studies and crop estimates.
I would urge, also. the continuance
of federal participation in the building
of good roads, under the terms of ex-
listing law and under the direction of
present agencies; the need of further
action on the part of the states and the
federal government to preserve and
develop our forest resources, especially
through the practice of better forestry
methods on private holdings and the
extension of the publicly owned for
ests; better support for country schools
and the more definite direction of their
courses of study along lines related to
rural problems; and fuller provision for
sanitation in rural districts and the
building up of needed hospital and
medical facilities.
BIames Government for Unrest
would call your attention to the
widespread condition OF political rest
lessness in our body polite. The
causes of this unrest, while various
and complicated are superficial rather
than deep seated. Broadly. they arise
from or are connected with the failure
on the part of our government to ar
rive speedily at q just and permanent
peace permitting return to normal con-