Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-03
MAY AFFECT APPROPRIATIONS
Legislation Depending Upon the Revenue
Bill.
Congress May BE Liberal If 1t Be-
comes a Law, If Not, Economy
Will Prevail.

There are considerations attached to the
revenue bill which the House has sent to
the Senate not to be COMPOUNDED with the
partisan questions involved. These relate
to the amount Of the appropriations to be
made by this Congress. The leaders of
both parties express desire to deal liber-
ally with the country. A niggardly policy
Is not popular, and it f. sometimes crime.
But. obviously, when receipts are small,
expenditures must be small. The govern
ment can no more afford than can an indi-
vidual to make large outlay on a limited
income.
Failure ns n Money Producer.
The present condition of the treasury Is
we'll understood. Mr.. Carlisle's rosy hopes
for the future may or may not be realized.
There may be concealed somewhere about
the Wilson tariff law a surprising capacity
to raise surplus revenue. But the fact
remains patent to the republicans and to
many democrats that up to this time the
law as money producer Is failure. The
treasury under its operations has been run
ming behind, and pinchings here and there
have been severely felt. Unless the law is
changed so as to yield larger returns will
not this condition of affairs continue? Will
not the government be forced to go upon
short commons for some time to come?
Senator Aldrich pointed out the neces-
sites of the case only a short time ago.
He told The Star that, unless there were
larger collections by the government, ex-
penditures would have to be cut. Congress
at that time was waiting for Mr.. Carlisle 8
report with the declared purpose Of turn
ing over all of the treasury figures to an
expert. Economy was the cry in both
houses. The fear existed that conditions
were not favorable to the. passage OF any
revenue message at this session. The one
thing appearing necessary. therefore, was to
pruning
knife as industriously as possible.
The House Revenue Din.
The Presidents action in the Venezuelan
case suddenly put everything in a new light
and on a new basis. revenue measure
was made possible in one, day, and became
an accomplished fact so far as the House
was concerned in another day. This meas
ure adds not less than forty millions per
annum to the governments feeeipts. and,
If it becomes a law, will ease the running
of every governmental department.. The
harder features of the economy decided up
en- will not be necessary. Congress Will be
able to take different account of public
works, and provide for them In way COM
mensurate with their merits land import
ance. The pruning knife will not need to
have SO sharp an edge put on 1t.
EARLY Action Should Ne Taken.
And herein appears another reason why
early action one way or the other by the
Senate on the revenue bill should be taken.
The appropriation bills have not as yet
been begun by the House committee charged
with their preparation. The estimates are
at hand how ever, and everything is in
readiness. The size of these bills must de-
pend upon the fate Of the revenue bill II
that is not to become a law: II the treasury
is to be required to look only to the Wilson
law for support. then the republicans OF, the
House and Senate will feel Obliged to make
their figures square with what the Wilson
law has actually shown itself able to ac-
complish, rather than what Mr.. Carlisle, in
moments of extreme partisan con-
1dence, feels justified in predicting for it..
On the other hand. the passage of the rev.
enue measure by the Senate and its ap-
proval by the President would produce ap-
propriations by this Congress In full ac-
c6rdanoe with what the leaders Of both
parties at heart desire and think the coun-
try entitled to.
No Program Arranged.
No program in detail, based upon rigid
economy, has as yet been arranged. Even
If found necessary, it will be difficult to ar
range. The country, it is pointed out, has
grown up to liberal treatment by SUCH
stages as now make such a policy almost
imperative. Nearly all big expenditures
appear equally meritorious. But business
is business. The rule Is inexorable: Small
receipts small expenditures.