The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-12-31

spender," yet it has always been his
desire to maintain the traditional
brilliancy of White House entertain
ments. In doing so he has been called
upon more than once to call on his
private purse.
Everyone knows that the presidents
salary is $4,000 a year, which is less
in some instances thanh is paid the
heads of big present-day corporations.
| The government also maintains the
executive stables, keeps the White
House grounds in order, supports the
greenhouses that the presidential ia
BILE may be supplied with flowers on
the occasions of entertainment, and
provides an allowance for travelling eX-
penses. On the other hand entertain
ing. which is distinctly a public func-
ito and entails the biggest item of
| yearly expense, must be paid for by
saves from or exceeds his salary is
something that must be controlled by
the chief executive. This is an an
omaly which has impressed Mr.. Roose-
welt, and he is of opinion that if con-
gress would provide a proper sum for
entertaining, in addition TO the salary
of the office, it would be only fair to
the president.
Constrasted with the emoluments of
European rulers, the salary of the
president of the United States seems
| insignificant even a pittance. II may
be explained, however. that these Eu-
ropean monarchs have many demands
upon their incomes, such as the sup
port of regal establishments and os-
tentatious entertaining far exceeding
the cost of that extended by the Amer
lean president, that almost balance the
scale While King Edward of England
receives annually S2.350.000 from the
state, of which but one-fourth goes in
70 the privy purse his royal evpendi-
lures are so many and lavish that he
is said frequently to be hard pressed
for cash His racing stable alone.
which is conducted on a scale of mag
nificance. costs a fortune annually TO
maintain. Another high salaried
monarch is Emperor William, who re-
ceives $650,OOO as emperor of Ger
many and S3,9370O as king of Prus-
STA. His family is a VIGOROUSLY ex-
travagant one, however. and court Cos
sip is that he has not been able TO
lay by much for the proverbial rainy
day. Francis Joseph receives $2.S12,-
800 as emperor of Austria and a like
amount as king of Hungary Despite
the demands made upon his purse by
his numerous evtravagant relatives.
this aged monarch is said to be one
of the worlds richest crowned heads.
The salary of the king of Italy is So
100000 year, but out of this he must
pay several large royal pensions.
King Alfonso receives $1.7S7. 800
year and King Leopold of Belgium
$4,000. although the latter has profit
ed immensely through his large invest
ments in rubber and ivory in the Con
go Free State.
These comparisons certainly make
the presidential salary look insignifi-
cant; but few persons in or out of
congress have any idea that the presi-
dents salary Should be raised TO
basis to compare with the emoluments
of these foreign rulers. Not even
Senator Bourne has had the daring TO
make this comparison as the leading
argument in favor of the proposed
salary increase. He does think, though,
that the president, along with the COM
mon people, has felt the increased cost
of living, and that congress. following
the policy OF raising the salaries of
its own members. should put the chief
executive on a footing of independ-
snce.
Two big features of the TAFT inaugu-
/ ra1 ceremonies will no tho ,,,;I;+o,,.