American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1910-12-24

to speak Of the extravagances of their
opponents. and say that they were
bent on giving the country a billion
dollar congress-"
At the time this charge was consid-
cred to be one of the highest flights
of rhetorical extravaganza. and it is
doubtful If even those who made 1t
thought that the day would come for
scores Of years when congress would
be called upon to appropriate $1,000
600, 900 in a single year for the ex-
penses of the government.
Natural growth Is responsible in a
measure for the vast increase in the
expense Of running Uncle Sans
household. Twenty years ago the
navy cost US each year about 100000
900; now it costs about $40, 900, 900.
The acquisition of the Philippines ne
cessitated an increase in the army,
and the army appropriation bill is big
ger than ever. Naturally all depart
ments have grown at a pace in keep
ing with the growth in population.
and so today, much sooner than was
expected. the billion dollar congress"
Is an accomplished fact.
The presidents of the United States
one after another always hav urged
economy. 1t made no difference
whether 1t was Cleveland, Democrat,
or Harrison, or any other president, Re-
publican, the plea for economy went
from the White House to Capitol hill
each year. In the past year perhaps
the saving admonition has been more
sharp and pointed than before, for ap-
%parently the president, with other
American citizens, has been some
what staggered by the mere sight OF
the figures in the governments ex-
pense account.
Taft Wants Just Debts Paid.
No president, however. no matter to
which party he has belonged, ever
has asked congress to refuse to au.
thorize the payment Of Uncle Sans
just debts. President Taft has urged
economy constantly, but like other
presidents before him he this year has
urged strongly that congress do JUS
tice to the persons who have valid
claims against the government and
who cannot get their money.
Uncle Sam has a court of claims.
The judges are as hard worked as,
and perhaps harder worked than, any
of the other federal ~jurists, They are
obliged to pass judgment on the valid
ity of claims made against the United
States by private individuals. If the
courtfinds that the claims are just,
all 1t can do is to say so and to in
form congress hat the United States
owes Henry Nelson or Phillip Stuy.
vesant such and such a sum OF
money. Then Henry Nelson and Phil.
lip -Stuyvesant go to congress and ask
that the money which really belongs
to them shall be paid, and congress
usually turns a deaf ear. OF course
claims are paid from time to time. but
many a nan with a bill which the
courts have o. KID waits many a long
year before he gets his money and
then he does not get all he deserves,
for no interest is allowed.
In his message to congress this year
President Taft urged the payment OF
the just indebtedness of Uncle Sam.
He says this pointedly: The delay
that occurs in h payment of the
money due under the claims Injuries
the reputation of the government as
an honest debtor, and l earnestly re-
commend that these claims which
come to congress with the Judgment
and approval of the court of claims
should be promptly paid"
Two Cavalry Leaders Die.
Recently two officers of high rank
on the retired list of the United States
army have died. one in this city, and
M in Virginia, just across the Poto-
mac river. Major Generals Wesley
Merritt and Eugene A. Carr died on
the same day. Both were cavalry
leaders and one of them, Merritt, died
within sight of a battlefield on which
he won fame and the stars of a major
general when he vas only twenty-five
years Of age.
Both Merritt and Carr were buried
a few days g in the cadet cemetery
at West Point on the Hudson river,
where they lie close to another fam
- o'oh iSoASi 1SO "a 0HSNNAs
who was killed in a fight with the
Sioux Indians on the Little Rosebud
June 26, 1875. Custer, like Merritt,
was a major general of volunteers at
the age of twenty-five years.
General Merritt was one of the IA
miliar figures on Pennsylvania ave
nue. and on the streets about Lafay-
cite Square. Despite his age his frame
was we'll knit and erect, his eye was
alert and his cheeks had the red hue
of early youth. Not long ago l saw
the general standing in a driving snow
storm outside the little Episcopal
church of st. Johns where many pres
idents have worshiped. The general
was waiting mis- turn patiently until
that part of the services were reached
whom nprSpnS who ara nor now hold.