The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-03-15

on the Wilson administration. which sub
mitted estimates at the beginning OF the
Congress far in excess of those framed
by any of Its predecessors.
While Mr.. Fitzgerald employs diplo-
matte language. he is. nevertheless
severe in his criticisms of the Presi-
dent and his advisers for their failure
to assist the leaders in Congress to
keep down appropriations.
Representative Frederick W. Gillette
of Massachusetts. the ranking Repub-
lican member of the Committee on APP
propriations, also made public state
ment on the work OF the last Congress:
He joins With Mr.. Fitzgerald in utter
ing a warning that unless expenditures
are checked problem soon will be
presented that will be difficult of solu
ton. Contrasting the Democratic pledge
to retrench, made in 1912, with the ap-
preparations authorized by the late
Democratic Congress. Mr.. Gillette
charges the party in power with in
efficiency, and makes the prophecy that
it has paved the way for an enormous
deficit next year, which must be met
either by borrowing money or by new
and veXatious taxes
In addition to the direct appropria =
ton of s1,115.121. 40S.Ss authorized at
the late session. which was a little
more than 100000 below the eN-
penditures for the preceding session.
contract obligations were authorized
to the amount of S31. 100000.
Democrat Charges BAD Faith.
Mr.. Fitzgerald lays stress on the
present condition of the Treasury. He
reminds the administration that on
July >. 1912, the net balance in the
Treasury general fund was more than
Sl39. 200, 600, and that on March last
il had dropped to a little more than
s4:.0OO,OOo. He states that il disburse-
ments continue to exceed receipts at
the present rate, the deficit at the end
of the current fiscal year will be in
excess OF s1S3.0o0.o0o.
Chairman Fitzgerald practically
charges the administration with bad
faith in preparing the estimates. Also.
he charges that Postmaster General
Burleson ignored thee law in framing
the postal estimates. He refers to
provision of the Revised Statutes that
requires heads of departments to pre-
pare estimates in accordance with eX-
listing law, and not as he would have
the law changed.
Both Chairman Fitzgerald and Mr.. Gil
lette point out that through the failure
of the postofficc and Indian bills. d fur
sl2 o0O was prevented.
Mr. Gillette sharply rebukes President
Wilson for his attitude toward govern
ment expenditures. The estimates sub
mitted to Congress were palpably far
excess Of any estimate of the possible
revenues for the year" said Mr. Gillette.
THE President. instead Of advising Con-
gress as he Was commanded to do by the
law: How in his judgment the estimated
a appropriations could with least injury tn
the public service be reduced so as to
bring the appropriations within the esti-
mated revenues said in his annual mes
sage that the people are not jealous OF
the amount their government costs if
they are sure that they get what they
need and desire for the outlay" Com
menting on this statement. Mr.. Gillette
said:
AN entirely new doctrine in public e7-
and one seized upon by the
party in control of the taxing and spend
ing power of our government To bring il
to tho verge of. if not actually thrust II
into. bankruptcy by the appropriat tons
ma dc at the late session