The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1915-12-10
CONGRESS CONVfNES
LONG STRUGGLE AHEAD
Questions Growing Out of War to the
FrOnt-Inreased Appropriations
All Along the Line


last year. The great increase is al
most wholly due to the administration
plans for military preparedness. More
than $116,0 100000 of the total is fol
direct expenditures on the army and
navy, with millions more to be used in
coast defense and other forti6cation
work. By establishments the amounts
asked were:
Legislative, $7,573,372.
Executive, s30,So7, sos.
Judicial, 1,368,500.
Agricultural, s24.159. .os9.
Foreign intercouises. $5,426, 900.
Military, Sl52,354,259.
Navy. $211,518,o74.
Indian affairs. s1o,175,o36.
Pensions, sl60.565, 900.
Panama canal canal S27,535, ,469.
Public works, $104, 4,654,6o9.
Postal service. s316.363,s79.
Miscellaneous, SoS, ,280,563.
Permanent appropriations, $685.
l7s,673.
The postal service estimate is de-
ductible from the total because its re-
ceipts are turned back to the treasury.
That leaves 1869. .4o2, ,o2o as the actual
total Of appropriations congress is asked
to make-or S167 ,853,4ol more than
last year.
Not a single establishment OF the
government asked for less than was
given last year. Many requests were
made for increases because OF develop
ments of the war in Europe.
A large item in the treasury depart
ment's increase is 50, 100000 for col
lecting the income tax. an increase OF
sl,000,0oo over last year which, among
other things, will be used to hire ABS
deputy collectors at $1,000 per year,
compared with 1877 collectors in 1915.
The department Of commerce asked
for many increases for gathering infor-
nation at home and abroad on com
merce, industry and manufacture. Items
included are 100000 to promote and
develop the commercial interests OF
the United States. and 100000 to be
devoted to the same ends with particu-
lar reference to South and Central
America.
Labor conciliators, the labor depart
ment says, will need $4,000 this year
in place of $4,000.
The department Of agriculture asked
Tor %, 500, 900, the same as last year,
for eradication Of foot and mouth dis
ease, and s110,260 to enforce the in
secticide act.
Postmaster General Burleson again
proposes to conduct the rural free de-
liyery service for less than it has cost
in previous years.
His estimate is put at $48, 500, 900,
compared with $53, 100000 appropri-
ated for the ending June 80 next.
The interior department wants SS,-
247. 900 for the Alaska railroad, COM
pared with 50, 900, 900 appropriated in
$lo15.
One new feature OF the estimates is
the incorporation OF a proposal for a
government monopoly Of telegraph and
telephone service in Alaska, Porto Rico
and the Hawaiian Islands. 1t is pro-
posed that the wires in these territories
be acquired for the postofice depart
mept. after appraisal by the interstate
commerce commission, so that they
NAV be taken over by July l, 1916.
The postmaster general would be au-
thorized to license private parties to
construct and operate lines, but with
the reservation that the government
might buy them. The sum OF $780,
600 is sskeS for the purpose
For public buildings the estimates
are about $1,000, 900 less than last
year.
For the Panama canal, exclusive OF
,.... - n. es,;rnate is S1o.-