Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-14
.S927,eSs.4
$71o,o00.ooO
2S1,791,5OS
Estimated Revenues.

1.-The estimated revenues for 1914 are
$63, S53, ,O45 In excess of the estimated rev.
enues for the current year; but the esti-
mates Of the money required to conduct
the public service, as submitted December
last by the outgoing administration. are
sos. .943, ,9O4. SO in excess of the estimates
for the current year.
1T was a notorious fact that the enact
ment of the modified Sherwood pension
law subsequent to the passage OF the
pension appropriation act in the last
session would necessitate very substantial
additional appropriations at this session.
With the miscellaneous obligations au-
thorized at every session of Congress,
and the amounts required for legalized
deficiencies, the deficit predicted by the
Treasury Department of $2,556. 023, ,os
more accurately should have been placed
at least at $JO.OOOOO.
1.-The indifference of the administration
to this situation readily misled congress
as to the country's financial condition.
When the present system OF preparing
gress is considered. 1t is a matter of sur
prise that the appropriations are not
much in excess of their present totals.
There is no system at present. and there
of estimates under the present methods
O. the House as is essential.
THE practice OF divided responsibility
in the preparation of the annual appro-
priation bills has been. ever since its
adoption. subjected to the scverest ad-
verse criticism by the press and by
public men who have discussed 1t.
'In my opinion all of the appropria-
ton bills should be prepared in one COM
mittee. 1t is the only logical method
other schemes designed to accomplish
the desired end will not succeed. It would
be lust as sensible to distribute control
of tariff rates on articles In the various
schedules to different committees as to
continue the present control Of appropria-
tions.
unfortunately, whenever 1t Is proposed
to consolidate the appropriation bills In
one committee the suggestion Is construed
as a reflection or criticism on the per-
House..
Cannon Notes Excess.
Mr.. Cannon, in his statement, said in
part:
"All performances of republican houses
pale into utter insignifcance when placed
in contrast with what the democratiu
House of Representatives of the Sixty
second Congress has accomplished in
emptying the Treasury and piling up OBJ
legations against revenues to be derived
by direct taxation and from revenue of
free-trade tariff laws, for which the new
administration stands committed and SOL
emnly pledged.
1.-The present Congress- with its large
| democratic majority in the House. has
INCREASED direct appropriations over those
| made by the previous Congress. controll-
ed by a republican majority in both
branches. by the immense sum of $63.-
| 476 1OO.22. and the contract liabilities and
| obligations In the nature of authorized
| public works, additional to specific appro-
| priations. for the session now closing ex-
ceed those Of the last session of the last
republican Congress by more than $23.-
3S3, $50, or q total excess Of combined df-
| rect appropriations and authorized ex-
| penditures by this Congress over its re-
! publican predecessor Of $50, 500, ,O49.22
| Nor should it be overlooked that Of
the s43. .454, las Of contracts authorized al
| the last session of the last republican
House $3O,352. 500 was for battleships and
| other vessels for the American navy. in
| which all patriotic citizens are equally in.
| terested, and nothing was authorized for
public buildings in local communities. OF
| the contracts and obligations authorized
| this session and to be appropriated foz
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