The Lamar register., 1915-03-17
TREASURY DEFICIT TO BE S133,-
100000, DEMOCRAT FIGURES
Fitzgerald Asserts Federal Finances
Must Be 0verhauled by Congress

washington, Marcn l4.-soIate-
ments issued today by Chairman Fitz-
gerald of the House Appropriations
Committee, a democrat, and Repre-
sentative Gillet, the ranking repub-
lican member, agree that the ap-
preparations of the recent session of
congress totaled $1,115,121 ,4O9; that
contracts involving additional appro-
priations of 37,4O0,OOO were author
lied, and that a treasury deficit is
probable.
Chairman Fitzgerald's statement
did not give the total of appropria-
tions for the entire Sixty-third con-
gress. Gillet placed that total at
$2,231 ,000,O which, he said, was
S1l3,O00,O00 more than that of the
Sixty-second congress and $l77,00O,-
900 more than the last republican
congress appropriated.
Fitzgerald estimated that should
the condition of the treasury con-
tinue as at present until June 30, the
total deficit would be S133,O0O, 900,
offset, however, by the income tax
collections, which are estimated at
about $SO,OOO,0OO.
Gillett asserted in his statement
that the treasury has not been so
empty since the Cleveland administra-
ton"
Chairman Fitzgerald declared the
tariff was in no way responsible, and
that until the outbreak of the Euro
pean war the new law had proved
an effective revenue producer. Gil
let did not agree with that.
Fitzgerald said the effect Of the
war was worldwide and that as it
goes on reduction of customs inn
ports and their revenue will continue.
At some length he discussed the need
of economy.
''The finances of the Federal gov
ernment must be readjusted," he
said. "No more important problem
will confront congress when it reas-
sembles.
"Under our system Of government,
the chief hope Of the people in the
prevention of extravaganza and un-
justifiabe expenditures is in the house
of representatives. The executive
department Of the government may
cooperate, but as the success of an
administration is frequently believed
TO be measured by the expenditures
TO carry out predetermined policies,
the volume of expenditures must nee
essarily be of secondary Importance.
THE temptation is ever present to
molify some class, or to attach an
other, or to attract those Indifferent
or in opposition by some policy not
within the true functions of the gov
eminent and which involves expendi-
lures that add greatly to the bur
dens of the people. The direct rep
resentatives of the people, clothed
under the constitution with control
of the public purse, if properly or
ganized can and must curtail federal
expenditures.
''To make the work of the house of
representatives really effective there
must be a radical change in the meth
DDS of handling appropriations. Many
times the present system has been
condemned as illogical and unscienti-
fc. Real reform is impossible with
eight committees of the house franz
ing appropriation bills. Further con-
sideration deepens my conviction that
one committee should be given con-
troll of all appropriations and that no
legislation should be contained in the
appropriation bills"
Gillet assailed the democratic lead
ers for what ne characterized as ex-
travagance.
"The appropriations of this session
have shamefully disregarded the prin-
ciples of sound business and true
economy" he said. With revenues
falling and precarious, with business
and commercial conditions feverish
and uncertain, with steady monthly
deficit and no assured prospect of its
relief and with a cash fund reduced
TO a point that generally has been
deemed unsafe, the administration has
recommended and the congress has
authorized expenditures on a larger