Bisbee daily review., 1911-05-25

Holman of Indiana, then 8 member and later chairman of the appropria- tions committee. devised this scheme for reducing the governments an- nual expenditures.
 When the Holman rule was first invoked in 1876 the annual appro- priations of the government, because of it's adoption, fell off $30,000. 900. That was a tremendous cut in those days. before a billion dollar congress was heard of. and when the annual expenses of the government were hardly half what they are today.
 Republican Practice.
 The democrats used the Holman rule through the 44th, 45th, 46th, 47th and 18th congresses. IL was not used in the 18th congress, but was again restored in the sgd and 53rd b congresses. When the republicans came into power in the 5ith con gress. they threw the Holman rule into the discard, and decided that hereafter DO legislation should be found in an appropriation measure. Consequently, if an office, & salary. or a bureau were once established, # could not be legislated out of e1- istence when the appropriations committee came to appropriate for the next years exenses. One friend in the house of such an office or bureau was sufficient to retain it, through the simple expedient of mak- ing point of order
 For sixteen years the republicans have held that legislation must be senersue and distinct from apsfo- priations.
 Will Cut Them Down.
 When the democrats came into power in the house at the convening of this extra session. one of the first policies decided upon was that there should be reduction all along the line in the way of the govern. ment's appropriations.
 The democrats recalled that Sem ator Aldrich. in an unguarded mo- ment. once said that this government could save s300,000,0O0 per year by an economical administration of it's affairs. This to the democrats was the cue that there existed examples of extravaganza and waste in the government departments. and the militant democracy immediately set about to remedy the situation.
 The Holman rule was thought of by members of the appropriations committee, in which committee room most of the pruning of the govern ment nay rolls must be done. The old rule was looked uD, and, despite its sixteen years vacation, it appear ed just as vigorous and effective as ever When the rules of the new house were drawn, a pToviso was in- serted that legislation may be in order in an appropriation bill, If such legislation will subtract any thing from Uncle Sans expenses.
 h Rules of the House.
 The democratic caucus swallowed the rule gleefully and it was read into the permanent rules of the house. The appropriation committee today Is therefore clothed with the power to prune salaries anywhere they were needed and to abolish any sinecures which 1t may find in pour. ring over the estimates or derprt- mental expenses sent in by the cabi- net officers.
 Without the Holman rule, the abo- lition of Q bureau or some recogniz ed branch Of the government service 1 must Of necessity he accomnIished by a bill, introduced ia regular or der. and going through the legisla- tive channels in the house Under the Holman rule. no bill is neces. sary and all that the appropriations committee needs 10 do is to order that an appropriation for some par 1 ticular thing shall be discontinued ] The possibility of such summary ac ! ton has caused many holders of fat ' jots. who have long been upon the | payroll Of Uncle Sam, to grow un. easy. l. means that they. or theiI 1 immediate superiors at the head o | the department, must make out a ] case before the apurouriations com ! mittee and must show that the DO sition is not in reality a sinecure. Can Save $500 900 900. If the democrats live up to theiI 1 promises ana go out for an economy i record and for the saving Of that . S200 oN0 900 talked about by the : lone-time leader Of the United States : senate. many official beads will fall | and there will not be the same fiber alitv in approximations that has 2 marked the passage of appropriation measures during the last few years It is a fact that the appropriation bill goes through the house nracric1lly | as prepared by its committee. The house seldom adds anything and il increases are made they are genar ! ally nut on in the senate. The dem oeratic house. however, will not be ayerse to cutting out items here and there if 1t leaves something ir the treasury. so the Holman rule will be greeted with a great hurrat ] when | begins to work.