The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-03-17

tioLal extravagance. Only q small
part OF. our expenditure is represent
ed by debt tables. The rest is raised
by increased taxation. ! know of
nothing bearing more directly or
forcibly upon the subject of nation
al waste and the conservation of ma
tural resources than the profligacy
disclosed by our public expenditures.
Although the great business o.
expension of this country began
right after the civil war, the ex-
penses for 1890 were but $4,000
600 greater than those of 20 years
before. Since 1890 these expendi-
lures have grown by $4,000, 900
each nine years on the average of
100000 900 a year, or until now they
are 1914 per cent more than they
were Is years ago. Expressed in
terms of present per capita outgo
these charges, which are only part
of the cost of maintaining the fed
eral government, rose from $4.75 in
1890 to $3.50 in 1900 and to $7.56
in 1908.
"It is always asserted, when the
truth is told, and a demand for eco
nomy is made, that the development
of the country and it's increase of
wealth has been so great as to re-
quire and justify increased outlay,
The apology is neither relevant nor
true. 1t is not necessary that ex-
pense should increase in the same
ratio as growth. But the growth of
expenditure has so far outrun the
growth of the country that the actual
figures are almost incredible.
1.-THE phenomenal increase of pub
lie expenditures has already pro-
duced plentiful crop of public ills.
1t is one of the causes of the increase
in prices now disturbing the people.
This increase follows in a suggestive
way the initiation of national and 10
cal budgets. The average cost of the
supplies that must be bought for
practically every household has in
creased about so per cent between
1896 and 1900.
During the past year there has
been a marked lifting of the price
level. Foodstuffs cost from 10 to 70
per cent more than 10 years ago.
Something of this is due to enor-
nous currency initiation. The total
per capital in the United States in
1896 was $21.41 and in 1900 it was
$35.O1. Although population has
grown by many millions in these
years the amount of money
of each individual has increased by
1850, or more than 60 per cent.
The increase in the total gold pro-
duction of the world, which rose
from $118,S48,000 in 1890 to over
$427, 100000 in 1908, has been made
the basis for one form and another
of credit issues aggregating vast
sum.
"The tariff is another contributing
cause. 1t is true that 1t can furnish
but partial explanation. For to
only limited extent can the rise
in food prices be affected by or
traced to the tariff.
combinations which are actual
iy in restraint of trade, which have
their field and are ra-
Their controlled by secret manage
ment or a secret agreement to main
.ain exorbitant prices are partly re-
,ponsible
"Still more of the rise of prices
S due to the decline of agricultural
products as compared with the in
crease of population. Decreases in
he number of cattle and swine Is
also given as a reason.
"When due allowance has been
made for the effect of these forces
md their make for dearer living,
here still remains large unex-
blamed balance. This must be cred
ted to the lavish expenditures which
lave now grown to be a national
raft
Waste, idleness and rising wages
LII inter-related to ane another, now
Is cause and now as effect, are, next
% an over issue of irredeemable pa
,er, the most powerful forces in the
world to raise prices.
Perhaps the greatest factor OF
LII in the price problem is the wage
.ates. Everybody knows that labor
,ost is the principal item in all forms
If industry. The wage rate has
3een rising steadily in this country.
70 resist it is difficult and may be
dangerous.
"The effect of national waste OF