The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-07

rent receipts over. current expenditures |
can be realized and should be applied
to the floating debt. All branches OF
the government should cooperate toi
see that this program is realized
1 cannot overemp hasize the necessity
of econ onay In government appropria-
tons and expenditures and the avoid
ance by the congress OF practices which
take money from the treasury by in
Gefinite Or revolving fund approprla-
lions The estimates for the present
year show that over billion dollars
of expen 5itures were authorized by the
last congress. in addition to the
amounts shown in the usual compiled
statements of appropriations. This
strikingly illustrates the importance of
making direct and specific appropria-
tons The relation between the cur
rent receipts and current expenditures
of the governm ent during the present
fiscal year, as well as during the last
half of the last fiscal year, has been
distributed by the extraordinary bur-
dens thrown upon the treasury by the
transp ortation act, in connection with
the return of the railroads to private
control. Over $500, 900 has already
been paid to the railroads under this
acts 8 100000 during the present
fiscal year.. and, it is estimated further
payments aggregating possibly $685.
100000 must still be made to the rail-
roads during the current year. 1t is
obvious these large Payments have al
ready seriously limited the govern
ment's progress in retiring the floating
debt.
Must Revise Taxes.
Closely connected with this, it seems
to me. is the necessity for an immedi-
ate consideration of the revision of our
tax laws. Simplificatiof of the income
and profits taxes has become an inn
mediate necessity. These taxes per-
formed an indispensable service during
the war The need for their simplifi-
cation, howe .r. is very great in order
to save the taxpayer inconvenience
and expense, and in order to make his
liability more certain and definite.
Other and more detailed recommended
tons with regard to taxes will no doubt
be laid before you by the secretary of
the treasury and the commissioner of
internal revenue.
It is my privilege to draw to the at
tention of congress for very sympa-
thetic consideration the problem of
providing adequate facilities for the
care and treatment of former members
of the military and naval forces who
are sick or disabled as the result of
their participation in the war. These
heroic men can never be paid the
money for the service they patriotic
ally rendered the nation. Their re-
ward will lie rather in realization of
the fact that they vindieated the rights
of their country and aided in safe
guarding civilization. The nations
gratitude must be effectively revealed
to them by the most ample provision
for their medical care and treatment
as well as for their vocational train
ing and placement. The time has
come when a more complete program
can be formulated and more satisfac-
torily administered for their treatment
and training, and I earnestly urge that
the congress give the matter it's early
consideration. The secretary of the
treasury and the board for vocational
education will outline in their annual
reports proposals covering medical
care and rehabilitation which 1 am
sure will engage your earnest study
and congnand your most generous sup
port.
Must Help Agriculture.
Permit me to emphasize once more
the need for action upon certain mat
tiers upon which 1 dWeIt at some
length in my message to the second
session OF the Sixty-sixth congress-;
the necessity, for example, of encour-
aging the manufacture of dyestuffs
and related chemicals; the importance
of doing everything possible to pro-
mote agricultural production along
economic lines to improve agricultu
raj marketing and to make rural life
more attractive and healthfuI; the
need of a law regulating cold storage
/ in such a way as to limit the time
during which goods must be kept in
storage, prescribing the method of dis
posing of them if kept beyond the
permitted period and requiring goods
released from storage in all cases to
| bear the date of their receipt in which
| it would be of more service if it were
provided that all goods released from
| cold storage for Interstate shipments
| have plainly marked upon each pack
1 age the selling or market price at
| which they went into storage, in order
| that the purchaser might be able to
| learn what profits stood between him
and the producer or the wholesaler.
Indeed, it would be very serviceable to
the public If all goods destined for in
! terstate commerce were made to carry
| upon every packing case whose form
made it possible. a plain statement of
4 the price at which they left the hands
| of the producer. / respectfully call
your attention also to the recommen-
dations Of the message referred to
with regard to a federal license for all
corporations engaged in interstate
| commerce.
! In brief, the immediate legislative
need of the time is the removal of all
obstacles to the realization of the best
ami billions of our people in their sew
eral classes of employment and the
Strengthening of all instrumentaIities
by which difficulties are to be met and
Iremoved and justice dealt out, whether
| by law or by some form of mediation