Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-25


The cutting down of appropriations isa ti:-sss
~hich promises much perpiexity for the dem.
ocratic majority Of the House. 1t is very
much easier thing to talk about reducing ex-
penditures than it is to make the reduction.
Inc appropriations committee is constructed
With ''retrenchment and reform in view, and
In all probability there will be some very deep
cutting by that committee. But that commit
tee nave not alone the say as to expenditures.
lie only bills they have charge OF are the leg
isiatiye, the sundry civil the general deficiency,
the District of Columbia and the Notifications.
lhe Indian. the naval. the army and military
academy. the consular and diplomatic, the
river anu har5or, the agric ulturai and the post
once appropriation bills are distributed among
other committees. and unless all agree upon a
general policy the efforts of one committee to
economlze VIII not be very productive OF re-
suits, and there Is the probability OF very dis
Proportionate appropriations. A number OF
the Appropriations made by the last Congress
are continuous and cannot be cut off except
by legislation or involve. by reason OF con-
tracts Tor work started, additional appropria-
nons by this Congress. These present Ques-
lons that are very difficult to deal with
PROPOSITIONS THAT MIGHT CAUSE CONTEST.
1t has been proposed that clause be inserted
in one of the appropriation bills repeating the
sugar bounty and the steamship subsidy, but
this is thing that will be very difficult OF
accomplishment and the attempt might result
III a very long session with hot figh. between
the House and Senate, and finally i'll the fail
ure OF the bill upon which the ride: was placed.
These expenditures must be continued or there
VIII be tremendous fight. Very rigid econ
omy may be put in practice in the ordinary
government expenditures, but at the best, very
many millions cannot be saved by cutting OF
IA m r,fffn }nvCs
contingent expenses IN the ordinary govern
ment service. Beyond these things there is
very little that Mr.. Holman's committee has
control OF, and AS all Offset for the political
necessity OF o reduction OF expenditures. there
are very urgent demands for unusual appro-
priatIons, as III the case of the worlds fair and
provisions for the payment OF Indian claims
which were appropriated for by the last Con-
gress, but not paid for the reason that there
Was not over much money in the treasury.
10 make any material reduction in the appro-
prlatlons there must be some very deep cutting
by the several other committees having appro-
prlatlou bills In charge, aud there will be some
dliiculty in bringing about concert of action.
II is expected, for instance, that there will be
a very earnest demand for an increase all along
the line OF the establishment Of the Agricul-
tural department, and in the present state of
political apprehension it will require q great
STOCK OF courage to refuse anything that 10 de-
manded in the name Of the farmer.
THE NAVY AND DIPLOMATIC SERVICE.
In view Of the possibility Of q brush with
Chile and in the light OF our experience of
doubt and anxiety, being threatened by for
eign complications, propositions to reduce ex-
pendltures for the navy may find many i'm
pediments in their way. The same complica-
tions may inspire the trainers OF the consular
and diplomatic appropriation bill with the
Idea that our international affairs are Of such
Importance as to demand especial attention
and hberailty OF provisions for the diplomatic
service. The postal service is spreading and
there is demand for greater postal facilities.
which may increase the expenditures beyond
the receipts.
I. All these things stand in the way Of the pol
Icy OF economy and present difficulties which
wiH require great skill to overcome.
From the contemplation Of this situation the
thoughts OF the economists naturally turn to
the river and harbor expenditures There is
some talk OF having no river and harbor bill or
OF greatly reducing the appropriations sor the
Improvement OF waterways. But the very
mention OF this idea provokes a vigorous pro-
test, and it develops that the west must have
q large expenditure for the improvement and
enlargement of facilities for water transporta-
ton whatever else may suffer.