Cheyenne record., 1919-12-11
WILSON MESSAGE
READ T0CONGRESS
MAKES MANY IMPORTANT REC
LAMENTATIONS TO
CONGRESS.
WILSON WARNS REDS
FINANCIAL SYSTEM MUST BE
CHANGED, SAYS THE
PRESIDENT.
w~r.rn Newsnoper Union News Service

Tuesday follows:
1n the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentativcs:
l sincerely regret that l cannot be
present at the opening OF this session
"f the Congress. l am thus prevented
from presenting In as direct way as
| could wish the many questions that
are pressing for solution at this time.
Happily. have had the advantage of
the advice of the heads Of the several
executive departments who have kept
in close touch with affairs in their de-
tall and whose thoughtful recommend
sticnS earnestly second.
In the matter of the railroads and
the rendiustment of their affairs grow
ing out of federal control, shall take
the liberty at later day Of address
Ing you.
Urges National Budget.
hope that Congress will bring to a
conclusion Mt this session legislation
looking to the establishment of Il bud
get system That there should be one
Sngci authority responsible for the
making Of all appropriations and that
appropriations should be made not In
dependently of each other, but with
reference to one single comprehensive
piRn OF expenditure properly related
to the hatiOn's income, there can be no
doubt. I believe the burden Of prepar-
ing the budget must, in the nature of
the case, If the work Is to be properly
done and responsibility concentrated
Instead of divided, rest upon the execu-
utivc.
The budget so prepared should be
submitted to and approved or amend
ed by a single committee of each house
OF Congress and no single approprir-
tion should be made by the Congress-
except such as may have been includ-
ed in the budgst prepared by the eX-
eculive of added by the particular com
mlttee of Congress charged with the
budget legislation.
Permanent Tenure Of office.
Another and not less Important
aspect of the problem is the ascertain
u,eut of the economy and efficiency
with which the moneys appropriated
are expended. Under existing law
the only audit is for the purpose of
ascertnining whether expenditures
have been lawfully made within the
appropriations. No one Is authorized
"r equipped to ascertain whether the
money has been spent wisely. cconom-
lcally and effectively.
The auditors should be highly
,rained officials with permanent ten
ure in the Treasury Department. free
OF obligations to or motives of consid-
GRAFTON for this or any subsequent ad-
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
rcpOrts should be made to the Coh-
sress and to the secretary of the
treasury
trust that the Congress will give
It's immediate consideration to the
problem of future taxation. Simpli-
fication of the income and profits
taxes has become an immediate neces-
sity. These taxes performed indispen-
sn,ie service during the war. They
aust, however, be simplified, not only
to save the taxpayer Inconvenience
and expense, but in order that his lia-
biiity may be made certain and uefi-
Uitc.
Questions Of Tax in Peace Time.
with reference to the details of the
revenue law, the secretary of the
treasury and the commissioner OF In
tcrnui revenue will lay before you for
your consideration certain amend
ucnis necessary or desirable In con
Hcctiou with the administration OF the
Recommendation which have my
approval and support
1t 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 1920. payable In the calendar
year 1921.
The Congress might well consider
whether the higher rates Of income
and profits taxes Gun In peace times
hc effectively productive of revenue
and whether they may not, on the con-
trury, be destructive of business ac-
uvity and productive of waste and in
efficiency.
There is point at whlch In peace
times nigh rates of income and prof
i,s taxes discourage energy, remove
the incentive to new enterprise, en-
courage extravagant expenditures and
produce Industrial stagnatlOn with
consequent unemployment and other
attendant evils.
Americas Position.
The problem Is not an easy one. A
fundamental change has taken place
witt, reference to the position Of Amer
lea In the worlds affairs. The preju-
dice and passions engendered by dec
sdes Of controversy between two