The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-05
EXPENSE ESTIMATE SHOWS BIG SAVING Economy in Public Works
 Appropriation THE PENSION FUND Postoffice Department Is Expected to Be Self Self-Sustaining Dur
 ing Coming Year--Many . Appropriations
THE PENSION FUND

| , Washington, December 4.-Estimates of the treasury department for running the government during the next fiscal year, submitted to Congress today, con- template a saving of $21,2S3.921.43 as compared with the amount appro- priated for the fiscal year of 1911-1912. 2. The total amount estimated for all ex- penses of government is S745,S34,56 This amount does not include the ap- propriations for the postoffice depart ment. which is expected to be self sustaining. The appropriations made by Congress for the present fiscal year aggregated $767,21s,4s5.
 Economy of government expense pro- posed is shown to be greatest in the es- inmates for public works, which are cut from s122,040,060 to $100,716, 701, a decrease of s21,323,35S. More than half of this decrease is accounted for in a plan of the treasury department for handling appropriations for public buildings and grounds throughout the country by means of a lump appro- priation, departure from the old GUS tom, which may not be adopted by Congress. The Secretary of the Treas ury has asked for s9,000,o00 to be ex- pended at his discretion.
 Decreases are shown in the estimate submitted for the pension fund, conduct of the executive establishment and for the department of agriculture. Sub stantial increases, however, in es- inmates asked for the military and naval estimates almost offset the other savings.
 For work on the Panama canal $45,- 560000 is estimated, an increase of nearly $4,000,000 over the appropria- tion for the present year.
 This does not include expenditures for Qualifications of the canal zone, the estimates asking an appropriation of s5640,950 to be expended for army Qualifications and mine stations in the zone. For this purpose last year $3.o00,0O0 was appropriated.
 Under the military establishment head an increased appropriation of 5,000, 900 is asked for seacoast artil- lery. The total estimate for fortifica- tions and other works Of defense Is $721Ss99, nearly $2,000,00o more than was spent this year.
 Secretary of Navy Meyers estimates propose a continuance of,the two bat tleships naval programme. although the estimates are. $1,000,000 less than this years appropriations so far as
 increase of the navy Is concerned To continue at work on the shops now un- der construction and begin construction of two battleships and two colliers with provisions for equipment s24,323,- 473 is asked.
 The estimates recommend the appro- priation of s29,460.23S for the improve ment of rivers and harbors, practically all of it to be expended on projects al- ready begun or authorized. This is about S500,000 less than the appropria- tion for the present year.
 Postmaster General Hitchcock es- inmates that it will cost him s260, ,93S, ,463 to run the postal service next year This is about s2.500,000 more than the department expended this year An experimental parcels post scheme to be placed in operation on postal routes is proposedsin the estimates and $50, ,00O,- 900 is asked for this purpose. A pro- viso gives the Postmaster General au- thority to limit to II pounds the weight of parcels carried during the experi- ment and to fix rates. Experimental aerial postal service" by aeroplane or other devices is also recommended by the Postmaster General and he wants $50000 to spend in trying out the scheme.
 For other departments of govern ment the running expense estimates show little change in totals.