The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-02-11
CONCERNING a PRoeAeLE DEFICIT

CONCEHNtNG a PHOBAbLE DEfiCil
One OF the leading Democratic
newspapers Of the United States only
a few days ago, impressed with the In
consistency of majority tendencies in
congress toward extravaganza in APP
preparations, called attention of the
leaders on that side OF house and SEN
ate to the economy plank In the Bal
timone platform This has been done
before. There is probably not a con-
scientious Democratic editor in the
United States who does not feel that
his words In behalf of his party in the
campaign of 1912 have been stultified
largely by the disregard Of this decara-
ton and implied promise in the plat
form:
We denounce the profligate waste
of the money wrung from the peo-
pie by oppressive taxation through
the lavish appropriation OF recent
Republican congresses, which have
kept taxes high and reduced the pur-
chasing power of the peoples toll.
We demand a return to that sim
plicity and economy which befits
democratic government and a re-
duction Of the number of useless
offices. the salaries of which drain
the substance of the people.
In the light of facts, OF course, this
is ridiculous, and 1t makes ridiculous
the arguments in behalf OF the Demo-
cratic ticket on the score of ECONOMY
advanced In good faith by Democratic
and sympathetic newspapers two years
ago last fall. One of the principal
among the facts. and the only one that
need concern us here, is, that If the
Republican congresses of recent years
were extravagant to the point OF prof
legacy, and we believe they WERE the
present Democratic congress has been
more so.
There have been very serious confer
ences In President Wilson's cabinet re-
Gently, II Is known, with reference to
the state OF national finances. Not
withstanding the operation OF the war
tax, a measure made necessary by ex-
travagance, the income of the govern
ment Is still running behind the out
go. Estimates of expenditures for the
year, II Is plainly remarked by observers
familiar with the situation, exceed the
most extravagant hopes for revenues.
Despite this, hundreds of millions are
to be set aside for army and navy eN-
pansion and maintenance, the rivers and
harbors bill carries appropriations aps
proximating $4,000 900. and other APP
preparations, supply and special, are on
this scale. Two plans have been Of
fered for preventing deficit. One
contemplates cuts in postal service al
lowances. The rural delivery bill. in
particular, It is proposed, may be scaled
down. That is, in the one department
OF the government near to all the peo
pie, economy, II Is thought, mihgt be
practised The alternative to- this is
the reprehensible one of continuing in
definitely war tax in time of peace.
The people of the United States real
lie clearly that the cost of government
has increased as well as the cost of
individual and family support. There
Is no popular disposition in the country |
toward parsimony in national affairs |
The dignities as we'll as the necessities |
of administration, 1t is felt, must be |
we'll cared for. But the great mass of |
the American people are, we are con-
WINGED. sternly set against national fl
nancial management that bears fruit /
In deficits and war taxes. The Demo-
cratic leaders, in and out OF congress,
must, II would seem, come promptly |
to realization of this II they hope to
retain public confidence beyond the |
next national election.-Boston Monitor. |