The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-07-21
Washington Letter.

man Tawney of the appropriations COM
mittee of the House of Representatives
has issued the annual review of the Ma
tional appropriations and expenditures,
and every voter who is interested in the
revenues and expenses of the Govern
ment should read these figures carefully.
1t would be natural to assume that the
expenditures of a great Government like
ours, which is expanding so. rapidly in
every department, coincident with the in
crease in population, power and respon-
sibility, would show a normal and con-
slant increase year after year, and yet
the total appropriations for the fiscal
wear ending June 80, 1911. are over $685.
900, 900 less than for the fiscal year 1910.
In other words, in spite of a considerable
increase that might be expected, there
is actually considerable decrease. Total
appropriations for 1910 amounted to Sl,-
O55, 1858, 267. SS, while the appropriations
fornext wear amount to 81, 02S, 125, 1888.
1t must be remembered, however, that
these sums are not wholly tax upon the
Government: for instance, $244, 900, 600
were appropriated for the postoffice de-
partment, and almost this entire amount
will flow back into the government
through the postal revenues-that IN
itself reduces the appropriations to less
than $780, 900, 600
Then again, it must be considered that
millions are appropriated for construc-
ton and other purposes, which will not
be used until later years. In fact, the
ordinary receipts and expenditures Of the
Government amount to only about 500, =
900, 600 annually, so that when the Dem
ocrats talk about billion-dollar Cvl
crosses. they are simply trying to mis-
lead the people ara to advance the sugges-
ton that we are raising through taxation
and expending hundreds Of millions more
than we really are.
The twelve regular appropriation acts
that provide for the annual expenses of
the Goyernment-tha is, the agriculture
al army, diplomatic and consular, Dis
trict Of Columbia. fortification, Indian,
Legislative. military academy, navy, PEN
sion, postotfice and sundry civil appro-
priation acts appropriate in all for the
conduct of the Government during the
fiscal wear ending June go 1911, 1919, :
647. Q52. %, which sum is IS, 500, 085. "A less
than the regular estimates therefor sub
nittad to Congress at the beginning of
the session in December last, and S44,-
q14. 527. IS less than was carried in the
CORES ponding acts, including amounts
appropriated at the extra session for the
fiscal year 1910,
The river and harbor act, passed at
this session, appropriates Sal 1929 so,
and in addition, authorizes contracts in
volving further expenditures amounting
to $40, 61S, COS The river and harbor act,
PASSED at the last session of the last
Congress, appropriated only SO, 435, $50
and authorized contracts in addition for
only $685.. SIS. That act was not general
in its character, but provided chiefly for
the repair and maintenance and upkeep
of improvements already accomplished.
No river and harbor act at all was passed
at the previous or first session of the last
Congress. The one enacted March 2,
1907, which should be considered as the
one general river and harbor act next
preceding the one passed at this session,
appropriated S37, l0S, 0S3 and authorized
contracts in addition to the amount of
$40, 500. 349. 1t is therefore apparent
that in comparison with the act that is
to be considered as its immediate prede-
cessor. the river and harbor act Just
passed appropriates outright and author
ICES expenditures under contracts less by
S34.9 8, 7l3. so.
The total deficiencies appropriated for
are gratifyingly less by S7,5S7, 654. u
than those of the last session of the last
Congress, and Sl1, S25, 7SS.71 less than
the average annual DEFICIENCIES provided
for on account of any fiscal year since
1928, the year of the Spanish-American
War 1t will be remembered that ap-
preparations amounting to nearly $780,
600, 000 We're made in deficiency appro-
priation acts to provide for the expenses
of the war with Spain. For many fiscal
years prior to that period, the record
shows that deficiencies We're usually but
little less and sometimes considerably
more than those of this session.
Mr.. Tawney, chairman Of the appro-
priation committee of the House, in his
annual statement, gives full credit to the
President for his aid in his efforts to-
wards economy, stating that the bust
nesslike consideration given to the prep
aration of the estimates of the appro-
priations submitted by the Executive to
this session Of Congress, has saved to
the Treasury, as shown by the actual
appropriations made, great many mill
lions of dollars.