The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-08-27
SESSION COST
sl,0l9,000,00
Democratic and Republican Leaders
Agree on Appropriation
Aggregate.
FITZGERALD IN DEFENSE
OF DEMOCRATIC ECONOMY
Blames Estimates Of Executive De-
partments for Failure Of
Further Reductions.

were authorized in the session of Con-
gress that came to an end yesterday. For
the first time in many years at the end
of a session leaders of both parties prac-
tically agree as to the amount that has
been made available for a years govern
ment activities.
Representative John ]. Fitzgerald Of
New York, chairman of the House Com
mittee on Appropriations, estimated that
the authorization for expenditures footed
up to S,019. SIS, 1886 Representative Jo-
seph G. Cannon of Illinois, the Repub-
lican leader on the committee, concurs in
the conclusion reached by Chairman Fftz-
gerald. Senator Francis G. Warren of
Wyoming. chairman of the Senate Com
mittee on Appropriations, made a state
ment in which. he fixed the amount at
81, 0ls. 900 900. The same estimate was made
by Senator Lee s. Overman of North
Carolina, ranking Democratic member of
the committee.
Senator Warren and Representative
Cannon predicted that the expenses of
the government would increase with
every session of Congress in the future.
Senator Overman declared with proper
economy 800, 900 900 could be saved in the
administration of the affairs of the
government. Representative Fitzgerald
charged the Taft administration with
share of the responsibility for the big
appropriations of the session.
x21,O11,ss2 Under Estimates.
According to figures given out by Mr..
Fitzgerald the amount made available
for disbursement in the new fiscal year
is 81 oil, Ss2 less than the estimates SUBJ
mitted to Congress at the beginning or
the session. The estimates footed up TO
he Il
alton in round numbers OF 81, 0l9. ooO,0 600 is
S.O46,73S under the authorization made at
the last session of the last Congress.
which was controlled in both branches
by the Republicans. In other words the
Democrats have berated the Republicans
on the ground of extravaganza for years.
and yet they have succeeded in Topping
only about 100000 from the expendi-
lures of the government Chairman Fftz-
gerald recalled a statement made by
President Taft in his message OF jan
uary II, 1912, to the effect that the needs
of the nation may demand a large in
crease of expenditure, yet to keep the
appropriations within the expected reve-
nue. is necessary to the maintenance or
public credit"
1t was in that spirit that the i'm
portant work of the Appropriations Com
mittee was undertaken" said Mr.. Fitz-
gerald.
In charging that the Republicans were
largely responsible for the big appro-
priations, Mr.. Fitzgerald pointed out that
the House in passing the supply bills
reduced them 81. 900 below the annual
estimates, and nearly SSoooo.oo0 below the
appropriations OF the previous Republic
can Congress. He charged that the Sen
ate in passing the same bills increased
the amount by more than s66, 900. 900. or
s2s. oS7, S45 in excess Of the estimates. Mr..
Fitzgerald criticised the Taft admins
tration for an alleged lack OF frankness
in submitting estimates to Congress. He
charged, in substance. that the admin
istration, in forwarding the original
did not set forth all the money
required to keep the wheels Of govern
ment in motion.
Chairman Fitzgerald defended the at
titude OF the House Democrats toward
the navy. An attempt has been made
to mislead the public into the belief that
the economies effected have been at the
expense of the naval establishment"
Mr. Fitzgerald.