Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-15
CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES
River and Harbor Improvements and Public
Buildings.
Appropriations Demanded - Impossf-
bfhfy of Retiring Greenbacks
Under the CiFcumstances.

1t fs going to be very difficult for Mr.
Reed and his lieutenants even with the
assistance of the administration, to keep
the appropriations at this session of Con-
gress down to the point OF extreme econ
omy regarded as necessary to make up for
the sncrtneSs of revenue. In this work Of
economy they will get very little assistance
from the democrats and very many il not
most of the republicans believe that their
own political future depends upon their
starting the public improvements which are
demanded by their districts. There is 4
strong conviction II at failure to provide
1or public works, the necessity of which
cannot be questioned, will not be longer
excused. The suggestion that the river and
narbor improvements, the construction of
dry decks and light houses and public
buildings in localities where large rentals
are now being paid, must wait for yet
another session is not popular III Congress-
II policy of such rigid economy is at
tempted to be enforced it will be severe
test OF the power of the Speaker over tire
House.
River and Earbor Bill,
The river and harbor committee intend to
bring in tiil to continue the work on the
various improvements that have been he
gun, and there is little doubt that bill
VIII go through. 1t is not thought that
the committee on naval affairs will do
much in the way of authorizing an increase
OF the navy, but the expectation is that
the Dill prepared by the Navy Department
Tor the construction of dry docks and for
the enlargement of the dock at League
Island So as to admit of the docking of
tne largest battle ships, will be reported
ana VIII be put through both houses Of
congress The pressing need of facilities
Tor docking the larger vessels of the navy
IS so apparent that there is likely to be
Ettie resistance to the measure.
Public Buildings.
The intimation has gone out that there is
but slim prospect for any of the 200 and
ODD public building bills now in the COM
mittee on public buildings and grounds,
and this has excited some irritation 1t is
more than likely that combinations will be
formed in the House to secure action on
these bills. Two hundred bills means 2Oo
members inter rested in them. and the posi-
bilities of combination are great.
The possibilities Of combination on other
measures for public Improvement are al
most as tempting to those who think their
reelection may be affected, and, therefore,
1t is not going to be easy to cut appropria-
tons greatly below the estimates of the
several departments. A hurry-up call has
SOhe oul IoT liie appTOpTld ions committee
10 get through with its work as speedily
as possible, on the theory that the sooner
these bills are disposed of the smaller will
be the sums they Will carry. AS long as
members of the House have hopes of get
ting what they want in special measures
they Will not be so persistent in assaults
upon the regular appropriations bills:
whereas, If so much time has gone by that
their only hope is in the regular bills they
will besiege the Senate to add amendments
which they can compel the House to ac-
cept Moreover, with the appropriations
out OF the way, adjournment can be forced
and the opportunity for indscriminate
legislation be cut off.
Retiring Grecnbacks.
1t is still Il matter of uncertainty what
the ways and means committee will do in
the direction of assisting the administration
in impounding the greenbacks. 1t is ac
krowledged that the greenbacks can be
got rid of only by having sufficient revenue
and there is difference Of opinion whether
they should proceed by providing for more
revenue or by attempting legislation direct
ly on the greenback subject.
The Secretary Of the Treasury can hold
the greenbacks in the treasury If he has
the redundancy Of revenue, which will per-
nit of that much idle money being held.
While the present revenues may be album
cant under a policy of strict economy 20
meet all the expenses of the government,
such economy may not be possible, and
Mr.. Dingley anticipates, little could be
dt ne toward retiring the Sreenbacks with
or without the Legislation which the Presi-
dent recommends.