Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-26
WHEElSNQT TQSTOP
Congress to Continue the Cur
rent Appropriations.
CTf0N DUE - -'9NDAY
Both Houses Expected to Adopt En-
aiding Resolution.
ALREADY BEFORE THE SENATE
Precedent in 1877 for Present Con-
ditions-Army Officers Paid
by Bankers.

That no function OF the executive de-
partment OF the United States govern
ment will cease July I. by reason OF the
fact that many of the big appropriation
bills for the government have not and
cannot be enacted into law before that
date. was the confident statement made
at each end of the Capitol today.
1t had been suggested that the wheels
Of the government might cease to revolvs
because the appropriations for the gov
eminent had not been made. the gov
eminent being expressly prohibited from
accepting free service In a recent law.
However, II is planned to adopt a res
olution which will continue In eject
the current appropriations until the
new laws have been passed. Such
resolution has already been introduced
In the Senate by Senator Gallinger. and
1t Is expected a similar resolution will /,
be introduced In the House by Chair i
man Fitzgerald of the appropriations
committee. 4sssAt
Will Rush Authority.
Under the unanimous consent agree
ment OF the Senate no business other
than the regular morning routine bust
ness can be taken up until Monday
morning. July I. But IL Is expected
that the resolution continuing the cur
rent appropriations will be rushed
through both houses at the earliest
possible moment Monday, and that there
will be no interference with public
business. either in the navy yards or
any other department OF the govern
ment.
Once before the army was obliged to go
on for several months without receiving
any financial support from Congress.
That was In the year 1877. President
Hayes was then In the White House and
the democrats we're in control OF the
House OF Representatives. The regular
annual appropriation bill for the army
for the fiscal year 1877 contained a clause
making a large reduction In the strength
Of the army. President Hayes vetoed
the BILL and Congress adjourned without
until the following October, when Con-
Eress was reconvened in extra session
and enacted the necessary legislation. the
army was without government funds.
Operates on Credit.
During that period the military estab-
lishment was operated almost entirely on
credit. Drexel, Morgan & Co. OF New
York and other bankers advanced about
81. 100000 for the prompt payment OF the
monthly salaries Of the ofhcers. ana ar
rangements were made with contractors
for furnishing the necessary subsistence
for the soldiers, payment being made con-
tingent on future appropriations
Judge Devens, Attorney General at that
time, held that there was no legal Inn
propriety in the issue OF pay certificates
on which the bankers would advance the
amounts called for. Referring to the
statute that forbids the expenditure or
by Congress for that fiscal year, or IN
volving the government In any contract
for the future payment OF money In ex-
cess OF such appropriations. the Attor-
4, ,uISf - oil
that q statement by paymaster that
he believes an account to be correct, and
that he himself would pay II II he had
public funds available for the purpose,
does not involve. nor is 1t an attempt to
involve. the government In any contract
for the future payment OF money In ex-
cess of the appropriations.
Accepting the precedent established At
that time when Congress made provision
for the expenses incurred by the army in
the interim when no appropriations were
available. a number OF bankers and brok-
ers recently notified Officers OF the army
that they will cash their current pay GER
tificates without interest or discount SO
long as 1t may be made necessary by the
deadlock over the army appropriation
BILL
Private Soldiers Left Out.
Though commissioned officers may tenn
porarily obtain their monthly pay through
banks and business houses, enlisted men
may not be as able to do so on account OF
the different systems of the army pay
ments Ofiicers are paid by check and
the soldiers receive their pay in cash.
The lack of money is not likely to prove
so much of a hardship to the soldiers as
1t would to the officers. for the reason
that while the latter have to bear their
own subsistence living expenses. the SOL
diers are fully provided by the govern
ment with food, clothing and shelter, etc.
The officials of the War Department are
looking carefully into the situation and
will prepare instructions for the guidance
of disbursing officer OF appropriations TOR
lay i'm the making Of appropriations for
tho army f0r the next fiscal year