Evening star., 1921-04-12
TEXT OF PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
WHICH CITES GREAT u. S. ISSUES

locality. while draining another, is
sure to defeat the imposition of
just burdens. and the effect of our
citizenship protesting outlay will
be wholesome and helpful. wish
it might find it's reflex in economy
and thrift among the people them
selves, because 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 Treas
ury is prepared to present to you
will indicate what revenues must
be provided in order to carry on
the govssnment's business and meet
HSeurre6t requirements and fxed-
debt chargeA Unless there are
striking cuts in the important
fields Of expenditure. receipts from
internal taxes cannot safely be per.
mitted to fall below $4,000, ,0oo, 900
in the fiscal years 1922 and 1928.
This would fhean total internal tax
collections Of about one billion
less than in 1880 and one-half bill
lion less than in 1921.
Must ResAjust Taxes.
The most substantial relief from
the tax burdens must come for the
present from the readjustment Of
internal taxes. and the revision or
repeal Of those taxes which have
become unproductive and are SO
artificial and burdensome as to de-
feat their own purpose. A prompt
and thoroughgoing revision Of the
internal tax laws. made with due
regard to the protection of the
revenues. IL, by my judgment. a
requisite to the revival Of business
activity in this country. 1t is
earnestly hoped. therefore, that
the Congress will be able to enact
without delay a revision Of the
revenue laws and such emergency
tariff measures as are necessary
to protect American trade and in
dustry.
1t Is Of less concern whether in
ternal taxation or tariff revision
shall come first than has been pop
ularly imagined, because we must
do both, but the practical course for
earliest accomplishment will read
lily suggest itself to the Congress.
We are committed to the repeal Of
tion of inequities and unjustifable
exasperations in the present sys-
tenn.
The country does not expect and
will not approve a shifting Of bur-
dens. It is more interested in wip-
ing out the necessity for imposing
them and eliminating confusion and
cost in the collection.
Instant Tariff Law Asked.
The urgency for an instant tariff
enactment, emergency in character
and understood by our people that
it is for the emergency only. can
not be too much emphasized. be-
lieve in the protection Of American
industry, and it is our purpose to
prosper America first. The privi-
leges Of the American market to
the foreign producer are offered
too cheaply today. and the effect on
much of our own productivity is
the destruction Of our self-reliance.
which is the foundation of the in.
dependence and good fortune OF our
people. Moreover, imports should
pay their fair share of our cost Of
government.
One who values American pros
perity and maintained American
standards Of wage and living can
have no sympathy with the proposal
that easy entry and the food of
imports will cheaper our costs Of
living. 1t Is more likely to destroy
our capacity to buy. Today Ameri-
can agriculture Is menaced. and its
products are down to pre-1ar nor
mails. yet we are endangering our
fundamental industry through the
high cost Of transportation from
farm to market and through the
influx Of foreign farm products, be-
cause we offer. essentially unpro-
tected, the best market in the
world. 1t would be better 10 err in
protecting our basic food industry
Continued on Page 4, Column -
.