The Hope pioneer., 1921-03-17

| not touched upon at the ner, bu.
that domestic reconstruction problems
formed the bulk Of the discussion
makes 1t a practical certainty that
the latter will receive first considera-
tion at the coming session. Tax re.
vision seems to have the right of way
over other questions and after it
comes the tariff. the problem being
i to lessen burdens and at the same
time provide adequate revenues. If
the excess profits tax Us repealed,
economies in governmental expendi-
lures will have to be instituted and
additional revenue from imports and
perhaps other sources will be re-
Quired.
President Harding has intimated
that an emergency tariff may be pro.
posed. but that final disposition of
the tariff question will await the rec
concentrations of a new tariff COM
mission to be constituted along scien.
tific lines. This commission is yet to
be appointed and its deliberations nee.
essarily will be prolonged. so that the
ultimate tariff bill of this administra-
tion does not loom as very near pos
sibility.
Secretary of the Treasury Mellon
has announced himself definitely for
economies and for the establishment
of national budget system. In u
letter to the banks Of the country he
has declared that, While the figures as
to the public debt and the current
operations of the treasury show that
the finances of the government are in
a sound position, the situation calls
for the utmost economy. The letter
covers the financial condition in con.
siderable detail and winds UP with
the statement: 1.-The people generally
must become more interested in saw.
ing the governments money than in
spending it. A thorough-going nation.
al budget system must be estab.
lished7and the governments expenses
brought into relation to its income"
Ever since Brig Gen. Charles G.
Dawes announced himself so posi-.
lively before a congressional commit.
tee on the subject of unbusiness-
like methods in the national depart
ments. and other matters, there has
been persistent talk that this admin.
istration would take energetic action
to reduce criticism in this respect.
Accordingly the President has gone
over tentative plans with Joint com.
mtttee from house and senate now
holding sessions in Washington. The
| plans which White House advices
state are approved by the President.
and will have the cooperation of the
cabinet, call for reorganization of
the executive departments to sys.
tematize administration. eliminate
duplication and reduce expenses. II
the program goes through 1t will be
the first shaking up Of departments
since the days nf Alexander Hamilton.
One of the proposed changes is con.
soli'lation under one head of4he War
aud Navy departments.
| One Of the first acts of President
Harding WAS to throw open the
White House gates to the public. And
the. public is reported to have availed
itse'e of the invitation to the beauti.
full grounds to the extent that some
came with soap boxes on which to
stand. while others mounted the slluul.
ders OF friends. in order to peer into
the windows Of the executive man.
sion. A serious question has arisen
as to how the democratic privilege
may be continued. the White House
rooms given air and sunshine and the
occupants allowed degree of privacy
somewhat greater than that Of a gold.
fish in bowl.
An indication of the attitude OF
President Harding and his admInistra.
ton to matters of turbulence among
our Latin-American neighbors was
po'ntedly brought out In strong notes
dispatched by Secretary of State
Hughes which had the effect Of halt.
ing hostilities between Costa Rica
and Panama. Although couched in
most courteous and diplomatic lam
suasc. the notes in reality were the
eagles scream, warning the countries
that the territorial boundaries OF
Panama had been fixed by a previous
arbitration inward made by Chief Jus.
tice White. and that they are the con.
Germ of thiy government which csn.
not regard forclble measures by either
party as justiiable. Tie belliterent.
were told to settle their diftererke,
| BY. orderly procedure.