Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-06
UNCLE SANS NEW YEAR
How the First Of July Gam, to Have That
Honor.
A Change That Was Made In 1643-
Levi Woodbury. the Author
of 1t.

Uncle Sam hos just had a new year day
Why does the fiscal year end in the middle
of the calendar year? This is a question
which a good many people ask every year,
when the mass of dry figures announcing
the CLOSE of the fiscal year. make their
appearance. But 1t is a question more
easily asked than answered. in detail. at
least. Ask any treasury official and he will
tell you learnedly that it is more co1ven-
lent, since Congress meets in December, to
have the year end several months before
that time, in order that reports and esti-
mates may be made up in readiness for its
consideration. But that is about all you
will get, though possibly some of he more
accurate of them will tell You that the
change was made in 1873.
SO 1t was. but the agitation necessary to
bring 1t about was begun rearly decade
earlier. In 1884 Secretary of the Treasury
Woodbury., in his annual report. said: 1T
appears to the undersigned that change
IN. the fiscal year and of the time at which
the annual appropriations begin would be
great improvement in the financial oper-
atoms of the government. If the year was
to commence after the last day in March
instead OF September. and the annual ap-
preparations begin from the same date,
many delays and enbarra ssmen:s could be
avoided. and the information on the re-
oeipts ana expenditures of the previous
year to be laid before Congress each ses-
sion would be much more full and ac-
cGrate."
Mr.. Woodbury's Efforts.
In 1896 and 1888 Secretary Woodbury.
again called the attention Of Congress to
this subject, and in 1889 gave them part
ing shot on the subject by saying: "a
change in the commencement of the fiscal
year is again recommended. for reasons
Ohy01IS tn need re-,ati.i,,,
The keeping and understanding of our
public accounts cf receipts and expenditures
ana of fore.gn trade and tonnage would
likewise be much modified Il the year for
all of them were made to begin at the same
date ana to correspond with the commence
ment of the calendar year. In that event
| il the appropriations for permanent and
ordinary purposes were made for one year.
with authority TO expend fifth quarter at
the same rate when no new legal provision
should intervene most of the existing diff
faculties and confusion in the present sys-
TEN would De obvated."
Curousy. MIR. Woodbury., after hammer
ing away at Congress on this subject for
several years, was able to himself partici-
pate in the passage of the law which made
the change he desired. On his retirement
from the cabinet at the end of Van Buren's
term in ISL he stepped directly into the
Senate, to which he had been elected g.
short time before the end of his cabinet
term. In the following January Senator
Evans of Maine offered a bill changing the
fiscal year Of the government to begin
July l and end with June 30. He made
only few remarks upon it, and was fol-
lowed by Senator Buchanan, afterwa I'd
President in its support. Mr.. Evans said
the object of the bin had long been desired
and that the Senator from New Hampshire
Mr.. Woodbury., had recommended 1t while
Secretary of the Treasury. Mr.. Woodbury.
spoke briefly in support of the bill, and it
passed. Then it went to the House and
passed there without any debate. apparent
ly, as the Congressional Globe reports none
The Law.
The bill as passed and placed upon the
statute books was entitled "A bill to define
and establish The fiscal year of the United
States" and provided THAT on and after
the LIST of July. 1913, the fiscal year of the
United States in all. matters of accounts,
receipts, expenditures. estimates and ap-
preparations, shall commence on the first
day or July OF each year; ard the reports
and estimates required to be prepared and
laid before Congress at the commencement
of each session, by the Secretary of the
Treasury, in obedience to the act of Con-
gress of the % Of September, 1889, and of
Marcn 10, 1900. shall be a report and esti-
mates for each fiscal year, commencing as
aforesaid and terminating on the :,0th day
CT June in the succeeding calendar year"
This bill, introduced in the Senate June
%, 1912, passed there promptly, and was
passed by the House August Is. and sign
ed by President Tyler. Prior to it's enact
ment the records and accounts of the
treasury were kept in accord with the
calendar year, though it was customary
for the Secretary Of the Treasury, in his
report to Congress- to indicate what the
imports and exports, receipts and eXpend-
lures, etc. had been up to September 80
Immediately preceding the meeting of the
Congress.