The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-09
ODD GOVERNMENT EXPENSES.
Unfamiliar Purposes for which Thousands
OF Dollars Arc Paid Annually.

WASHINGTON. June S-The United States
| Government pays ont annually thousands Of
dollars for purposes which not one ctizcn In a
thousand knows anything about. Appropra-
lions for some OF these purposes have been
regularly made for years and will probably
continue to be made for many more to come.
Although slave trading Is generally supposed
to be n thing OF the past. the Government does
not think so This Is shown hv the fnct that
this country contributes annually 500 as its
share Of the expense OF keeping up nt Brussels
an institution known as the International Blu
rrau for the Repression OF the African Slave
Trade
Uncle Sam is deeply interested In ascertain
ing the size Of the earth over which he re-
Gently stretched out his mighty hand With
view ~ gaining the desired Information he
paws $1,000 annually. through the American
Embassy at Berlin. as his quota as member Of
the international Geodetic Association for the
Measurement OF the Earth. The records do
not show what progress the association is
| making toward reducing the size Of this planet
to cold figures, but the $1,000 is paid every
year.
In Brussels there 10 an International Bureau
for the Publication OF Customs Tariffs. 1t
costs money to maintain the bureau. and the
United States pay ST 1913 annually as their pro-
portionate share OF the expense. More expen-
sive still Is the annual mem bership fec OF tho
United States in another institution with head
quarters in Brussels. Every year S2,27O is
paid by this Government as a contribution to
the maintenance OF the International Bureau
OF Weights and Measures.
II costs the United States no less than Sl4.-
600 annual v to provide prisons for American
conNicts in foreign countries. These prisons are
under the Jurisdiction OF the consular officers
n various cities in China. Corea, Japan and
be maintained. ,neveTtheess The locations S Of
shsnshal 81 $50: YoKoTama sS 81 .55S fafIo S
soo For GeePng and feeding such pr,son,
these prisons $4,000 is set aside every year
The Secretary of the Treasury would doubt
less experience no difficulty in finding plenty
Of mcn.about Washington who would. without
remuneration. spend day watching the de-
struction by maccrat ion OF United States secur-
tiles. But to save the Secretary any possible
embarrassment. Congress has provided that
Who hc law say Ss OF
To witness he reduction Of the securities to
pulp; 50 a day for each day he may be 50
On the coast Of Morocco. at Tangiers and
cape Spartel. mariners used to experience
great di niculty in avoiding disaster on account
OF the absence OF warning night signals on the
shore. Lighthouses were sadly needed, and as
them Tho great ne att n"' ros% d
Lighthouses were established and the powers
are assessed so much annually Tor their main
this "Spense IS s335 u NE '"'''' ''"'eS In
1t is sometimes necessary for the United
States to bring hack to this country from
abroad persons charged with crime 1t is
rather expensive work. and for it there is an
annual appropriation OF $1,000.
This Government IL ever grateful for any
service rendered to its citizens in case Of marine
disasters 10y people Of foreign countries Such
services are usually substantially remem bered
and there Is "A special provision for them An
annual appropriation OF $4,000 is made for
expenses incurred in the acknowledgment
OF the services Of masters and crews OF foreign
vessels in rescuing American seamen and citi-
zcns from shipwreck." The Government also
In Panama in order that American sailors NAV
enjoy the benefits OF those institutions when
ever necessary.
The people OF Alaska. who inha bit the isI-
ands Of st Paul and st. George. receive special
consideration at the hands of the Government
Congress authorizes the Secretary OF the
Treasury to furnish them food fuel and
clothing. and for this purpose $lo.5OO is APP
prOpristed.
The Washington Monument comes in for a
good sized appropriation every year. In order
that it may he kept open to the public and re-
ceive the necessary repairs. Congress allows
the war Department mn annual appropriation
Of SLIGO The same department receives
So4G275 annually to be expended in provid-
ing artificial limbs for soldiers. and an addi-
tional sum OF S.. ZOO is appropriated for sur
giGa Appliances for the veterans.
The state department has a secret fund
which Is used for diplomatic purposes The
public knows absolutely nothing about this
fund and everything concerning il Is sur
rounded with the greatest air Of secrecy Out
OF il ar" paid the bills for entertaining foreign
visitors who may he tho guests OF the Govern
ment from time to time