The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1921-04-21
HARDING FAVORS
A MODIFIED PACT
Allies Rights Must be Recognized
Separate Peace Treaty
Held inadequate.
LOWER TAXES AND PRICES
immediate Tariff Enactment Recon-
mended-Message Delivered in
Person to Congress.

- 49, AASS bLSooNoS ~
Congress President Harding declared
that a separate peace with the central
powers would be inadequate and that
h rights Of our allies should be rec
ognized. IAN association OF nations
could not be founded" he said, until
b world was at peace"
Following the custom revived by
Woodrow Wilson, President Harding
delivered the message to congress in
person.
The following is the text of the mes
cage:
Presidents Hardins's Message.
Members of the Congress:
You have been called in %extraordi-
nary session to give your considera-
ton to national problems far too press
ing to be long neglected. We face our
tasks Of legislation and administration
amid conditions as difficult as our gov
eminent has ever contemplated. IN
der u political system, the people
of the United States have charged the
new congress and the new administra-
ton with the solution-the readjust-
ments, reconstruction and restoration
which must follow in the wake of war.
1t may be regretted that We were so
lilly prepared for wars aftermath, so
little made ready to return to the ways
of peace, but we are not to be discour-
aged. Indeed, we must be the more
firmly resolved to undertake our work
with high hope and invite every factor
In nj citizenship to join in the effort
TO find our normal onward way again.
D,A 49,. l-,-. =. n.I..
The American people have apprais-
ed the situation and with that tOler-
ance and patience which go with un-
~derstanding 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 necessi-
ties and will join in the give and take
which is so essential to firm re-estab-
lishment.
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.
Economy is Urged.
| know of no more pressing problem
at home than to restrict our national
expenditures within the limits of our
national income and at the same time
m%easurably lift the burdens OF war
taxation from the shoulders of the
American people. One cannot be UNI
mindful that economy is a much en-
ployed cry, most frequently stressed in
prediction appeals, but il is ours to
make it an outstanding and ever inn
peting purpose in both legislation and
administration. The unrestrained ten
dency to needless expenditure and the
attending growth of public if4ebted-
ness extending from federal authority
to that of state and municipality and
including the smallest political subdi-
vision, constitute the most dangerous
phase of government today. The ma
ton cannot restrain except in its own
activities, but it ear be exempiar in a
wholesale reversal.
The staggering load OF war debt
must be cared for in orderly funding
and gradual liquidation. We shall has
ten the solution and aid effectively in
lifting the tax burdens if we strike
rcsolutely at expenditure. 1t is far
more easily said than done. In the
fever of war our expenditures were so
little questioned, the emergency was
so impelling, appropriation was so I'M
impaded that we little noted millions
and counted the treasury inexhausti-
bic. 1t will strengthen our resolution
if we ever keep in mind that a contin-
uatiGa of such a course means newt
able disaster.
Asks Thrift Among People.
Our current expenditures are run.
ming at the rate of approximately So.
900, GOA, 600 a year, and the burden is
unbeatable. 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. |
have already charged department
heads with this necessity. / am sure
congress- will agree; and both congress
and the administration may safely
count on the support of all rightmind-
ed 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 citizenship protesting out
lay will be wholesome and helpful. l
wish it might find its reflex in como
my and thrift among the people them
selves, because therein lies quicker re-
covery and added security for the flu
ture.
81, ,0oo, 900 Tax Revenue Needed.
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 or
der to carry on the governments bust
ness and make its current require
ments and fixed debt charges. Unless
there are striking cuts in the impor-
a n fields of expenditure, receipts
from the internal taxes cannot safely
be permitted to fall below $4,000, 000,-
600 in the fiscal years 1922 and 1928.
This would mean total internal tax
collections of about $1,000, 900, 900 less
than in 1920, and $500, OO0,0 900 less
than in 1921.
Internal Tax Readjustment.
The most substantial relief from the
tax burden must come for the present
from the readjhstment Of fnternal
taxes and the revision or repesl "