The Washington times., 1921-04-12

You have been called In extraord.-
nary session to give your considern-
tion to national problems far too
pressing to be long neglected. We
face our tasks of legislation and ad.
ministration amid conditions as diff
ficult as our Government has ever
contemplated. Under our political
system the people of the United States
have charged the new Congress end
the new administration with the so
lution-the readjustments, reconstruc-
ton, and restoration which must fol-
low in the wake of war.
II may be regretted that we were
so lily prepared for wars aftermath.
80 little made ready to return to 'he
ways of peace. but we are not to be
discouraged. Indeed we must be the
more firmly resolved to undertake our
work with high hope, and invite every
factor in our citizenship to join in
the effort to find our normal. onward
way again.
The American people have appraised
the situation. and with that tolerance
and patience which go with under
standing they will give to us the in
huence of deliberate public opinion
which ultimately becomes the edict ,f
any popular government. Tney are
measuring some of the stern neras-
stiles. and will join in the give and
take mich I. se essentiai to Arm re-
First in mind must be the solution
OF our problems at home. even though
some phases of them are inseparably
linked with our foreign relations. The
surest procedure in every government
Is to put it's own house in order.
MUST RESTRICT EXPENDITURES.
1 know of no more pressing prob
lem at home than to. restrict our ma
tional expenditures within the limits
OF our national income. and at the
same time measurably lift the bur-
dens of war taxation from the shoul-
ders or the American people.
One can not be Hnmindful that econ
omy Is much-employed cry, most
frequently stressed in prediction ar-
peals, but IL Is ours to make IL an
outstanding and ever-impelling pur-
pose in both legislation and adminis-
tration. The unrestrained tendency
TO needless expenditure and the at
tending growth OF public indebted
ness, extending from Federal author.
ity to that of State and municipality
and including the smallest political
subdivision, constitute the most dem
gerous phase of government today
me nation can not restrain except
in Its own activities, but il can be
exemplar In a wholesome reversal
The staggering load of war debt
must be cared for in orderly funding
and gradual liquidation. We shall
hasten the solution and aid effectively
In lifting the tax burdens IL we
strike res, 'utely at expenditure. 1t
Is far more easily said than done. In
m ~
were so little questioned, the emer-
gency was so impelling. approp.la-
tion was so unimpeded that we little
noted millions and counted the
Treasury inexhaustible. 1t will
strengthen our resolution IL we ever
keep in mind that continuation of
such course means inevitable dis
aster.
Our current expenditures are run
ming at the rate of approximately
Ave billions a year, and the burden
is unbearable. There are two agencies
to be employed in correction: One is
rigid resistance in appropriation and
the other is the utmost economy in
Administration. Let us have both. l
have already charged department
heads with this necessity. / am sure
Congress will agree: and both Con-
gress and the Administration may
safely count on the support of all
right-minded citizens. because the
burden Is theirs. The pressure for
expenditure, swelling the flow in one
locality while draining another. is
sure to defeat the imposition of just
burdens. and the effect of our citizen
ship protesting outlay will be whole
some and helpful. l wish IL mtEht
find it's reflex In economy and thrift
among the people themselves be-
cause therein lies quicker recovery
and added security for the future.
THE REVENUES NECESSARY.
The estimates OF receipts and ex-
penditures and the statements as to
the condition OF the Treasury which
the Secretary of the Treasury is pre-
pared to present to you will Indicate
what revenues must be provided in
order to carry on the Governm ent's
business and meet its current re-
quirements and fixed-debt charges.
Unless there are striking cuts in the
important fields of expenditure, ie-
ceipts from internal taxes cannot
be permitted to fall below
x4. 600. .OOO, 900 in the fiscal years 1922
and 1923 This would mean total in
ternal tax collections OF about cne
billion less than in 1920 and onc-half
billion less than I'm 1921.
The most substantial relief from
the tax burden must come for the
present from the readjustment OF in
ternal taxes, and the revision or re-
peal OF those taxes which have be-