Holbrook argus., 1912-02-27

mittee of the House, has soundeo warning against Congressional extra vagance. It looks now as though the. "pork barrel' would have to be set in 8 corner untapped Even expenditures for the District of Columbia are greatly pared A contemplated expenditure of $16,OO0.000 for public buildings has been shunted in caucus Not only House Leader Underwood but other prominent Democrats have been taking inventpry of the situat ion. Here are some of 'he things disclosed: The ordinary Govern ment revenues for 1911 of $70O, ,sO6 were $45, ,69l, ,619 in excess of the ordina- ry expenditures.
 The Rural Free Delivery News, pub Iished in WashiL ton as organ of the National Rural Letter Carriers Associ- atlon, says: "Ibe much vaunted snr- plus appears 10 have been due to the failure of he Depart meht 0 pay it's bils and the antiquated system of book-keep- ing" It says that in reality there is deficit in he PostCffice department this year of about $7,0O0,0OO.
 The total amount expended upon the Panama Canal to Oct. 3lst, 1911, was S252, ,732, ,369 Upon it much more will have 10 be spent.
 It is estimat that the Sherwood Pension bill means an expenditure of nearly $75,OOO,OOO yearly. Democratic Iaolare 5 not rrk daAoif a e charged to them in 1894 to confront them in the coming campaign, especial ly in view of the declarations of their platforms regarding economy in the ub1ic service.
 Of those who would "run riot" with the public money they have been ask ing, "If we make deficit, how would it look to have these words from the last national platform quoted upon us: The Republican Congress in session just ended has made appropriation amount ing to $1,OOS, ,0OO. .0OO exceeding the total expenditures of the last fiscal year by more than $90, 100000 and leaving de- ficit of more than $6O,O0O,OOO for the fis- cal year. We denounce the needless waste of the peoples money which has resulted in this appalling increase as shameful violation of all prudent con- ditions of government as no less than crime against the millions of working men and women from whose earnings the great proportion of these colossal sums must be extorted through exces- sive tariff exactions and other indirect methods. It is not surprising in view of this shocking record that the Repub- lican platform contains no reference to economical administration or promises thereof in the future. We demand that stop be put to this frightful extrava- gance and insist upon the strictest eco nomy in every department compatible with frugal and efficient administration.
 "Coincident with the enormous in- crease in expenditures is a like addi- tion to the number of otfice-holders. During the last year .784 were added. costing $l6,l56, 900, and in the last six years of the Repu blicsn administration the total number of new offices created has been 99, 319 entsiling an additional expenditure of nearly S70,000, 600 as against only 10,279 new offices created under the Cleveland and Mckinley ad- ministrations, which involved an ex- penditure of only $6,00O,O00. We de- nounce this great and growing increase of the number of office-holders as not only unnecessary and wasteful but also as clearly indicating deliberate pur- pose on the part of the administration to keep the Republican party in power at public expense by thus increasing the number of its retainers and depen- dents
 "rhe conscience of the nation is now aroused to free the government from the grip of those who have made 1t a busi- ness asset of the favur-seeking corpo rations. It must become again pro ple's government aud be aumiuist cred according to the Jeffersonian maxim: Equal rights to ali aud special prlvi- leges to none."
 In view of the innovations now pro. posed of government ownership and operation of the express, telegraph telephone business, etc., Democratic leaders are pointing out thar the plat. form then declared in favor of etfici ent regulations of such utilities, but not in favor of Government ownership and operation of the same. The histori, position of the Democratic party, it it recalled, is that public expenditures shall be limited to the needs of govern ment economically administered. Re publican members of prominence de clare that in this attitude there is littl,