The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-05-18

the fiscal year have exceeded the same
period of last year by $34.651,771,
monthly average of 100000; while
the receipts have increased over last
year by only s1,313,251, or an average
of less than $4,000 a month.
This is the first time in seven years
that the treasury is confronted with
large deficit, and it is feared that I'M
less something is done the deficit for
the next year will be even greater.
The heavy deficit cannot be charged
to extraordinary expenditures. The
only unusual expenditures this year
have been on account of the Panama
canal, and the aggregate amount SO
far spent on work on the isthmus is
less than s5,0OO,OOO. The deficit is
made by the aggregate excess of ex-
penditures over receipts and the great
est portion has been created by the
postoffice department, though other of
the departments have contributed. But
made large deposits with national
banks, it might today be seriously en-
barrassed by the treasury deficit. AS
it is, the deposits with the national
banks nave been reduced from $780,
OOO, 900 one year and a half ago, to less
than $SO,O00,O0O at the present day,
and a call is now outstanding for $27,-
600, 900 of the remaining deposits. This
will reduce the deposits with the ma
and unless congress comes to the res
Gus there will be further calls.
Where Money Can Be Saved.
1t is apparent that this treasury de-
| felt must receive the attention of
! congress next winter; something must
be done to decrease the expenses or
| increase the revenue. The present pol
icy cannot continue indefinitely. But
it is going to be serious thing to tell
what remedy to apply. Our navy is
eating up millions of dollars every
year, far more than many public men
| deem expedient in time of peace; yet
! there are others who believe with the
president that the navy should be ma
terially strengthened by the addition
of big ships. The army, though it is
comparatively small, is expensive, but
it is difficult to see how the appropria-
tons for this arm of the service can
next season by reason Of the fact that
there will be no river or harbor bill,
but this will be offset by the clamor
for and the probable passage of an
omnibus public building bill.
But even economy on public build
ings and the fact that there will be no
river and harbor bill will not, in the
opinion of the treasury officials, meet
the conditions that exist. These men
curtail the appropriations for rural free
delivery. But will congress take the
same view of this subject? 1t is very
much to be doubted. 1t is a fact that
the abandonment of the rural free de-
| livery would go a long way towards
wiping out the deficit. The rural free
delivery service will cost the govern
ment s21,O00,O for the present year.
Six years ago it started as an expert
/ wit
hundred thousand dollars. If the
present program is carried out the
rural free delivery will cost $25,O00,000
next year. The expenditures of the
postoffice department exceed the rev.
enues by between SIS, 900 and $16,-
O00 900 a year. 1t is officially stated
that but for rural free delivery there
would be no postal deficit, and the de-
partment would be self sustaining.
Dare Not Touch Rural Delivery
Notwithstanding this, it is very
much to be questioned if congress will
ever abolish or even curtail rural free
delivery. 1t has proven to be great
boon for the rural districts, and no
congressman with a rural district is
willing to have rural delivery sacrificed.
Judging by the clamor for this SER
vice, it is more sought after than any
other favor the government depart
ments can bestow. In some congress
sional districts there are between 300
and 400 rural routes. These routes
mean much to the voters of these dis
tricts, and any congressman who votes
aeets:st rural free delivery must ex-
pect defeat at the next election.
| 1t may be that congress will look
| into the postal service to see if some
way can be devised to make it self
sustaining. Almost from the start it
has been run at a loss, even before
!