Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-06-24
WHY n COsTs MONEY.

the Topeka Capital gives some figur-l
q on why 1t costs 50 much 70 run
the government. He says:
1T is undoubtedly true that our
national expenditures have increased
with great rapidity during the past
few years. But why? Plainly be-
cause Of the demands made by the
pcople themselves for the greater ex-
tension Of federal activities. The
meat inspection bill for example,
costs three million dollars q year.
The pure food law costs close TO q
million. The enforcement OF the
anti trust law costs another million
or more. The conservation OF the
forests costs upwards of four MIL
lions. The industrial education and
training Of Indian children costs more
than two millions. The service PEN
sion bill added twenty millions 70
the appropriations for pensions and
the widows bill added twelve mill
lions more. Rural free delivery SER
vice in the postoffice costs nearly
forty millions. On the average, about
twenty millions are spent for public
and nearly twice as much
more for river and harbor improve
ments. The Panama canal Is cost
ing about forty millions year. All
of these expenditures have been made
necessary by reason of laws passed
In response to the undoubted senti-
ment Of great majority Of the peo-
pie. And yet great many other
measures which undoubtedly have
much sentiment behind them and
which would call for appropriations
of many millions annually have not
been passed. For example, there
we're referred to the committee on
agriculture, only one Of the five APP
,roprlatlon committees in the House,
Turing the past Congress, bills which
( passed would have involved an ex-
,enditure Of $500, 900, 900; and the
chairman of that committee has been
most severely criticised for his un-
to support each and every
me of those bills.
1.-THE extension Of the army and
lavy can hardly be classed as new
.ctivities Of the government and yet
he enormous increase in the appro-
'riations for these two arms Of the
Iervice have undoubtedly received
he support of popular sentiment.
% show what these increases have
Ieen, take the period of eight years
,receding 1900 and compare 1t with
he eight years following that date.
he average annual appropriations
or the army we're less than 10000
90 during the first period and more
han $50 900, 900 during the last per-
ID. The annual average for naval
was $27,5O0, 900 dur
lg the first period and $102,40O, 900
uring the last period. Putting 1t an
Their way we have spent $47S, 00O,-
90 more on the army during the
ast eight years than expended the
eight years. Stating 1t still
mother way, the excess of approDria-
ons during the past eight years over
lose Of the preceding eight years
,r the army and navy, together
to $1,072,os9,741.OS. And
It Congress has been more criticised
If the meagerness of its appropria-
ons for these two subjects than 1t
as been commended for its econo-
y in relation to thea. remember
the severe newspaper criti-
SINS made upon myself because
tied for one battleship at q certain
me, instead Of for five that the
resident had recommended.
Considering the actual facts, re-
lembering how greatly the estimates
the executive departments have ex-
seded the appropriations made by
ongress and remembering the de-
lands Of the people for a big navy
nd an efficient army and in q gen
raj way for the enormous extension
I federal activities over what any
Ody dreamed Of twenty years ago,
light suggest in closing that those
tho desire to help in the work Of
etrenchment might confer a real
enefIt upon Congress II instead Of
roadly charging extravaganza and
,aste they would take the appropria-
lon bills and point out some specific
.ems which are larger than they
ught to be-
All OF which means that II we are
D be a big nation and do big things
le must spend a lot Of money.