Gilpin observer., 1914-04-23
WASHINGTON NEWS
By Edward Keating.

|
| What did we mean by that express
sion, Economical expenditure? For
several days we have been thresh-
ing out that question in the house
and the roll calls will show how the
various members answered 1t. / have
no disposition to criticise the posi-
ticn taken by any of my colleagues.
In these reports / merely endeavor
to give an accounting of my own
stewardship.
| have voted to increase some ap-
preparations and to reduce others. /
believe the government should spend
money freely for those things which
make for the conservation of human
life, and for the promotion and wider
diffusion of human happiness. There
fore, l voted for large appropriations
for the work of the Children's Bur
eau, for the study and prevention of
ment of industrial disputes, for the
preparation and distribution of infor-
nation on topics related to agricul-
ture, horticulture and stock raisng,
for the prevention of accidents in
mining and other industrial occupa-
tons, for the construction of good
roads, and for many other govern
mental activities which, to my mind,
had for their object the betterment
os the condition of mankind.
~. 4 Go, 4
curtailing the expenditures fer those
things which might be described as
the gold lace of government"-an
enlarged army, top-heavy navy, in
creases in the. number of fat jobs in
the executive departments, and addi-
tions to the perqusites allowed men,
bers of congress.
Who Pays the Bill?
A few illustrations will. perhar-
prove o. interest to my readers who
may not be familiar with the way
their representatives are spending
their money. Right here it might be
we'll to emphasize the point that the
dollars disbursed by Uncle Sam do
not grow on trees, and are not rain
ed frcm heaven like the mamma which
fell on the famishing Israelites. Ev-
cry cent comes out Of the pockets
OF the people and in the very nature
of things can not come from any
fother source.
In round figures, it costs about
500. 900 900 to run the national gov
ernment one year. This is exclusive
of the postoffice department, which
is self-supporting.
OF this sum approximately $780,
900 900, or over 40 -er cent goes to
the army and navy Pensions take
$50. 900 900 mere. This leaves $780,
900 200 for all civil purposes. The tax
on whiskey, beer and tobacco takes
care of the civil list while the re-
ceipts from the tariff and income tax
are just about sufficient to meet the
expenditures for the army and navy
and pensions.
A We spend more money for our
army and navy than any other coun-
try in the world except England and
Russia. Our expenditures are four
times as great as those of Japan and
exceed Germany's by $50 900, 900. Yet
we are constantly met with the de-
mand for more dreadnaughts and a
larger army.
In the last ten years we have spent
more money preparing for war and
endeavoring to repair the damage
done by the conflicts in which we
have engaged in the past than swas
ever expended in a similar period
of peace by any other nation IN the
history of the world. This is an ap-
palling record and think we should
be heartily ashamed of it.
| do not believe the American peo-
pie would stand for it If they were
in the possession of all the facts. Un
fortunately not one man in ten has
the slightest competition of the kings
ransoms which we are pouring every
year into this rat hole of militariism.
| find that even members of congress
have not stopped to study the figures
The Mileare Graft.
While we were reforming we knock
ed out the members mileage graft
This is hoary headed old fake that
has withstood a good many assaults
|. Away back there when the Republic
was in knickerbockers and we did
not have any railroads they began
Paying senators and representatives
20 cents a mile for travelling to ant
, from the capital. The mode of loco
motion has changed. but tie mileage
has remained at the same figure. o.
course, every one knows that it does