Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-04

The estimates for running the govern
ment during the fiscal year 1918. which
the democratic leaders Of the House say
they intend to cut to the bone, were sent
to Congress today by the Secretary of
the Treasury.
Evidence of care with which President
Taft and his official advisers pruned the
estimates is afforded by the fact that
the grand total for 1913, exclusive of the
cost of operating the postal service.
which is practically self-supporting, is
$745. .564. This is nearly 100000 less
than the estimates for 1912, and $21, 1885,
922 less than the appropriations made at
the last regular session of Congress.
The republican leaders in Congress are
Inmates. and say that 1t will be practical
~ impossible for the democrats to make
material reductions without seriously
crippling the efficiency Of the government
service The democrats, on the other
hand. refer to the fact that the once
famous Holman rule, which permits gen.
eral legislation on appropriation bills SO
long as that legislation tends to reduc-
ton Of expenditures. Is working again.
after q quarter Of a century Of disuse.
having been incorporated by the demo-
Gratis in the rules of the House immediate
ly upon the converting Of the special ses-
sion last spring.
The last time this rule was in effect 1t
resulted In a reduction Of about 30 per
cent In governmental expenditures under
the preceding republican outlay. While
even the most optimistic of the majority
party do not anticipate any such won
derful cut this year, they do claim that
the country will be startled by the re-
auctions they are able to effect without
impeiring the machinery of government
in the slightest. They intend to make
economy one Of the big issues Of the 1912
campaign.
Principal Reductions.
In the estimates sent to the Capitol to-
day, the legislative establishment asks
for T.2oe.40e as against appropriations
aggregating 1892. iO4 for the current
year: the executive establishment for
sI.15o,069. as compared with $2S, 1O9 425.
provided for in the current law. and the
judicial establishment for S1.31sS9O, as
compared with 31,3S8.S2S, for the current
year. The estimates for the Depart
ment Of Agriculture are nearly a million
dollars under the current appropriation
Secretary Wilson asks for $17. 233. 49, as
against SIS, 1O9, 431. at his disposal during
tho present twelve-month period For
compared with s4.157.S15, this year. The
war estimates have jumped I'D more than
two millions.
Secretary StimsOn wants $97, $780, 1O3 next
year. although his present appropriation
is only $96.3i6666. Secretary Meyer. who
only the other day called attention to the
rapid deterioration of the vessels of the
American Navy. wants 1921. 267 143. His
appropriation this year Is $1I0,229119 1t
- OF interest. however. that although this
total OF the estimates shows an increase
MT. Meyers proposition for the increase
OF the navy is about $24,OOO.OOO. nearly a
million less than he asked this year The
estimates for Indian affairs aggregate
xS.5i14D. few hundred thousand less
than the current appropriations while
the amount asked for pensions 1852 6S7,-
soN u nearly -FOUR million less than the
current expenditures for that purpose.
Cut on Public Works.
The greatest decrease is shown In the
estimates for public works. which have
been cut from 1922 O4O O6O to 500. 71s 10.
reduction Of $2i .323.3 5s. But more than
half OF this decrease is the result OF a
scheme of the Treasury Department TO
handle appropriations for public buildings
and grounds throughout the country nv
means Of a lump appropriation. For this
purpose the Secretary of the Treasury
asks 100000. to be expended at his dis
cretion In note accompanying this es-
timate he explains that to care proper,y
by specific appropriations for public build
tngs already authorized would entail the
expenditure OF more than 1900 COO This
sum he does not include In his estimates
mighty particular to obtain definite assur
ance that buildings In their districts will
be taken care Of. 1t Is foregone conclusion
that the Secretary's lump-sum scheme
will be rejected and the larger amount.
despite economy demands, included In the
bill.
The estimate for permanent annual an
preparations next year Is 1888. 2O6, 424,
something less than a million under the
current appropriation, and under the head
OF miscellaneous appropriations $74.511. SIS
IL requested, nearly two million more
than the current figure.
Money for the Canal.
Col Goethals thinks he can spend $45-
100000 for the Panama canal in 1913
which Is an increase OF neatly four mill
lions over this years appropriation. I'm
der the military establishment an increase
OF 100000 over this year is asked for
the 6eacoast Artillery and an increase Of
Si.745l82 for Notifications. The begin
ming OF work on the plans for terrifying
tie caral is forecasted IN an estinal@
b64H95o TO be expended in this work
~ $3,0OO.o00 was appropriated for this