New-York tribune., 1909-07-08
CAMPAIGN OF ECONOMY
IT'S ORIGIN IN HOUSE.
President and Congress WOrk1ng to
Curtait Expenditures.
lFrom rhe Trthune Bureau.


Washington july The general disposition out
side OF Washington attribute the so-called cam
p2ign Of economy the fact that new admin
is5ratior has recently been iaaugursted and that,
IN the all Presidents President TAFT
is fired with enthusiasm in his efforts make
economical record Is attributed by men familiar
with the financial side q the government TO
lack % appreciation Of the general sentiment in
legislative as well administrative circles and
failure O the development Of the sentiment
for economy Various adlninstra tions have in the
sought practise economy, especially in their
earlier DAYS and many of them have forgotten
their ambitions later. Congress has not always CO.
operated with the efforts of the administration.
which has consequently become discouraged. The
present effort effect reasonable curtailment Of
the expenses Of the government however has
more logical origin and sounder basis than
other undertaken years. This fact has
been generally lost sight Of
The present effort curtail the federal expenses
and establish harmony between receipts and dis
bursements began in the House Of Representatives.
where al appropriation bills originate. Representa-
tive TaRney- OF Minnesota. chairman of the Com
rnittee Appropriations. who has given the sub
5ect the careful study. caused be inserted
IL the sundry civil appropriation bill passed a the
last session provision requiring compilation and
coordination Of the estimates of expenses subtod
10 Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury and
providing THAI:
II the estimates for appropriations including the
estimated amount necessary all continuing
estimated revenue tie Secretsrv nf the Treasnry
shall transmit ne estimates 10 CONGRESS- a bsretf
fore required by lev. and a transmit de
tailed statement q all such estimates the Pres-
dent. to the end that he may. in giving Congress
l-1ending 10 their consideration such measures
ne may deem necessary. advise the Congress how.
IL his judgment the estimated appropriations
reduced Sc as - brine tie apnropTistions within
the estimated revenues; ar if such reduction be
ln3ury 70 the pubic service that he may recon-.
be necessary 10 cover the deficiency.
BY this provision q cooperation between the
executive and legislative branches of the govern
Tnent which has heretofore existed is obtained.
ard this. in the opinion Of competent judges. Will
90 far 10 promote the system ard economy 50
greatly 10 be desired With clearly defined total
within which he laboring to confne the aggre
gate Of expenditures. 4 chief Executive might
easily be convinced by his subordnates of the
paramount Importance Of the expenditures for
which they estimates the absence of
effort square the estimated expenditures with
the estimated revenues. the estimates in the past
have usually been decidedly extravagant. and TO
the lot Of the House Appropriations Committee has
fallen the unerateful task Of trying 80 to pare
them rs 10 bring them into some sol, OF harmony
with the probable receipts As a consequence the
appropriation bills d passed by the House have
fer considerable period shown material reduc-
rion from the estimates submitted by the Secretary
Of the Treasury.
Another factor has operated. however undo
the work Of the House in its efforts TO promote
extravaganza which has resulted in material in
in appropriation bills after they have left
the House Some Of these additions have been
shoTn in conference but 4 material increase has
. cften remained. The necessary system OF dis
"a tributing appropriation bills among several
I} Iaittees contributed this end. and II a
realization OF this fact. brought forcibly his
attention by the House leaders. which led Senator
Aldrfeh TO devise the Committee on Public Ex-
pendftures' To this budget committee of which
the chairman Of the Committee Appropriations
= ex-of5cio chairman and the chairmen Of all the
committees handling appropriation bills are eX-
S1acfo members together with certain other Sena-
szrs 70 the number OF thirteen viii be confded the
Of fixing a definite total for the appropria-
.icn bills as passed ny the Senate Within this
total al the appropriation bills must be confined
The members of This committee already at
work studying the federal expenses and the prob
eble revenues and seeking determine where eN-
penses may be curtaied with the least injury to
tie public service
That the field such work is extensive is fully
realized. and by better than BY Mr.. Tawney
and his associates on the House Committee on Ap-
propriations They welcome the determination Of
the Senate 10 cooperate with them the cam
raiEn Of economy and believe that careful study
by influential Senators Of TIE fiscal needs ef the
government VIII go minimize the difficulties
cf tie House confeTrees appropriation bills and
70 promote that economy for which they have been
striving.