The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-01
MONDAY. JUNE |. 1908.
Our National Extravaeance.


One Of the most impressive reminders
OF the first session Of the Sixtieth Con-
gress is the stupendous total of it's ap-
preparations. which, for the first time In
the country's history, exceed the billion
dollar mark. This does not mean that
the cost of maintaining the national gov
eminent and OF carrying on its various
functions and enterprises has reached a
billion dollars a year, for the total of
appropriations is swelled by such items
as that of $5S.OOO.OOO for the sinking fund.
which Is a mere entry on the Treasury
books, and not necessarily an expenditure
at all. But our annual national expen-
diture is rapidly approaching the billion
dollar limit. and will eventually reach II,
if there is not some check to the extern
sion OF Federal activities.
Various members Of Congress have en-
deayored to convey some easily grasped
impression Of the volume of government
expenditure and OF its rapid growth. One
OF the most remarkable comparisons is
that made by Mr.. Fitzgerald, between
1S62-1S65 which were 1894, S3O.931. and
these for four years of the Roosevelt ad-
ministration. which amount to $3,42S. 500. :
81. Senator Culberson declared that ex-
penditures had grown five times faster
than population. On the other hand.
Census Bureau figures show that while
the per capita expenditure has mounted
from Sl.S4 in the early years Of the re-
public 10 over 50. the national expen-
diture has not kept pace with the growth
in per capita wealth. thus apparently in
dioating that the ability of the people to
bear the added burden of Federal govern
ment has more than kept pace with in
creasing cost Of government Doubtless
this fact explains the apparent lack OF
popular interest in curbing national ex-
travagsnce.
Mr.. Tawney makes some striking bb-
gervations on the extraordinary pressure
foc appropriations from the public Treas
ury. He asserts that in the endeavor to
keep down the totals of the appropria-
ton bills, the Committee on Appropria-
TORS was without support either from
tile public, from the press, from the mi
nority, or from the executive depart
ments of the government" With some
qualifications, we believe this is an en-
fvr1.. IT..
from every quarter Is for larger expen-
ditures and more generous appropria-
tons. not for governmental economies.
Not only are the requirements of the es-
tablished public service continually in
creasing. but there is also a steady
clamor for the creation of new Federal
activities OF this phase Of public senti-
ment Mr.. Tawney says:
Demands Of this character are rapidly Increasing
They are the result Of and are supported by. a gen
era tendency throughout the country to increase the
power Of the Federal government where the excr.
else Of that increased power would relieve the state
and private interests Of the expense incident thereto.
These demands come from all Of tho States. bat
A--piH kAAAllluaLlg inc oLlbH suutn o. Mason
and Dixons line. The many bureaus aud Offices Of
Tho executive departments here at tho seat Of gov.
rrument arc always eager to take on new services
and the exercise Of new powers whenever there
arises among the States thspeople Of any section
Of the country demand that they should do 30
Demands Of this character were greater at this ses
sion Of Congress than ever before and they may be
expected 70 increase in the future unless the e1.
ecldve and legislative branches Of the government
unite in resisting propositions for the exercise Of
these extraconsitutonal powers and the cousequen;
encroachment upon the revenues Of the Federal gov
eminent
Mr.. Tawney claims great deal of
credit for resisting inroads on the Fed
eral Treasury-a claim which the minor
ity critics are not disposed TO allow. II
is true that the appropriation bills might
have been very much less without injury
TO the public service. or a great deal
more without exciting much popular out
cry. Under the circumstances. Mr.. Taw-
ney and his associates have done well TO
keep the increase down to SSSOOO,OOO.