New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-13
He Calls Congressional
Appropriation System
utterly Blind"
WAR DEPT FINANCIAL
SYSTEM OBSOLETE
I'VE Have Acted Like Chill
dren," Former President
Tells Lawyers Club.

Ex-President William Howard TAFT
was the guest Of honor OF the Lawyers
Club at the first of its winter series OF
Saturday luncheons at the clubrooms,
lis Broadway, yesterday. He ad-
dressed the seven hundred members
and guests present on the subject OF
efficiency and economy in the federal
government, pointing out what, in his
opinion, were grave defects under pres
entsconditions and advocating as the
best remedy a national budget such as
is in use in other countries OF the
world. In the course OF his remarks
he declared that the system for hnanc-
ing the War Department was twenty
five years behind the times.
Mr.. Taft reviewed what he had tried
to do in the way Of efficiency and econ
omy when he was President, but as
.erted that ne had found it absolutely
impossible for the Chief Executive to
accomplish anything effective in that
direction By arbitrary methods, and
that Congress was as much at loss 10
achieve any material results when the
matter was put up to that body. he
said that the present system or sp-
preparations in Congress was utterly
blind" Cooperation and reorganizs-
ton OF the executive and legislative
branches OF the government was the
only way to get the results. he said,
and that was what a national budget
would mean. No master mind since
the time of Alexander Hamilton had
taken told Of the national government
TO reorganize its activities in any way
effective, he asserted.
He said in part:
"More power should be vested in the
President to keep his eye upon the ex-
penditure of money in the various de-
partments. He should have bureau
reporting directly TO him, containing
the auditor; and controllers, who
should keep a comparative statement
showing the cost of the same or similar
service in each department so as to IN
dictate which department is extraya-
CANT and which economical. Indeed, IL
may indicate that some OF the depart
ments are too economical, and there
fore not as efficient thew ought TO be.
another great step that is neces-
sary is the introduction OF a statu-
tory change in the relation between
our executive and legislative branches
so that there will be a closer CO.
operation between them in the pro-
vision for the expenses OF govern
ment. The executive department
should prepare statement showing
the necessary and recommended ex-
penditures. and the means for raising
them and. IL the existing revenue will
not be adequate in its proceeds, the
additional taxes needed. We must
give to the legislative department. to
aid il in it's preparation Of appropria-
ton bills. a definite account. stated on
both sides of the ledger. so that in re-
spect of each appropriation bill 1t
may act with a comprehension Of all.
That is what a national budget is for.
This is why they have budgets in all
the countries of the world that have
respectable governments, except our
own"
Mr.. Taft reviewed the work Of the
commission. headed bv Frederick A.
Cleveland. which he appointed when
President, TO investigate the various
recommend policies for efficiency and
economy. The reports OF this commit
tee were on file in Washington, he
said. and il would be good thing for
Congress TO "dust them Oft" and
peruse them. He said the work should
be done By experts, and it would take
all Of five years. and perhaps ten, to
bring about a reorganization Of the
government and the perfecting OF
plan by which the finances of the gov
eminent could be conducted and man
aged i'm an economical manner. ap-
proximating the way in which the
great industries of the country are
managed in the interest OF their stock
holders.
William Allen Butler. president Of
the club. presided. and among those at
the guest table were Charles D. Hilles,
Frederick c. Tanner. Samuel S. Koe-
rig. William II. Black, George Nc
Aneny. president Of the Board of Al
dermen: William A. Prendergast, Con-
troller; p. A. c. Smith. Dock Commits
sioner: Henry Clews, Oscar Strsus, c.
A. Decker, Abram l. Elkus and r. B.