New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-27
STRICT ECONOMY URGED.
PLAIN FACTS FOR HOUSE.
Dir. Hemenzoay Says Estimated
Expenses Mast Be Cut $42, 100000.
[FRoM TIE TRIBUNE BuREAu.l

Washington. Jan 2s-Representative Hemenway'
chairman OF the Committee on Appropriations
presented for the consideration OF the House TO-
day, a comprehensive estimst tie OF governmental
finances for the coming fiscal year. He said speak
ing by way Of introduction to the Urgent De-
ficiency bill which he had just called up
In view Of different statements made by mem
gested upon the ground that we have large sur
plus in the Treasury I think it my duty TO can Al
the real problem that this Congress IS called upon
TO solve 1t is this; How can We [eGu he n1sIing
mated expenses on the governments Ior TIC eN''9
The total estimates submitted at the beginning
of this session for ordinary expenses, exclusive OF
$5650lOO0 required to meet the sinking fund.- amount
to $727474.2O6 70.
Adding the above, to cover bills referred and
TO be referred carrying appropriations, the es-
umated of $1,000 900. also $iS4SA6. arbitrarily
cut from the river and harbor appropriation but
likely to be restored. Mr.. Hemenway placed the
grand total for this years appropriations at s47-
Sl7s22 49,
Deductng from the last figure the estimated
revenues for the fiscal year. placed by Secre-
tary Shaw at $7O4 Az OsO 72. Mr.. Hemenway showed
estimated deficit for the year 1SO4-'6 of $i2'-
Sl5,S62 OF. Continuing. Mr.. Hemenway said:
The problem IS all the more serious when we
realize that at the last session Congress approprl
Sted exclusive or dehcencies, WitHin less sis
and that at the first session Of the last Congress
Of this Congress-the APPROPRIATIONS. exclusive OF
deficiencies and the large sum of SO1S0C00 for the
isthmian canal approached the of the estl-
mates within a little less than $2400O.OOO
Nor is there any comfort afforded in the fact that
the total estimates. excluding the sinking fund
submitted in the last Congress, the first
session thereof $19623l1 SO less than the estimated
than the estimated revenues 1t only argues that we
have latitude to appropriate beyond the lines
laid down in the regular estimates and that those
lines must or necessity be materially contracted
Three of the great annual supply bills for the gov
ernment-the pension, legislative, executive and
F hey car ro in ' the aggresate s2
One-third Of the whole annual estimates as pre-
scented us by the executive. Yet they show
reduction I'm the total Of only $41l6625 Is under
If the ratio OF reduction IS not materially in
bills, the expenses for the next fiscal year, as we
shall authorize them. can only be met by heavy
inroads on the surplus in the Treasury.
Referring to the present Treasury surplus. SPA
100000 Mr. Hemenway predicted its rapid reduction.
He showed that OF this amount $1s1 100000 al
unexpended balances contracts for % increase
Of the navy, C9 rivers and harbors and CD public
buildings. adding:
preparations already made liquidated, the net
cash I'm the Treasury would be reduced 10 the dan
gerously low water mark of S93 COCOA sum less
than ii has reached any period since the era OF
depression that antedated the beginning Of Mr..
Mchinley's first administration.
Mr.. Hemenway also explained that there re
manned to be appropriated contracts already
made for the navy. rivers and harbors and public
buildings. S36.5O9 233 O. Of which amount the esti-
mates called for the appropriation OF S60.Soi5A at
this session OF Congress. In conclusion he said:
There should be no legislation passed reducing
onv not refusing any necessary item to meet tho
growing expenses OF this great country, but striK-
ing from the estimates and from the approprla-
ton bills reported TO this House every supernuous
item We must keep within the revenues.