Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-20

simultaneously with the reduction in re-
ceipts Of sSO.CO0.Ooo from 1907 to 1909 we have
had an increase IN expenditures Of tl20,OoO.-
co., he said.
Appropriations Are ExtrRvagsnt.
1t is but fair to say that when the APP
propriations for the year 1908 we're made
the country had not been overtaken by the
panic Of 1907.
But a different condition existed when
the appropriations for the year 1910 were
made. The fact that the appropriations
we're less than the estimates does not re-
ueve congress from responsibility for their
unprecedented extravaganza. No excuse
whatever can be found for similar legisla-
! ton In the future.
"The conditions under which appropria-
tions are usually made by congress are
perhaps In part responsible for the wilfull
waste Of public money. Each department
practically makes it's own recommendation
independently Of what the others want.
The committees in charge of the various
appropriation bills are required to consider
only the needs OF the respective depart
ments for which they report appropriations
and without reference to the total amount
Of money available.
1T is important in the interests OF the
public service that a radical change In the
procedure with reference to appropriations
should be made.
Disbursements Could he Cut.
1T should be the function of the COM
mittee on public expenditures recently
created to take into consideration, long be-
fore the appropriation bills are received
from the house, the estimates and needs
OF the various departments and report their
recommendation to the senate, in order
that responsibility for future extravagancies
may be clearly fixed. From the investigs-
ton more or less superficial I am myself
satisfied that the appropriations made last
year could have been reduced at least Go,-
100000 without impairing the efficiency Of
the public service. There are periods in the
life Of a nation when the spirit of ex-
travagance pervades the atmosphere and
the public money is scattered right and left,
often without reference to the results to
be secured. We have within the last few
years created many unnecessary bureaus
and multiplied employees beyond the pos
sibilfty OF efficient work.
I'm this work Of necessary reduction in
expenditure and in reform in methods of
appropriation to which the senate is
pledged said Mr.. Aldrich. II am author
lied to say that we shall have the earnest
support and active cooperation OF the
president and the administration
No New Taxes Needed.
81 may be asked what would happen II
It should be found that l have been over
s~anguine or wholly inaccurate in my state
ments of probable conditions and results,
What shall we do II the revenues actually
received are less than those have sntic-
ipated and large deficiencies are threat
ened? l answer. with emphasis, that II
would then be the imperative duty Of con-
gTess to reduce expenditures and make
them conform to actual revenue conditions
and not to impose new and onerous taxes
The executive power Of congress over the
revenues and expenditures will not end
with the adoption of the pending bill. The
pending bill will. If enacted into law, pro-
vide ali the necessary revenues required
for public expenses upon a liberal scale
No further additional taxes are needed.
The imposition of other taxes under these
conditions would not only be unwtse but
unjust and prejudical to every interest OF
) the great people we represent.
"In the face of the record | have dis.
closed no political party can afford &c
3 place new and unnecessary burdens upor
the industries and people of the United
| States and ! should regret extremely IL tn,
party of WHICH l am a member should as
e sumo any such responsibility" -