Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-01

| ton with that understanding. Where
at President Taft directs thought in a
new avenue by raising the old but
ever timely demand for genuine econ
omy.
| President Taft has set the co-or-
ment an excellent example by insti-
tutins genuine economy in connection
with the operation Of the different de-
phrtments. In the first place he has
warned the members Of the cabinet
that the expenditures in different de-
partments must be kept strictly with
in the appropriations therefor. With
this end In view the cabinet is to be
constituted supervisory body, and It
is also to be clothed with the duty of
scanning all estimates coming from
the executive departments, with the
understanding that all estimates are
to be cut down wherever this can be
done without impairing the work OF
the different departments.
| Evidence of determination to give
immediate effect to this salutary
change In policy is afforded by the
order issued by Treasurer Macveagh
in a letter to the heads OF various
divisions. in which he announces the
desire Of the President that imme-
La n "a -
such economy in expenditures as may
be found by the most competent study
to be feasible. In all probability the
carrying out OF this policy will be
delegated TO a subcommittee Of three
members of the cabinet.
The economy wave in reality began
with the last Congress which enacted
a law providing that the secretary Of
the treasury shall go through the es-
Inmates OF the various departments
and discover where they may be re-
duccd. Tho treasurcr's recommends
ident. who in turn, If he finds a point
well taken will pass the recommended
| lions along to Congress. Presiien t
Taft has carried the idea a long step
further and arranged system which
| Will make it a difficult matter for
excessive demands to get through.
| In this connection the Senate has
just created a new committee to look
after the cost of maintaining the ex-
ecutive departments. The committee is
known as that on public expenditures
and its duties will be to scrutinize
Congress from the executive depart
ments.
| Senator Aldrich, who is member
of this committee as we'll as of the
finance committee which will have
charge Of the tariff bill in the upper
branch Of Congress is said to be Of
the opinion that the economy which
will be brought about through the
| combined efforts Of the President and
the lawmakers charged with this par
ticular duty will render 1t possible
to materially reduce many of the
high duties incorporated in the Payne
tariff bill.
| There can be no question that the
institution OF the present pronounce
ed movement for economy in all di-
rections OF federal expenditure is to
be credited to President Taft. In
speaking of the appointing of the new
cabinet committee on expenditures
and estimates the New York Post
we'll says:
! In this country. rs in England some
OF the most important customs Of
| government owe their origin TO lust
such an executive action; and by the
| lapse of years have become as fixed
and unchan geable as though embodied
| in our fundamental law
! Whether this will be the case with
the new budget committee. or not,
there could be no better Illustration
of the quiet efficiency to be expected
from the Taft administration than
no ringing of bells. no blowing of
trumpets. no heralding in the market
place of the coming Of a great re-
form. The announcement Is made al
most as modestly as II 1t were merely
a question OF naming new battle
ship. 1t reveals. too. the difference be
tween the trained statesman and the
aEitator In office, Mr.. Tafts unusual
experience as the head of the Philip
pine government and the war de-
partment stands him In good stead
now. In the Philippines he was COM
PEELED to cut his coat according to
his cloth: there was no great treas
ury surplus to fall back upon there
should the expenditures suddenly be
found to be far higher than estimated.
Mr.. Taft. too, is Of the temperament
that Is not impatient of details, with
which he combines an appreciation of
the fact that the financial problem is
fundamental and underlies every
other. To ignore 1t and devote ones
energies to more spectacular things
than the studying of budget figures is
more exciting and often politically
more profitable. but sooner or later
the day must come when somebody
has to sit down to the problem OF do.
Ing the nations reckoning and maxi
Ing both ends meet
The present Is the most opportune
moment that could be found for
the beginning Of movement of gen.
tAr 1T In