The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-04-09

rect1ons. For instance, protests are
soaring In against the cutting off Of
the SO, 900 year formerly allowed
the president for travelling expenses.
When at the last session Of congress
the presidential salary was increased
from $4,000 to $4,000, the travelling
expense item OF $25, 900 was cut out.
The argument in favor Of increasing
the salary Of the president was that
not only had the cost OF living in
creased since 1873. when the salary OF
$50, 900 a year was fixed. but that the
social demands upon the president
called for much heavier expenditure.
1t is true that President Roosevelt did
not in any year use all the SIS, 600
appropriated for travelling expenses,
but 1t Is popularity supposed that he
used much more than his official sal.
airy in maintaining the white house.
Mr.. Roosevelt could afford to do this.
because he had a moderately large
private fortune and derived a consid-
cradle income from his books.
No Private Fortune.
Dul III. lat udS HO private IOlIuuS
and unless there is to be continuous
choOse-paring at the white house a
good part of the additional $4,000
salary will have to go toward paying
living and entertaining expenses.
Whatever travelling the president
dOes-and 1t costs money for the pres.
ident to travel-will have to be paid
for out of whatever is left of his sal
airy, SO that unless Mr.. Taft sticks
pretty close to home he is going to
have a hard time making ends meet
with practically no chance to lay aside
anything against the day of retire
ment.
Now, the people doesn't want the
president to stay at home. They want
him to travel, because they want to
see him. Their wish exactly comedies
with that of the president, but il
would be rather too much to expect
the young Tafts go without shoes and
school books in order to crafty this
mutual desire.
At least the people seem to see II
In this light and members of congress
are being flooded with communica
tions from their constituents demand
ing that the $4,000 for travelling ex
penses be restored. This is likely to
be done at the regular session mex,
winter. Action would be probable al
the extra session were it not for the
fact that the house appropriations
committee has not been appointed
Even this may not stand in the way
for a precedent was established wheI
the census bill was brought into the
house and passed without the census
committee having been named.
Test Necessary.
Whether it would be possible tt
pass through the house bill granting
the president $25. 900 for travelling ex
penses only test would tell. It viii
be recalled that there was strong op
position to increasing the presidents
salary and the house only consented
to this on condition that the lump sun
for travelling expenses be dropped.
er heard in congress were used in op
position to increasing the presidential
salary. A table was produced show
ing that appropriations on account o
the president already were in thu
lneighborhood Of quarter of million
dollars. In this table were included
the cost of the upkeep of the white
house and grounds. the salaries o
j clerks employed in the executive OF
fees, and even of the policemen de
tailed for duty at the white house.
was pointed out by those supporting
the salary increase the cost OF run
ming the capitol might as well be di
vided by 483 and the result charged vi
as an addition to the salary of eacl
senator and representative.