Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-22

Mr.. Aldrlch said the rapidity with
which our national expenditures had
increased within the past three years
was source of anxiety if not alarm.
simultaneously with the reduction
In receipts Of s60,ooo.oOO from 1907 to
1909, we have had an increase in ex-
penditures OF $780, 900 900 he said
"It is but fair to say that when the
appropriation for the year 90S were
made the country had not been over
taken by the panic Of 1907
"But different condition existed
when tho appropriations for the year
1910 were made. The fact that the
appropriations for the year 1905 werc
Inmates does not relieve Congress from
responsibility for their unprecedented
extravaganza. No excuse whatever
can he found for similar legislation IN
the future.
THE conditions under which appro-
rriations are usually made by Con
gress. are PERHAPS. in part responsible
for the willful waste Of public money.
Each department practically makes its
own recommendations Independently
Of all the others The committees In
charge Of the various appropriation
bills are required to consider only tho
needs o. the respective departments
for which they report appropriations
and without reference to the total
amount OF money available.
MUST MAKE RADICAL CHANGE.
at is important in the interests of the
public service that radical change in
the procedure with reference to appro-
priatIons should be made.
1T should be tho function Of the COM
n,ittee on public expenditures recently
crested to take into consideration. long
before the appropriation bills are re-
o-ived from the House, the estimates
and needs OF the various departments
and report their recommendations TO
the Senate in order that responsibility
for future extravagances may he clearly
fixed. From an investigation more Or
Legs superficial. | am myself satisfied
,hat the appropriations made lost year
Couid have been reduced at feast $4,000,
eco without impairinR the efficiency OF
III" public service. There are periods in
tee lie OF a nation wlsln the spirit of
cXtravasence prrvades the atmosphere
and III" public money is scattered right
and left, often without reference TO the
results to Ne pecured. We have within
the past few wears created many unncc-
essnry burdens and multiplied employees
beyond the possibility Of efficient work.
In this work OF necessary reduction
in expenditure and in reform in meth
obs Of appropria ton to which the Senate
is pledged said Mr.. Aldrich. II arm
authorized to say that We shall have the
earnest support and active co-operati ton
% the President and tire administration.
MUST REDUCE EXPENDITURES
Il may ask what would happen If it
should be found that | have been over
sanruine or wholly Inaccurate in my
statements of probable conditions and re-
suts. What shall We do if the revenues
actually received are less than those I
have anticipated and large deficiencies
are threatened? | answer with emphasis
that It would than be the imperative duty
of Congress 10 reduce expenditures and
mako them conform to actual revenue
conditions, and not to impose new and
onerous taxes. The legislative power Of
Congress over the revenues and ex-
pend!turcs will not end with the adoption
Of the pending bill. The pendin. bill,
will il enacted into law. .rovide all the
necessary revenues required for public
expenses upon a liberal scale. No further
additional taxes are needed. The Inn
position of other taxes under these condi-
tions would not only Be unwise. but un-
just ana preJudicial to every interest
Of tho great people we represent.
I'm the face Of the record have dis
closed no political party can afford 10
place new and unnecessary burdens upon
the industrials and people OF tho United
States. and should regret extremely il
the party of which I am a member should
assume any such responsibility"