Evening star., 1909-03-03
CHARGE OF EXTRAVAGANCE
Declares Estimates Were Cut $274,-
100000 in Seven Years.
IT WAS A THANKLESS TASK
He Says Economy Made onl!
Departmental Gives Figures.

Senator Hemenway Of the committee on
appropriations OF the Senate today ad-
dressed the Senate on the subject of the
money appropriated by Congress for the
past seven years.
In my four years service in this body,
said he, II have not occupied much OF the
time of the Senate In debate. 1 think
however, that at this tipe I owe 1t to
Congress to make brief statement as to
appropriations for the last seven years.
I would have prepared the statement
covering longer period had my time not
been SO completely taken up in perform
ing the many duties assigned to me.
The press OF the country. In view OF
the alarming deficit which the Treasury
reports show from day to day and month
to month, is filled with editorials CRITICS
ing Congress for it's extravaganza. and
with no defense made by Congress the
people of the United States are led to
believe that Congress alone is responsible
for the large appropriations and expendi-
ture of money.
II show by the statement which fol-
lows that Congress in the last seven
years reduced the estimates sent TO us
by the executive over $274,OO0.OOO.'
Makes a Comparison.
gated $7,2s7, ,954,29S. against appropri-
ations aggregating $7.O1S, ,S24.Ss5. The re-
ductions Congress made from the esti-
mates were as follows: In 1903. $25.S .So3,-
81, and for the succeeding seven years
the reductions were as follows: 12,39S.-
90 $40. .SO1. .S31, SIS, ,O75, ,732, $1 ,555. .511
800 392 499 S71O51745 and for the fiscal
year of 1910. $5O,OOO,OOO. Continuing, Mr.
Hemenway said:
II invite the attention of the country
to this table, which is an accurate state
ment as to estimates received by Con-
gress and appropriations made. 1t shows
the facts, and although the estimates
were not reduced to the extent many of
us wanted, Congress has not added to its
popularity with the people by the reduc-
tions it did make, for on the whole the
people have been with the executive in
urging that all recommendations of the
executive be carried out.
II do not make this statement in spirit
of criticism. but to put before the coun-
try the facts. If Congress had not stood
against the pressure brought by both
executive departments and by citizens in
place of having today cash balance In
the Treasury, which l admit is rapidly
melting away, We would have been COM
PEELED to issue bonds to have paid running
expenses.
Asks Public Approval.
II hope the people of the United States
will turn from the sensational headlines
long enough to read this statement of
facts. and when additional taxes are lev
led. which the people will have to pay.
they can understand that Congress is not
wholly at fault. The member OF Con-
gress. whether in Senate or House, who
serves upon the committee having in
charge an appropriation bill and performs
the unpleasant duty Of saying no to the
demands of the executive department of
the government does not have a pleasant
duty to perform. He is not complimented
in the headlines of the newspapers, he
endures the illwill of the executive de-
partment, and often Of his colleagues, by
having to stand against their requests