The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-06-11


retrench which has characterized the
post war policy of the administration,
we cite the fact that, not including
the war and navy department, the ex-
ecutive departments and other estab-
lishments at Washington actually re-
cord an increase subsequent to the
armistice of 2,1S4 employees. The net
decrease in costs contained in the 1921
demands submitted by the administra-
ton is only one per cent under that of
1920. The annual expense of federal
operation can be reduced hundreds of
millions of dollars without impairing
the efficiency of the public service.
1--WE pledge ourselves to a carefully
planned readjustment to a peace time
basis and to policy of rigid emonomy,
tc the better coordination of depart
mental activities, to the elimination of
unnecessary officials and employees
and to the raising of the standard of
individual efficiency.
The Executive Budget.
I'VE congratulate the republican
congress on the enactment of a law
providing for the establishment of an
executive budget as a necessary in
strument for a sound and business like
administration Of the national fin
ances; ad we condemn the veto of the
president which defeated this great
financial reform.
Reorganization Of Federal Depart
ments and Bureaus.
We advocate a thorough investiga-
| ton of the present organization Of the
| federal departments and bureaus with
view to securing consolidation, a
more business like distribution of
| functions, the elimination of duplica-
| ton, delays and overlapping of work
and the establishment of an up-todate
| and efficient administrative organiZa-
ton.
War Powers Of the President.
| "The president clings tenaciously
to his autocratic war time powers.
His veto of the resolution declaring
peace and his refusal to sign the bill
repeating war time legislation, no
| longer necessary. evidence his deter
mination not to restore to the nation
and to the states the form of govern
ment provided for by the constitution
This usurpation is intolerable and de-
serves the severest condemnation.
| Taxation.
"The burden of taxation imposed
on the American people is staggering
but in presenting true statement OF
the situation we must face the fact
that, while the character Of the taxes
can and should be changed, an early
reduction of the amount of revenue tt
be raised is not to be expected.
Expenses.
"The next republican administra
ton will inherit from its democratic
predecessor, a floating Indebtedness
of over 100000, the promp
liquidation of which is demanded BY
sound financial considerations. More
over, the whole fiscal policy of the
government must be deeply Influenced
by the necessity of meeting oblga
tions in excess of s5.O0O.00O, 900 which
mature in 1928. But sound polio,
equally demands the early accomplish
ment of that real reduction of the ia,
burden which may be achieved by sub
shutting simple for complex tax law
and procedure, prompt and certain
determination of the tax liability TO
delay and uncertainty, tax laws whicl
do not for tax laws which do exces
sively mulct the consumer or need
lessly repress enterprise and thrift.
we advocate the issuance of
simplifed form of income return: at
:, thorizing the treasury department t
ly only from the date of their az
,, proval; empowering the commissions
of internal revenue, with the consen
of the tax payer, to make final an
conclusive settlements of tax claim
and assessments barring fraud. an
the creation of tax board consistin
of at least three representatives c
the tax paying public and the head
of the principal divisions of the bl
reau of internal revenue to act as
standing committee on the simplific;
: ton of forms, procedure and law, an
to make recommendations to the COZ
: gress.
:, Banking and Currency.
i The fact is that the war to gres
extent was financed by a policy
d imitation through certificate borrowin
> from the banks, and bonds issued at
IL artificial rate sustained by the low di
l. count rates established by the reser,
y bank. The continuance of this polio
since the armistice lays the admin
:, Stration open to severe criticisr
II Almost up to the present time, II
. practices of the federal reserve boa,
/ as to credit control have been frank
dominated by the convenience of II
$ treasury.
al The results have been a greatly i
: creased war cost, a serious loss to Il
millions of people who in good fai
Il, bought liberty bonds and victor
u notes at par and extensive post WI
te speculation, followed TO day by 7
II stricted credit for legitimate industri
u expansion. AS matter of publ
," policy, we urge all banks TO give cred
U. preference to essential industries
't The federal reserve system shou
81 be free from political influence, Whit
&c Is quite as important as it indepen
&c ence of domination by financial col
al hina tions.
CT The High Cost Of Living.
The prime cause of the high co
o. of living has been first and foremo
- fifty per cent depreciation in Il
d' purchasing power of the dollar. due
or gross expansion of our currency al
10 credit. Reduced production. burde
III some taxation, swollen profits, and t
II increased demand for goods arisi1
H. from fictitious but enlarged buyil
H. power have been contributing caus
VI In a greater less deprop