Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-01
BUDGET NEEDED.
ASSERTSFORBES
u. S. Government Worst Man.
aged Business Concern, and
Should Be SyStematized.
BY 3. c. FORBES.


ment. Instead of being the best man
aged II is the worst managed concern in
the whole country. Were any private
corporation run on as slipshod, hap
hazard, bhndfold, extravagant basis
it would degenerate into bankruptcy i'm
short order. The handling Of our
finances is a disgrace to an enlightened
nation.
The need for a budget, as recon-
mended by President Taft in a message
outlined a few days ago, is pressing.
The task Of running America will, in
the nature Of things. become more COM
pick year by year. We are constantly
clamoring for more government, for
more governmental regulation and su-
pervision of private enterprise. Al
ready the railroads have been brought
under strict regulation, and there is an
unrnistakable drift toward similar
measure OF regulation Of industrial cor
porations. Whether we like it or not
whether we favor as little or as much
government as possible, the trend is
clear, strong and straight. We are
headed toward wholesale governmental
regulation of business. Whether regu-
lation will in time give place TO govern
ment ownership is not to say the least
"a preposterous question.
Looking ahead, it is essential that the
government put its business on a bust
ness footing. Heretofore we have blum
dered along blndly, conscious and con-
ddent that the taxpayer would fool all
bills. no matter how uncalled for.
Says President Taft on this head:
Not only have we been without ade-
quate information, but, as a result,
this great institution, with its multi
piled activities and with expenditures
that within the last 123 years have
mounted up from less than $1,000 900
TO more than $1,000 900 900 each
year. may be said to DO without
plan program.
Although we are annually spending
500 900 900 for military purposes, in
GLIDING pensions, we have never had
comprehensive or consistent mill
tary policy Nor have we as ma
ton had any plan for developing the
many services which have been
erected to provide for the economic
and social welfare Bureau after bu-
reau. service after service, has been
organized, but neither the executive
branch nor the congress has been
consciously working 10 "a consistent,
well-defned purpose.
Not only have we not had a definite
program for determining each year
what welfare work should be under
taken, or what should be the next step
In promoting or conserving economic
and social interests. but there has
been the same lack OF program in re-
gard to our national finances and pro-
posed expenditures.
The president recommends the Ss-
adjustment of "a bureau Of central ad-
dninistrative control, with controller
at the head who would be responsible
to the president and TO congress" He
suggests to congress. with much hest
1ation," that a budget committee be es-
tabushed las Anal clearing house
through which all the recommendation
of the committees having to DO with
revenues and expenditures shall pass
before they take the form Of definite
bill. The special reason which l have
for urging such committee is that at
present the administration IS seriously
handicapped by not being able 10 take
up proposals or constructive measures
Any ptA tiNuihl NbIAIlInellI
with any one body or committee which
win undertake 20 consider them in all
thedr aspects
The United States government IS en-
tering the field as a business physi-
clan. physician. heal myself" is an
admonition it should act upon before it
widens It's practice on other people If
the worst-conducted business in the
land can become the best conducted.
then it's orders will be less offensive to
other we'll managed concerns
At this stage of our national devel-
opment we can Withstand the grossest
governmental extravaganza Being a
young. vigorous. fertile country. we can
bear up against a needessly heavy load
of taxation. But It may not be ever
thus. A time may come when we shall
need the dollars now so light -heartedly
wasted. In the worlds markets the
prizes are likely to so 10 competitors
least handicapped-and burdeusome
taxtion is a grievous handicap Be
cause we seem to be able TO afford
reckless expenditures now. that is no
reason why reckless expenditures
should be incurred by the million every
time congress enters upon a session
and by various departments all the year
round.
We pride ourselves ON being a bust
ness nation Very we'll let us AT once
run the nation on business lines.
A national budget such as every 9th
er civilized country complies viii bring