The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-27
RussiA'S FINANCIAL CONDITION.
Has n Deficit Despite the Largest Reve-
nue. in the World.

Has "a Dehcit Despite the Largest ReNe-
nue. in ihe World.
From the London Times.
A few weeks ago a Russian editor was
reprimanued for forestalling the Official
Gazette by retailing the rumor that the
financial estimates for 1898 would show
a deficit of 20. 200. 900 rubles. The ac-
tual deficit. as now shown by official
figures, is no less than LOG. 291. 200 rubles,
out of a total budgetary sum of one
milliard and a half. With an expected
excess OF 1879 04 rubles Of ordinary
revenue. there are only $500. 900 rubles
OF extraordinary income with which to
meet 123. 1854, 40 rubles of extraordinary
expenditure. Compared with the esti-
mates of 1897, an Increase of about 49,
600. 900 rubles in ordinary revenue and
Sc, 200, 900 rubles in ordinary expenditure
Is foreseen curing 1898. Therefore all
the weight of the budget this year falls
upon the ordinary revenue assisted by
the savings of former years In order to
cover up the above mentioned
deficit. But this deficit. with the 50.00o,-
900 rubles increase of the Russian ma
tional debt during last year for the
state purchase of railways. represents
for the most part a productive and re-
munerative outlay on railway construc-
ton and equipment. This is theoretlc-
ally correct, but some years will have
to elapse before II is all refunded, espe-
cia'ly in the case of the Siberian rail-
way.
The extraordinary and unprecedented
activity in all railway work may be es-
timated by the fact that no less than
$3.50 yersts. or about 1850 miles, of new
railways were opened in 1897, and by
the following figures Of the present ex-
~traordinary budget: For construction
OF the Siberian railway. without rolling
stock. 37,i47 .020 rubles; for enterprises
a. .hA CaAnrfnr - flNHnU Tx
1863 rubles: for construction OF other rail-
ways OF general importance, 1861 1871
rubles; for construction OF local lines.
l0.O 900, 900 rubles, and for rolling stock,
40. 234, las rubles.
During the last 10 years the total ex-
cess of ordinary revenue over ordinary
expenditures is reckoned at 4s7 SOC. 900
rubles. there having been a minus-of
"a. 600. 600 rubles-only once. in 1891, on
account of the famine To this circum-
stance is attributed Mr.. Whites ability
to meet deficits OF extraordinary reve-
nue.. as in the present for 1885
without always having recourse TO bor-
rowing. Mr.. Whites nnafe.al report
TO the car this year is not. however,
without a certain tone of pessimism in
regard to the effects of last years bad
harvests ard the not very favorable In
dications for the crops of the coming
summer. With about p, 500. 600 tons OF
wheat and oats inc IL. 500. 900 tons OF
potatoes as the estimated product OF last
years harvest. Mr.. White considers this
enough for the needs OF the population,
but not sufficient to give the usual sur
Mus for export. TIE therefore warns
the council OF state that the influx OF
taxes during the ensuing IL months may
not be very abundant. although he cal
culates that the usual export OF grain
ought to be kept up by means OF tbs
large stocks known TO have been held In
reserve UP to the date OF the last har'
vest.
The expenditures Of the ministries o.
marine, Of war. Of agriculture and o
public instruction are respectively In
creased by 1000. 900. 1000. 900. 100000
and 800. 900 rubles. In spite Of the agi
tation all over the country for NOR
education and more schools. the educa
tom department. still has n 2S,ovo,