The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-14
Promise to Use Influ-
ence to Hold Down
Appropriations.
IN CONFERENCE
WITH SPEAKER
Excess of Estimated Expendi-
lures Over Estimated Revenues
for Year Is $73, o81, 777-Treas,
ury Balance in Danger Be-
cause of Increasing
Demands.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.l

Especial to The Times Dispatch
Washington. December 13.-Demo-
cratic chairmen of appropriation COM
mittees of the House assured Speaker
Clark and House Leader Underwood
to-day that they would use influence
with their committee members to hold
down all appropriations in compliance
with the Baltimore convention plat
form instruction for economy. and
that there may run no danger of n
Treasury deficit following enactment
OF the new tariff Law.
It was the first time the Speaker OF
the House has ever summoned appro-
priation chairmcn for general econ
omy conference, preceding formation of
the government money supply bills. 1t
resulted to-day because Of danger to
the Treasury balances growing out of
increasing demands for money and crit
icism of the Democratic administration,
Representatives and Cabinet members
Tor money, to put into effect new poll
cies contemplating enlargement of de-
partmental activities. Chairman Fitz-
gerald of the General Appropriation
Committee. submitted report under
which the total estimate of revenues
for the fiscal year 1e14-1e15. for which
"a,
placed at S1,oS5, 100000. The total es-
Innate Of regular and permanent an
nual appropriations for this fiscal year
is s1,10S,6S .777. The excess OF esti-
mated appropriations, exclusive of de-
ficiencies and miscellaneous expenses,
over the estimated revenues for the
year is $73.6S1,777. Were this deficiency
to occur 1t would have to be made up
through bond issue or be carried
over as charge against the next
fiscal years rec eipts.
PAIRING OF Estir1stes.
Estimates fer the depa rtments have
exceeded always the annual appropria-
lions, and the pairing of estimates has
been done by the House committees,
allowance being made for the inevita BILE
increases by the Senate where the
purse string is drawn so rigidly.
The total estimates for the fiscal
year. 1914-1s16. are s3S.466.4es in ex-
cess of tho appropriations OF last year.
The estimates Tor l2l3-l914 aggregated
sl.l50. 206,s63. and the appropriations
aggregated s1.0eS.s1S,7ss The ak Is to
he welded vigorously this year to cut
the estimates below the estimated
revenues. Tho Navy Department has
increased its estimates for 1915 only
s3,615,sl0 over the appropriations OF
1914, but the committee will have
majority in favor OF authorization of
two battleshtps. for which an appro-
pr!ation Will be made. AS each ship
requires three years to construct, the
total appropriation for either ship will
not be made this year. Members OF
the House favoring n naval construc-
ton holiday for one year under agree
ment with foreign nations. will oppose
bhttleship construction this year.
Not to BE Opposed.
Increased appropriations for tho
PostOffice and Agriculture Depart
ments are not TO te opposed. 1t Is
held that the Post ONCE Department
Will become a revenue producer to the
government. with contemplated extern
sion of the postal savings and parcel
post systems, and money authorized
for It's support is a matter simply Of
government bookkeeping
The Department of Agriculture is to
10 aided in appropriations because
through educational work with farm
ers it is hoped TO increase production
OF food products. and thereby reduce
the high cost OF living
The sl0,sS1.613 increase asked by the
War Department is intended to cover
assistance to be given State militia, as
an adjunct to the regular army, and
not to increase the standing army
strength. The House Military Affairs
committee will cut this estimate.
1t is probable that small public
buildings and rivers and harbors bills
the pork barrels. Will be presented that
expenditures may be kept down.