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

greatly unoeIeStluidteu tHe ditoehl ~
would cost.
Estimates of the sums required to meet
the obligations OF such legislation are
usually SO understated by the propo-
nents," he said. In 1872 the so-called ar
rears of pension act was passed. IL be-
came a law in January. In March a fff-
teen-month limitation of the time within
which such claims might be presented
was fixed.
1.-The advocates of that legislation as
serted 1t would not impose an obligation
of more than from $70Oo, 600 to sl3oco.0oo.
The fact is Ii has taken more than SSn.-
100000. The result I'm that instance has
not been different from similar estimates
upon other proposed legislation
Mr.. Fitzgerald recalled that the Sher-
wood bill had been taken up last Friday.
December 4. just thirty-ftve years to the
day after the pension appropriation meas
ure was taken up in 1876 He quoted
from speeches of James A. Garfield and
others, at that time as demonstrative OF
the belief then prevailing that the limit
of pension appropriations had been
reached. although that bill carried only
$2S. 5S3. 900
Yet since them said Mr. Fitzgerald.
the pension appropriation bill has grown
to a sum never dreamed possible i'm those
days by able men who actively partici-
pated in the war. Since 1890 the pension
bill has been in excess of S1Wclo0n an
nually and since 1905 in excess of $50
O0O.OOO annually. II this bill becomes
law more than s2D.oI,9o-indeed. more
than S2.j. 00W0-will be required to
meet the pension obligations of the gov
eminent In the fiscal year 1913.
Comparison of Pension Totals.
In furtherance of his claim that the
United States has been more than gem
erous. more than lavish, in expenditures
for pension purposes. Mr.. Fitzgerald pre-
scented an interesting comparison OF the
pension roll totals OF this and other coun-
tries He showed that last year the
United States spent for pension purposes
Sl62,63l. 129. while Great Britain spent
S2S.391.3 IN France S3l ,3Go.Go1: Germany.
$4o.sOo.s14; Austria, s20o3I.6jS and Hun
gary, So. 1851
'All combined said Mr. Fitzgerald
they spent x33,OO0.NU less than was
spent in the United States.
Even more startling figures were pre-
sented by Mr.. Fitzgerald for the thirty
year period from 1881 TO 1911. He showed
that during that time Great Britain eX-
pended s7b.gs5G3 for military and naval
pensions and the United States disbursed
the enormous sum of So. 1l5. 7::1. 152 for the
same purpose. an excess for this country
of $2.94 49, $40
These figures" said Mr. Fitzgerald,
serve to Indicate that our policy has
been otherwise than nggardly; 1t has
been generous. if not lavish
The appropriations chairman remarked
that mighty little attention had been
given during the last few days of debate
on the Sherwood bill to the effect of that
measure upon the financies of the coun-
try.
Figures From the Treasury.
Let no idle DREAM he cried Induce
gentlemen TO support this bill. have
obtained from the Secretary of the
Treasury his estimates OF the revenues
during the next ensuing fiscal year An
analysis of this demonstrates that unless
additional revenues can be obtained or
very radical reductions made in the APP
preparations there will he a deficit for
the fiscal year 1913. regardless Of the
burdens to be imposed by this bill
The Secretary estimates the ordinary
receipts for 1913 at 1867, 100000. and
the postal receipts at s26O,93s a
are S1,U6. 173027.
AS I pointer out the other day. there
should be added to this $4,000, 900 ad-
ditional for public buildings. not in
deficit is s9I 1874, :564. Even if the pro
ceeds of Panama canal bonds to the
amount of 81, 2SS. 40 are eliminated. as
by the Secretary of the Treas
ury, 1t will leave deficit of 81. $40 SOB.
The Secretary estimates a surplus of
$2S.079.196 in ordinary receipts and
expenditures and deficit Of S1S.184.563
by including the estimates for the
canal. but he does so by eliminating
from consideration SEQ $50 600 which |
under the requirements OF the sinking |
fund act must be applied to the dis /
charge of the public debt.
Prevents Retrenchment.
ITO add at this time the obligations
which this bill will impose is to deny
the country that retrenchment which |
It expects from democratic House
There is but one way to reduce the |
enormous expenditures of our govern
ment and that is to stop opening wider !
the channels through which the gol len /
stream passes.
THE growth of our federal expenditures /
is justly causing alann throughout the |
country. This is IN erA of extravaganza !
IN nation. in statYS ard in the many mu- |
inequalities Of the land; the extension of |
activities is hearing up |
bnrdens more oppressive to |
the people tkan the universal military |
burdens of Europe.
III relief as to come it can come only |
as result Of heroic effort. There are
demanded in peace from the |
people in nowise less burdensome than |
those resulting from war