Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-02


Economy by the present House is not only /
considered desirable thing a matter Of party |
policy, but IL is a necessity, there being no |
large surplus in the treasury TO draw upon. IL
may prove n great puzzle for the committees |
having appropriation bills in charge TO deter |
mine where they can make cut. but the fact
that they have got TO make il may inspire them
to action. The fact that Secretary Foster, be-
SIDES failing to expend some appropriations
made by the last Congress, refused TO recon-
mend any OF the increases asked for by the sew
erai heads OF departments and bureau chiefs las
not attracted great amount of attention from
nose who are usually interested in this matter
OF appropriations. II is a fact, however. that
throughout the book of estimates he expressly
oisappto'es every proposed increase. This
might De done as clever political move for tie
purpose OF forestalling the action of tho demo-
cratic House, but there is a much more potent
reason than this for his action; the treasury is
not III condition to stand a continuation OF
the strain that was put upon il by the so-called
| billion-dollnr Congress. This Mr. Poster knows
| full well. He probably knows moreover or
has very good reasons 10 believe that the esti-
| mate OF money necessary for the payment of
pensions during the ensuing fiscal year Is very
much below what will be the actual needs.
PENSION APPROPRIATION.
q hundred and sixty-hve million dollars for
pensions will be followed by deficiency. For
| every pension granted the cash has got TO be
/ supplied, SO there can be no economizing there.
Threatened by international disturbances. there
| is a demand that our coast and sea defenses be
looked after. and there ID no very bright pros
meet for economists in that quarter. The
great, blizzardy, blooming and food
bearing northwest commands the consd-
| Grafton of the politicians of both parties,
| and even though it might be possible to cut on
| other sections of the country interested IN the
| river and harbor bill the people of that section
demand their water transportation aud mus.
| have il. When they get all get II. Tor that bill
| Is a potpIe into which everybodys hnger Is
| thrust There is another big appropriation
that cannot be cut much. Thus, in fact, every
| appropriation great and small. viii be defended
| in some quarter. 1t is the OF twelve men
all hungry and one seaman's biscuit TO go
| around
| A RECORD FOR ECONOMY.
1t is not the policy Of this Congress to meas
ure up the pile in the treasury and then divide
it up. The purpose is to cut expenditures to
the lowest possible figure and to make a record
for economy. 10 do this there has got 10 be
cutting all along the line. Ii will have TO be a
| deep cut and il will be a cruel cut The effort
to reassemble all the appropriation bills in the
committee on appropriations will probably fan
but 1t Is believed TO be the only sure way OF re.
ducing expenditures Each appropriation biil
gives power 10 the Committee having IT IN
charge. No committee having once got this
power wants to relinquish 1t. But a committee
having one bill is apt to consider merely how
many good things they can authorize the ex-
pendIture. Of money for, forgetting the fact
that several bills constructed on this plan VIII
make tremendous aggregate expenditure.
Zach committee feels that the other should do
the economizipg. As is shown by the state
ment prepared for the committee on rules,
comparing the expenditures before and since
the appropriation bills were distributed, the
. general increase has been steady year by year.
When the bills were in one committee they
, were in charge of thewatch dogs Of the
treasury. 1t is not possible to make up all
! the committees having charge of the expendi-
ture OF money under the present system In this
. way. There are not enough watch dogs to sc
around among them.
THE PART OF WATCH DOG.
, There are probably not dozen men in the
House who have the courage or the disposition
to play the part of watchdog. 1t is not pleas
ant duty. The watchdog is often out in the
cold and all the people about are throwing
stones at him when he makes too much noise
II he will not eat what is thrown to him as q
, bait he may often go hungry.
Cannon OF Illinois played the part OF watch
dog in the last Congress all alone and had q
very sorry time Of it. His failure stands
terrible example to others who would like Il
l try, but not quite sure of their strength
and holdfast qualities Randall did not gel
any very substantial reward for his services IN
TINS capacity. 10 Deprive MN OF supposed
auu Ao ~ ~. "S f';,,a 49,; Wy
If is now said has cost tbs nmhIic so dearly snd
is now embarrassing the democratic party in
their efforts toward economy. Mr.. Holman /,
just emerging from several years Of obscurity
| suffered because of his too close GUARDIANSHIP
of the treasury. He is painfully conscious 81
| the fact that il would be folly for him 10 ash
any Considerable favor of Lis colleagues in tbs
House. With every quality of simplicity. cor.
diality, amlability and personal peperosity
which should beget popularity. he is one of ne
least popular men In the House-for the sim.
Die reason that he is the best Of the breed a,
watchdogs
The watch dog must be eternalIv provIino
and barking and swapping at the heels Of his
associates. and must 20 hungry himself while
he sees that the rest do not run off with the
bacon. The men who will play this part are
very few. Besides the Speaker and the recog-
nized party leaders who are in his council. who
by reason of their responsibility to the party
are compelled to do all in their power TO serve
its policies, there are not more than half a
dozen men who are known to be determined
and courageous economists. All ioiu in one
voice to declare that appropriations mus. be
cut low--extremely decollette. When il come,
to cutting close to their local interests they cry
out. There may be some Randalis and Hoi
mans among the new men and some OF the old