The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1925-12-11
CONGRESS GIVEN
COOLIDGE MESSAGE
Condition Of Country Is One
Of Progress and Prosperity
Approves Revenue Bill.

Washington.-In his message to the
SiXty-ninth congress, President Cool
idge said that the general condition
ef the nation is one Of progress and
prosperity. The President stated that
be approved Of the new revenue bill
as framed by the house ways and
means committee. The Presidents
message in part is as follows:
Members Of the Congress:
In meeting the constitutional re-
quirements Of informing the congress
upon the state Of the Union, it is ex-
ceedingly gratifying to report that the
general condition is one Of progress
and prosperity.
For Government Economy.
Il Is a fundamental principle Of our
country that the people r sovereign.
They hold inviOlate in their own hands
the Jurisdiction Over their own free
dom and the ownership Of their own
property. The wealth Of our country
is not public wealth, but private
wealth. Il does not belong to the gov
eminent, It belongs to the people. It
Is always necessary to keep these
principles in mind in the laying Of
taxes and in the making Of apprO-
p%riations. All proposals for assuming
new obligations ought to be postponed,
unless they are reproductive capital in
vestments or are such as are absO-
Iutely necessary at this time.
It has always been our policy to
retire Our debts.
The taxpayer will be required to
produce nearly twice the amount Of
commodities to pay his debt If the dol
lar returns to the 1913 value. The
more we pay while prices are high,
the easier it will be.
There is room for further economy
IN the cost of the federal government,
hut a comparison Of current eXpendi-
lures with pre-war expenditures is not
unfavorable to the efficiency with
which government business is now be-
ing done.
I believe that present federal ex-
penses are not far out Of line with
pre-war expenses. We have nearly
accomplished the deiatiOn.
Budget
The congress has wisely set up the
bureau Of budget.
This gives a centralized authority
where a general and comprehensive
understanding can be reached Of the
sources Of income and the most eQui
table distribution Of expenditures. How
well 1t has worked is indicated by the
fact that the departmental estimates
for 1922, before the budget law, were
$4yO6S,OOO,OOO while the budget esti
mates for 1927 are SO, 156 100000. Thi;
latter figure shows the reductions IL
departmental estimates for the com
ing year made possible by the opera
ton of the budget system that thu
congress has provided.
Taxation.
The purpose of reducing expendi
lures is to secure a reduction In
taxes. That purpose is about to b.
realized. With c~Ommendsble prompt
ness the ways and means cOmmitte
Of the house has undertaken in ad
vance of the meeting Of the congress
TO frame a revenue act. In it's presen
form it should provide sufficient rev
niue for the government. I approve 0
the bill in principle.
I am advised that the bill viii b
through the house by Christmas. Tn
bin should reach me prior to Marc
10.
Foreign Relations.
The policy of Our foreign relation.
casting aside any suggestion Of fore
rests solely on the foundation {
peace, good will, and good works.
1t seems clear that it is the redu
ton of armies rather than Of navi'
that is Of the first importance to Il
world at the present time.
Court Of international Justice.
Pending before the senate for nea
" three years is the proposal to a
here to the protocol establishing Il
Permanent Court Of Information
Justice. A well-established line
~precedents mark Americas effort
effect the establishment Of a court
this nature.
Foreign Debts.
Gradually, settlements have be-
made which provide for the liquidati
Of debts due to our government fro
foreign governments.
immigration.
While not enough time has elaps
to afford a conclusive demonstrate
such results as have been secured
dictate that our immigration law is
the whole beneficial. It is undOubtC
" a protection to the wage earners
this country.
National Defense.
Never before in time Of peace h
our country maintained so large a
effective a military force as It n
has. The army, navy, marine cor
National Guard, aRd organized
Friendship