New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-27
Only Economy" Was in At
tempt to Cripple the Navy
and Other Departments
President Points
Out Inconsistency.
From The Tribune Bureau


TO the casual observer it would ap-
pear that under Democratic rule the
national government could be run more
nomicaily-efiiciency not entering
into the subject-but The Tribune in
vites its readers attention 20 the fact
that the Democratic majority in the
House Of Representatives have effected
Saving" Of more than SLOOO'oOO by
failure TO appropriate for authorized
expenditures, which Will result in a de-
ficiency that must be provided for at
the next session Of Congress-after the
elections.
Economy Claims inconsistent.
President Taft pointed out the incon-
sistency Of the Democratic contentious
in his message vetoing the army appro-
priation bill when he said:
II is urged that great savings in ex.
penditures are effected by the bill. !
have examined carefully its provisions
and believe this contention to be IN
founded. Thus an examination OF the
bill in comparison with the estimates
showed that there will be a deficit in the
pay Of the army alone of $2,2b2,93n !
also find that the amount appropriated
for the subsistence Of the army is S1Sl,.
787 below the amount originally asked
for in the estimates and over S9Oo,UUU
below the amount which, owing to the
subsequent rise in the cost of rations
and other causes, will actually be nee
essary. This simply means that to that
extent the alleged economy IS arrived
at by a failure to appropriate over
S3,OOOO00, which will become necessary
to pay and support the army before the
end Of the coming year.
Again, the appro priation for the guar.
termasters department falls short OF
the estimates by S1,338,31o. ! find by
inquiry that only a portion Of this can
be met by enforced economy. AS to
the remainder, the quartermaster gen.
eral must either fall back upon his sup
ply Of reserve stores or incur def
cheney.
But this is only one instance. The
same situation virtually exists in each
department. and indicates that the cf-
ficiency of the government service
would be greatly impaired should the
Democrats gain control Of all branches
Of the government.
Compared with the appropriations
made at the first regular session Of the
6lst Congress-during the TAFT admin
istration-the appropriations Of the
present session show an increase Of
ST.. 134,514 The total appropriations
Of the first regular session Of the last
Congress amounted 10 ,02G9O1,-
go Is. which included an appTopria-
ton of $50 100000 representing an ad-
vance to the reclamation fund, reim-
bursablc from receipts Of the reclama-
ton fund. And this showing was made
without destroying tho efficiency Of the
government and without failing TO pro-
vide the necessary money 10 carry on
the work Of the government.
Saved" 100000 on 8attleship.
The Democratic majority in the
House also effected the saving OF
over 100000 by failure to carry out
its platform pledges TO provide and
maintain an adequate and well pro-
p0rtioned navy, sufficient 10 defend
American policies. protect our citizens
and uphold the honor and dignity OF
the nation" The Democrats failed to
provide for two battleships, limiting
the naval programme Of next year L
one battleship and several minor YES
sells.
II is well known that five caucuses
were necessary before the Democrats
agreed TO provide for even one battle
ship, the ajority of the members de-
slsring that unless the caucus agreed
to pork barrel" public buildings bill
they would refuse to sanction the bat
fieship programme. 1t was agreed,
however, that it would he better for
political reasons to wait until after
election in November before passing a
public buildings bill.
II President Taft and a Republican
Senate had not stood in their way the
Democrats might have effected a much
greater saving by aboHshing two Of
the most important bureaus in the De
partment Of State--the Bureau of
Trade Relations and the Division Of
Latin-American Affairs. The plan,
would have badly crippled the State
Department had it carried.
If the Democratic House majority
o. had been sincere in their efforts to
bring about greater economy they
would have acted on President Tafts
recommendation TO extend the civil
service to include the local officers
under several of the departments, and
thereby saved about S1O.O00OOO. This
is one Of several recommendations
made TO Congress by President Taft,
based on the findings OF the Economy
and Efficiency Commission, by when
economy in government expenditures
could be effected and the efficiency OF
the fub1fp gerVica Increased