The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-03-19
LAST CONGRESS SPENT
TWO BILLION WITHOUT
BATTING AN EYE

Statements issued Sunday by Chair
man Fitzgerald of the house appro-
priations committee and Representa-
tive Gillett, the ranking Republican
member, agree that appropriations OF
the last session OF congress totalled
SI,Ilo,ll ,4U9; that contracts involving
additional appropriations of thirty
seven million tour hundred thousand
dollars were authorized and that a
treasury dehcit is probable. Both OF
the statements agree that the present
lack of system in making federal APP
preparations is slipshod and ought to
DC remedied.
Chairman Ritzgerald's statement
did not give the total of appropria
tons for the entire Sixty-thIrd CON
gress Mr.. Gillett placed that total
at two billion two hundred and thirty
one million dollars, which, he SAID,
was one hundred and thirteen million
dollars greater than that OF the Sixty
second congress and one hundred and
sevcnty-seven million dollars more
than the last Republican congress APP
propriated.
Worst Since Cleveland.
Mr. Fitzgerald estimated that,
should the condition of the treasury |
continue as at present until June 49, |
the total deficit would be one hundred |
and thirty-threc million dollars, off |
set, however, by the income tax col
lectionS which are estimated at about
eighty million dollars. Mr.. Gillett as
serted in his statement that the
treasury has not been so empty
since the Cleveland administration"
Chairman Fitzgerald declared the
tariff was in now way responsible and
until the outbreak of the European
war the new law had proved an extra
revenue producer. Mr.. Gillett did not
agree with that.
Mr.. Fitzgerald said the effect of the
war was worldwide and that as it
goes on, reduction of customs i'm
ports and their revenue will continue.
At some length he discussed the need
Of economy.
The finances of the government
must be readjusted," he said.
To make the work of the house of
representatives. really effective there
must be a radical change in its meth
DDS of handling appropriations. Many
lines the present system has been
as illogical and unscien-
ifc. Real reforms are impossible with |
SIGHT committees of the house franz
ng bills, while seven of the commit
ees have legislative Jurisdiction in |
he matters for which they recon-
mend appropriations. 1t further Z
leepens my convictions that one COM )
nittee should be given control of all |
and that no legisla, 0
ion should be contained in the ap-
'ropriation bills"
Disregard Business Methods.
Mr.. Gillett assaulted the Democratic
eaders for what he characterized as t
as follows: II
The appropriations of this session I
ave shamefully disregarded the n
of sound business and true c.
With revenues falling and
recarlous, with business and com
lerclal conditions feverish and un-
ertaln, with steady monthly deficit
nd no assured prospect of its relief, III
nd with cash fund reduced to re
ONT that has generally been deemed IL
nsate. the administration has recon- II
tended and the congress has author IN
ed expenditures on a larger scale So
IAN ever before and no step has been Vi
ken to meet the prospective deficit Ft
nat is not the way the finances D.
a government should be admins re
atcd. here ought to be some pro- II
orton between income and outpo bf
nd their relation ought not to be 10 in
orcd and their action left to chance &C
hat seems to have been more reck IN
SIS and improvident than congress tn
nd with less excuse.
The prevalent opinion that con co
reSs is mainly to blame is incorrect su
IS the executive which is primarily a
fault 1t ought to be vastly easier tn
'r the president and cabinet small ra
<ecutlve body exempt from the dan tn
ers Of log-rolling. to servev The tn
hole field, calculate the revenues lif
nd cut the estimates TO corresnorJ" eS