The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-10
FULL TEXT OF BURROWS KEYNOTE SPEECH At OP cow

lavish expenditure, attended by
mounting indebtedness. The
burden of greatly increased taxa
ton must shackle enterprise and
diminish employment. 1t adds
almost crushing weight to the
cost Of living and closes the doors
Of opportunity. Excessive public
expenditures create a fatal ex-
ample, stimulating prodigality and
waste among all the people in
every form Of activity. Public
economy promotes individual initi-
alive and prevents that reliance
upon paternalistic government
people and brings with 1t the de-
pressing rule OF bureaucracy.
Present Condition.
AS an illustration Of present
conditions, the per capita expenses
Of the United States Government
in the fiscal year of 1910 were
STA; in 1919, the year Of the
peak Of expenses, they were $173.-
81, and for the last year they
were 1894, more than fourfoId
those OF 1910. So phenomenal an
increase must arouse the attention
OF every patriotic citizen. 1t is
not at all probable that any rates
will be increased or new taxes inn.
posed, but the recent revenue law
Is not the last word.
To secure these most desirable
objects Of economy an active cam
paign Of education must be con-
Quoted similar to that in the free.
silver contest Of 1895. There are
certain persistent fallacies which
must be dispelled. One Of them
results in thoughtlessness or in.
difference to the evils of swollen
taxation. Another IL that the,
final burden Of public levies rests
upon those who first make pay
mentS to the tax collector. On
the contrary, the general tendency
OF all taxation is to diffuse itself
upon all consumers whether tax.
payers or not with considerable
additions as the burden is passed
along.
Still another fallacy is a preva-
lent opinion that excessive sur.
taxes are desirable and result in
larger revenue. That excessive
rates are not helpful under ordi.
nary circumstances can readily
be demonstrated, but this is start
hngly true 80 long as invest
ments in tax-exempt securities
are possible. AS a proof of the
futility of these high rates, it IL
to be noted that in 1915 when the
total surtaxes were 1921, 800, 900
and the highest rate Is per cent,
$61 100000 of these taxes were
collected from incomes in excess
Of $500. 900; but in 1921 when sur.
tax collections were SAIL 300. 00o.
over three times as great, under
a maximum rate of S. per cent,
the collections from incomes of
$4,000 and over were only
about 100000 more than in
1915, or $4,000, 900. No one here
will advocate a system which
would relieve wealth from paying
Its proper share, but careful
thinking will show the absurditv
OF the present rates, entirely
1ustifiable in time of war but not
in time of peace.
Importance Of Revenue.
The demagogue may say to the
unthinking. See how we are tax
ing the rich; and then In q soft
aside say to the great capitalist,
How excellent an avenue of
escape we are providing for you"
The indirect effect of high sur.
taxes In Withholding funds from
such investments as would quick
en- industrial expansion is even
more serious than the diminishing
revenue. Present problems Of rev
enue and expenditure are SO COM
manding in Importance as to call
into action the highest sentiments
OF patriotism, for economy in ex.
penditures and a rational fiscal
system are alike essential for the
prosperity ana for the happiness
of the people.
The Federal Reserve System.
which serves as a buIwark in the
financial life of the nation and
was SO helpful during the war,
should be left alone. It should
be free from the touch of the
political spokesman, and all it's
operations should be managed for
the accomplishment of the ex-
cellent purposes for which it was
intended.
The Republican party stands
now as always firmly for law en-
forcement. Laws are not to be
observed merely by those who
favored their enactment but by
everyone in this broad land. Dis.
regard of existing enactments
breeds disrespect and disorder
and even tends to anarchy.
Furthermore, hasty changes in
existing laws or regulations can
not be approved. If that were
the case, all our policies would
be like the shifting sands of the
sea, which are scattered by wind
and wave.
The frightful crimes of lynch
law have shown some decrease
in recent years, but it is for us
to make every effort to remove
this disgraceful blot upon our
civilization.
There is absolute necessity for
an intelligent policy of conserva.
ton Of our natural resources for
the prevention of waste and of
the even more dangerous evils
of monopoly. Let us have no
lack of vision for the future.
This means a conservation of
our forests, of our water power,
Of our minerals. of our coal and
our oil. of the fish of the sea
and the birds of the air. No
hundred-year franchises should
be given. nor should any grant
be made of that which the Nation
should reserve for its future pro.
lection.
COnscript Wealth.
We have abhorred war, and
never more than now. But IL
again that which we deplore
should happen, and we should be
involved in another deadly con.
flict, let us establish a system
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