Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-04-23

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treasury. am advised by the
Director Of the Bureau of the Budget
mat careful computation discloses
that there are bills pending that are
seriously pressed for passage, not
including the bonus, which would
increase the expenditures of the
Federal Government for next year
by about $500, 10000 This would
mean that outside of the Post Office
department, which is practically
selfsustaintng, the present rate of
expenditure would be more than
doubled. Each one of these items
taken BY itself Is not large. and Its
supporters argue that certainly the
government can afford to make this
small additional payment. But TAX
en- In the aggregate they make the
stupendous sum I have mentioned.
and their assumption by the Gov
eminent would mean nothing less
than financial disaster to the Nation.
The law of service must be applied
10 this situation. Our country ia
very rich, but were its possessions
increased many fold, it would not be
warranted in paying out money ex-
cept for value received. Value re-
ceived on the part of the Govern
ment Is estimated by a general
consideration of all the attending
conditions. At present our country
does not need a greater outlay Of
expense, but a greater application Of
constructive economy.
Same State Of Mind
The. same state of mind is revealed
again In the determined resistance
which IL made to the adoption of a
sound method Of taxation. The
main argument of the opposition
can all be reduced to the SUPPOSE
ton that the general public can be
relieved OF taxation and a greater
proportion Of taxes laid on the rich.
shall not examine the soundness
OF this proposal, the economic injury
which 1t would infiict, or its i'm
possibility as a working principle.
l mention 1t as another example of
an attempt to minister to q suppos-
ed desire to evade the law. of SER
vice. 1t seems as though the pub
TIC Is assumed TO desire to have the
advantages Of a government with
out paying it's part Of the cost of
maintaining It. Besides being con-
Vlnced that such q result is utterly
impossible Of accomplishment, I am
even more firmly Of the belief that it
misrepresents the general attitude
or the public mind. Moreover. the
success of the Government does not
Tic In wringing all the revenue il
can from the people. but in making
tneir burden as light and fairly
distributed MS possible, consistent
with the proper maintenance of the
necessary public functions. The
Government Itself. in order to be
successful, and all of those con-
nected with 1t, must put all of their
energy upon what they can do for
the people, not upon what they can
get out of them.
These are some Of the reasons which
reveal to us why, in our domestic af-
1airs. we must be possessed of accu-
rate Information of the doinss and
needs or others, In order that we may
best serve ourselves by serving them
through appropriate action. We are
all part of one common country, To
be In . healthy and successful con-
oition economically, means n free in
terplay OF competition in service based
upon that mutual faith in each other
which We term public confidence. Not
Withstanding the disturbing character
OF recent revelations, notwithstanding
the enormous pressure for the passage
OF legislation which would greatly in
crease the cost of maintaining the
Government Of the United States, not
withstanding the failure Of a majofi-
~ OF the Congress up to the present
time accurately to comprehend and ex-
peditiously to minister to tho need of
taxation reform, 1 believe that the re-
quirements of economy and greduced
taxes will be met in a way moi fiicon-
sistent with the great resources Of our
country.
Fundamentally Sound
While have thought it desirable to
point out dangerous tendencies, L
know that with few exceptions the
management OF our Government has
been and Is in honest and competent
hands, that its finances are sound and
we'll managed, and that the business
interests Of the Nation, including the
owners, managers and employees, are
representative Of honorable and pa
economic condition warrants a contin-
uation OF confidence and prosperity.
America Is sound. 1t
has both the power and disposition
to maintain itself in a healthy econo-
mic and moral condition. But Ii can
not do this by turning all its thoughts
in on itself, or my making it's material
prosperity its supreme choice. Sell
fishness is only another name for sui
eide. A nation that is morally doad
will soon be financially dead. The
progress Of the world rests on cour-
age, honor and faith. If America
wishes to maintain its prosperity 1t
must maintain its ideals.
When we turn to our foreign rela-
lions, we see the working out of the
same laws. If there is one ideal of
national existence to which America
has adhered more consistently than to
any other, 1t has been that of peace.
Whatever other faults may be charged
to our country, 1t has never been quar-
relsome. belligerent. or bent on mill
tary ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. After all. the
main support of peace is understand
ing. 1t is a matter of accurate infor-
nation by one government and one
people about other governments and
other peoples. There is likewise in-
volved the same law Of service.
Measured BY Service
If our country Is to stand for any,
thing in the world. If 1t is to repre-
sent any forward movement in human
progress, ~hese achievements will be
measured in no small degree by what
1t Is able to do for others. Up to lit
tie moro than 25 years ago, America
gave almost its entire attention to self
In that 1t achieved an
unequaled success. The service which
IL rendered to others was to a consid-
cradle degree one of example. 1t re-
vealed the ability of the people to take
charge Of their own affairs. 1t DEM
onstrated the soundness and strength
of self government under free insti-
tutions, while affording q refuge for
the oppressed of other lands. The
great influence which the mere exist
ence of American institutions exercised
,,.an,, 4ho rasf OF the world would be