The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1925-12-10
MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT
PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY
FOR COUNTRY PICTURED
OKAYS TAX BILL

Auge Sdlu ludL the SeHeTdI cOuultlOl
of the nation is one of progress anC
prosperity. The President stated that
he approved of the new revenue bill
as framed by the house ways and
means committee. The President
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 et-
ceedingly gratifying to report that the
general condition Is one of progress
and prosperity.
For Government Economy.
1t is a fundamental principle of our
country that the people are 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. 1t does not belong to the gov
eminent, 1t belongs to he people. 1t
is always necessary to keep these
principles In mind in the laying of
taxes n in the making of appro-
priations. All proposals for assuming
hew obligations ought to be postponed,
unless they are reproductive capital In
Yestments or are such as are abso-
lutsly necessary at this time.
1t 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 1918 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,
but 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 def1ation.
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 it has worked is indicated by the
fact that the departmental estimates
for 1922, before the budget law, were
S4,068, 100000 while the budget esti-
mates for 1927 are $3,156, 100000. This
latter figure shows the reductions In
departmental estimates for the com-
ing year made possible by the opera
ton Of the budget system that the
congress has provided.
Taxation.
The purpose of reducing expendi-
lures is to secure a reduction in
taxes. That purpose is about to be
realized. With commendable prompt
ness the ways and mea committee
of the house has undertaken in ad-
vance of the meeting of the congress
to frame a revenue act. In It's present
form 1t should provide sufficient rev ;
enue for the government. l approve of
the bill in principle. {
1 am advised that the bill will be &,
through the house by Christmas. The
bill should reach me prior to March +,
10. {
Foreign Relations. F.,
The policy of our foreign relations,
casting aside any suggestion Of force,
rests solely on the foundation OF .
peace, good will, and good works. :
1t seems clear that 1t Is the reduc. :
ton Of armies rather than of navies :
that is of the first Importance to the ,
world at the present time. :
Court of International Justice. .
Pending before the senate for near.
~ three years is the proposal to ad
here to the protocol establishing the
Permanent Court of International :
Justice. A well-established line OF I
precedents mark Americas effort to Z
effect the establishment of a court OF |
this nature. =
Foreign Debts. :
Gradually, settlements have beer :
which provide for the liquidation q
Of debts due to our government from :
governments. =
immigration. b
While not enough time has elapsed !,
to afford a conclusive demonstration y
such results as have been secured In
dicate that our immigration law is or !,
the whole beneficial. 1t is undoubted a
a protection to the wage earners OF u
this country. u
National Defense. =
Never before in time of peace has .
our country maintained so large an( q
effective a military force as it now -
has. The army, navy, marine corps q
National Guard, and organized re