The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-15
Wilson Is Rebuked for
SpendthrH Congress
Chairman Fitzgerald Of House Committee, a Democrat,
in Official Statement Blames administration and So
Does His Republican Colleague Gillett.


Postmaster-General ignored the law in
submitting the postal estimates. He
refers to a provision OF the Revised Stat
utes that requires a read of a depart
ment to prepare estimates In accordance
with existing law, and not as he would
nave the law changed.
The Postmaster-General undoubtedly
acted In good faith in presenting the
estimates for his Department" said
Mr.. Fitzgerald. The reforms suggested
would ave effected a very considerable
saving. The method followed in sub
hitting the estimates, however, was
not in compliance with law, and II uni
versally adopted by the executive de-
partments would render the annual esti-
mates absolutely worthless"
Both Chairman Fitzgerald and Mr..
Gillett point O u hat through the fall
ure of the post office and Indian bills
n further drain on the Treasury of
about $4,000, 900 was prevented.
President Rebuked.
M. Gillett sharply rebukes Presi-
dent Wilson for his attitude toward
Government expenditures.
The estimates submitted to Congress
were pnlpably far In excess OF any esti-
mate OF the possible emu for the
year" said Mr.. Gillett. The presi-
dent, instead Of advising Congress. a.
he was commanded to do by the law
how. In his judgment. the estimated
appropriations could with least in
jury "a the public service he reduced
so as to bring the appropriations within
the estimated revenues'-said in his an
nual message that the people are not
Jealous OF the amount their Govern
ment costs II they are sure that they
get what they need and desire for
the outlay"
Commenting on this statement, Mr..
Gillett said
AN entirely new doctrine In public
expenditures and one seized upon by
the party in control OF the taxing and
spending power OF our Government
tended TO bring II to the verge OF. II
not actually thrust &, into. bankruptcy
by the appropriations made at the late
session"
Mr.. Fitzgerald and Mr.. Gillett urge
reforms In the manner OF making APP
, propriations. They would centralize
the appropr. ating authority in the House
in one committee rather than scatter
II among q number. as a. present
NJ. Fitzgerald showed by analysis OF
tho figures that the Appropriations Com
mittee. by applying the knife, saved on
an average more than 10 per cent
on the bills It framed In comparison with
the work of other committees that exer'
else the appropriating power.
He takes occasion to denounce tbs
practice of ENGRAVING legislation or
appropriation bills. recalling that this
was the primary reason for the failure
Of tho post office budget. In eneciinl
economies Mr.. Fitzgerald suggests tina
the country should be aroused 20 th'
fact that II Congress is to retrencf
burdens shall not Jc placed on th'
Federal Government which should b'
carried ny state and municipal treas
|. uries.
The activities Of the Government
should he rcrtra ned 70 fields which ar
distipctively governmental" laid Mr.
Fitzgerald. "tf such a policy is not u
he advocated and adopted II IL idl'
to attempt 10 prevent a continuing dis
proportional" increase IN th" COS
of government. The resulting burden
will he such 1s viii arouse tho NOS
butter. unfortunate and most disastrou
controversies to which "A people ar
subject"