The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-12-11
PRESIDENT SAYS
NEWLAWS NEEDED
He Recommends a Number of
Changes in Existing Stat
utes in Annual Mess
age to Congress.
WOULD CURB RIGHT TO STRIKE
Mr.. Wilson, However, FaVors Collect
i've eargaining-5udaet System,
REIMBURSEMENT of Tariff and
New Tax Laws Urged.


shington.-GeneraI recommends
tons on legislation to combat the cost
of living. labor unrest, radicalism and
readjustment OF the Nation to peace
time basis were the features of Presi-
dent Wilson's annual message to
congress
Following is the text of the mes
sage:
ITO the senate and house of repre-
:sentatives-I sincerely regret that I
cannot be present at the opening of
this session of the congress. | am
thus prevented from presenting in as
direct way as ! could wish the many
questions that are pressing for solu-
ton at this time. Happily, l have
had the advantage Of the advice of the
heads of the several executive de-
Partments who have kept in close
touch with affairs in their detail, and
whose thoughtful recommendations I
earnestly second.
Tn the matter of the railroads and
the readjustment Of their affairs grow
ing out Of federal control, shall take
the liberty at a later day Of addressing
YOU
Urges a Budget System.
81 hope that congress will bring to
a conclusion at this session IegisIa-
tion looking to the establishment of
a budget system. That there should
be one 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 compre-
hensive plan of expenditure properly
related to the nations income, there
can be no doubt. I believe the bur-
den of preparing the budget must. in
the nature of the case, if the work is
to be properly done and responsible
1ty concentrated instead of divided.
rest upon the executive The budget
prepared should be submitted to and
approved or amended by a single
committee of each house of congress,
except such as may have been included
in the budget prepared by the execu-
tive or added by the particular com
Infttee OF congress charged with the
budget legislation.
no Check on Extravaganza.
Another and not less important
aspect Of the problem is the ascertain
ment of the economy and efficiency
with which the moneys appropriated
dF0 04p0nQeO.
'Undsr existing Iaw the only audit
3 for the purpose of ascertaining
whether expenditures have been law
fully made within the appropriations
No one is authorized or equipped to
ascertain whether the money has been
spent wisely, economically and effect
lively. The auditors should be highly
trained officials with permanent ten
ure in the treasury department, free
OF obligations to or motives of consid-
Grafton for this or any subsequent adj
ministratiOn and authorized and en-
powered to examine into and make re-
port upon the methods employed and
the results obtained by the executive
departments of the government. Their
reports should be made to the con-
gresS and to the secretary of the treas
dry.
Simpler Taxation Laws Needed
'i trust that the congress will give
its immediate consideration to the
problem of future taxation Simpli-
fication of the income and profits
taxes has become an immediate ne
cessity. These taxes performed indis-
pensabIe service during the war They
must, however, be simplified, not only
to save the taxpayer Inconvenience
and expense, but in order that his liza
biIity may be made certain and def
mite.
With reference to the details of
the revenue law, the secretary of the
treasury and the commissioner of in
ternal revenue will lay before you
for your consideration certain amend
ments necessary or desirable in con-
nection with the administration of the
1aw-recommendati which have my
approval and support.
cit is of the utmost Importance that
in dealing with this matter the pres
ent law should not be disturbed SO far
as regards taxes for the calendar year
OF 1890, payable in the calendar year
OF 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, on
the contrary, be destructive of bust
ness activity and productive of waste
and proficiency. There is a point at
which in peace times high rates OF
income and profits taxes discourage
energy, remove the incentive to new
enterprise, encourage eXtravagant
stagnatiOn with consequent unempIoy-
ment and other attendant evils.