Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-04-15


take our work with high hope, and
invite every factor in our citizen.
ship to join in the effort to find oul
normal, onward way again.
American People Appraise Situation
The American people have ap.
praised the situation and with that
tolerance and patience which go with
understanding, they will give to us
the influence of deliberate public
opinion which ultimately becomes the
edict of any popular government
They are measuring some of the
stern necessities, and will join in
the give and take which is so essen.
tial to firm re-estab lishment.
First in mind must be the solu.
ton of our problems at home, even
though some phases of them are in
separately linked with our foreign re-
lations. The surest procedure in
every government is to put it's own
house in order.
Must Restrict Expenditures.
l 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 Shout
ders of the American people.
One cannot be unmindful that
economy is much employed cry,
most frequently stressed in pre-elec-
tion appeals, but it is ours to make
1t an outstanding and ever-impelling
purpose in both legislation and ad-
ministratiOn. The unrestrained ten
denotes to needless expenditure and
the attending growth of public in
debtedness, extending from federal
authority to that Of state and mu-
and including the smallest
political subdivision, constitute the
most dangerous phase of government
today.
Nation Can Be Exemplar.
The nation cannot restrain except
in its own activities, but 1t can be
exemplar in a wholesome reversal.
The staggering load of war debt
must be cared for in orderly fNnding
and gradual liquidation. We shall
hasten the solution and aid effec-
lively in lifting the tax burdens If
we strike resolutely at expenditure.
It Is far more easily said than done.
In the fever of war our expenditures
were SO little questioned, the emer-
gency was so impelling, appropria-
tion was SO unimpeded that we little
noted millions and counted the treas
ury inexhaustible. 1t will strengthen
our resolution If we ever keep in
mind that continuation of such a
course means inevitable disaster.
Our current expenditures are run
ming at the rate Of approximately
five billions year and the burden is
unbearable.
There are two agencies to be en-
ployed in correction: One is rigid
resistance in appropriation and the
other is the utmost economy in ad-
ministration. Let us have both.
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. I wish it might
find its reflex in economy and thrift
among the people themselves, be-
cause therein lies quicker recovery
and added security for the future.
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 governmnt's
business and meet its current re-
Quirements and fixed debt charges.
Unless there are striking cuts in the
important fields of expenditures, re-
ceipts from internal taxes cannot
safely be permitted to fall below
$4,000,000,000 in the fiscal year
1922 and 1923. This would mean
total internal tax collections of about
one billion less than in 1920 and
one-half billion less than in 1921.
ReadjusJ internal Taxes.
The most substantial relief from
the tax burden must come for the
present from the readjustment of
internal taxes, and the revision or
repeal of those taxes which have be-
come unproductive and are so arti-