The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-02
TO COST A BILLION
Estimates of Government Ex-
penses During Next Year
Secretary MacVeagh.
PENSION BILL GROWS BIGGER
The Amount Asked for Next
Year Is s1s5,22O,OOO.
Secretary of the Navy Calls for
S2S,312,22O More.
PENSION BILL GROWS BIGGER

Washington, Dec. At will cost
SS23, 3,415, ,455.14 to conduct the affairs
of the government for the fiscal year
ending June 3d. 1914, according to
the estimates of the various depart
ment heads, submitted today to the
speaker OF the house by the secretary
OF the treasury This amount, which
does not include any provision for the
postal service, which is expected 10 be
self supporting, is an increase of $72,-
U44,z4S over the appropriations made
Tor the present year by the last ses-
zSsS12,220 appears in the estimates
OF the secretary of the navy and $20,-
5S4,zO4 represents the increase asked
by the navy department in the appro-
priations for building and eQuipping
new vessels The estimates will pro-
vide for three new battIeShips to be
laid down during the year. This would
make up for the lapse of one ship
from the two battlesnips a year pro-
gram IN the department, caused by
the action of the Democratic house in
providing for but single ship at the
last session of congress
Another s20,000,00O or more of the
total increase is shown in the estimates
amount asked for is S1S5,22O, 900.
Last year but S165,146,47O was ex-
pended for pensions An increase of
about the same amount appears in the
year. The construction of public
buildings planned for the year shows
an increase of $1,012,530 over the ap-
propriations for the present year. S.
722,200 being asked for that purpose.
The work to be done during the year
on the Panama canal will cost $40
114,432 which is $1,130, 567 less than
the appropriations for the current
year.
Billion Dollar Session.
The estimates forecast another bill
lion dollar session of congress. for in
the total estimate, the postmaster
general estimates that $2s1,79I,
will be necessary to conduct his de-
partment for the year. This amount
will be supplied out of the postal re-
venues, and will bring the total esti-
mated appropriations for the year IN
to $1,105, 206. 963.
Just how these estimates will fare
at the hands OF the Democratic ma
jority in the house is the subject of
considerable conjecture Some diff
Guilty in passing appropriation bills
may follow disagreements between the
house and senate as in the last ses-
sion But the supply measures TO be
passed on the basis of the estimates
submitted today, will go into effect
after the Democrats have taken due
control of the government and it is
expected that the attitude of the
mouse majority on the questions in
vOIved in the estimates will forecast
the attitude of the coming admins
tration.
Among the estimates. which will
develop debate in congress is de-
mand for S25O.O00 for the economy
and efficiency commission, appointed
by President Taft, which is investigat-
ing and reforming the system of con-
Quoting the government business in
the various departments It was with
considerable difficulty that $4,000
was secured for the expenses of the
commission this year, and the house
Democrats look with little favor on
the board.
Another troublesome item will be
an estimate of s54,5OO for the COM
merce court The house Democrats
in vain to write into the
legislative, executive and judicial ap-
bill in the closing days of
the last session, legislation aboIishing
that court After the bill had been
twice vetoed by the president. funds /
were provided to keep the court in 1
operation until March !, 1913 If the 1
provision in the estimates is written !
into the appropriation bill this year l
it will be necessary to secure a de- I
appropriation to run the court |
from March until the end of the \
fiscal year.