Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-12-25
MUST Be CUT DOWN,
Congressional Estimates Far
Exceed Money n Sight.
MILITARY DESIRES The MOST
Likely to ee Considerable Decrease
In Revenues During Coming Year
Chairman Tawney Doesn't See Much
In Sigh For Public Buildings.

-ss.,-----------sl-' fsstl4
Washington. Dec ..t.-Chairman
Tawney Of the house committee on
appropriations. which was appointed
Monday by Speaker Cannon, has eff.
fected its origin by the appointment
OF subcommittee
At the close OF the committees first
meeting. Chairman Tawney dictated
statement in part as follows:
The committee on appropriations
situation which will require a very
material revision of the estimates sub
mitted for public expenditures for the
next fiscal year ending June 30 1903.
in order TO keep the appropriations
within the possible and estimated rev
enues of the government
"The estimates submitted az the
beginning Of last session Of congress
for the new current year totalled $685..
960G43 The estimates for the next
fiscal year submitted az the begin
ming Of this session In the book ~
estimates totalled S996.9492SS or an
increase in the estimated expendi
lures for the next fiscal year over the
current year OF SiO1 .25S,645. The esti
mated total revenue for the next fiscal
year is SS7S.123,01l. while The actual
revenue. including postal revenue re-
ceived during the last fiscal year
(Which total revenue was larger than
that of any previous year in the his
tory of the governmenp. was only
sS46725S39
Much Not Included.
ut win be seen therefore that on
the basis OF the estimated expend-
lures and the estimated revenue for
the next fiscal year. the expenditures
as estimated exceed the prospective
revenue by Sl1S.s26.277 This excess
does not include estimates for the
regular deficiency and miscellaneous
appropriations. which for the current
year amount to sl3.147s99 Nor does
Il include any new authorizations for
spontaneous expenditures. From this
excess total OF $l1S.S26.277. however
should be deducted S25 GOO, 900. which
ture for the redemption or national
bank notes This expenditure is not
made out OF the current revenues, but
out OF the statutory fund obtained
from national banks. which fund is
not carried as part OF the govern
ment's revenues.
"Deducting the s25.00O,0O still
leaves a deficiency OF $50, 900, 600 and
shows the necessity for a practical
revision OF the estimates. IN order 20
keep expenditures for that year with
in possible revenues. and thus to
avoid deficiency. II also shows the
practical impossibility OF congress. at
this session. authorizing new govern.
mental services, or the undertaking of
new projects"
From an examination OF a state
ment prepared by the committee IL
appears that the principal increase I'm
the expenditures for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1909, IS for the mill
tary establishment including the
army. the navy and pensions This
increase over the current appropria-
lions for the military establishment
amounts to almost sl0O.OOO0 0O as it
does not include any estimate what
ever for new authorizations such as,
for instance the building OF battle
ships.
Will Prune Military Estimates.
In view OF the almost certain de.
crease in estimated revenues for the
next fiscal year. and also IN view Of
the fact that war does not threaten
this country IL may be stated on the
highest authority that congress, in
revising the estimated expenditures.
will at this session endeavor to re-
duce. most OF all. the budget for the
maintenance OF the military establish
ment. rather than put the pruning
knife TO civil estimates.
The closest scrutiny will be given
10 all measures proposing appropria.
tons Of any kind and new authorize.
tions-prominent among them I'm bills
thus far introduced being public build.
ings-will be subjected to more than
ordinary consideration.
The situation as It presents itself"
said Mr. KeIfer. may mean. after
we get down TO business. that not
single bill calling for the erection OF
public building will he favorably re.
ported by the committed I am not
prepared to say that II will happen so,
but N NAV"