The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1915-03-19
LARGE DEFICIT FACING
NATIONAL TREASURY
Congressman Fitzgerald Talks Plain.
ly of Extravaganza.

ly of Extravaganza.
4 Washington, March IA. - State
ments issued to-day by Chairman
II Fitzgerald of the House of Appro
Ipriations COMMITTEE and and Repre-.
sentative Gillett, the ranking Re.
publican member, agree that the ap.
preparations Of the last session OF
Congress totaled $1,115,121,4 O9;
that contracts involving additional
appropriations Of $37,4OO,OOO were
authorized and that Treasury de-
felt is probable.
Chairman Fitzgerald's statement
did not give the total of appropria-
lions for the entire Sixty-third Con-
gress.
Mr.. Gillett placed the total at
$2,231,O00,00O, which, he said, was
$113,O00,000 greater than that of
the Sixty-second Congress, and
$177000,000 more than the last
Republican Congress appropriated.
ESTIMATES DEFICIT.
Mr.. Fitzgerald estimated that
should the condition of the Treasury
continue as at present until June 80
the total deficit would be $133,OOO,-
600, offset, however, by the income
tax collections, which are estimated
at about $8O,OOO,OOO.
Mr., ;Gillett asserted in his state
ment that the Treasury has not
been so empty since the Cleveland
administration
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. Mr..
Gillett did not agree with that.
Mr.. Fitzgerald said the effect of
the war was worldwide and that as
it goes on reductions Of customs i'm
ports and their revenue will con-
tinue. At some length he discussed
ohS hOOu VI CCOuOluys
MUST READJUST FINANCES.
"The finances of the Federal Gov
eminent must be readjusted," said
he. mo more important problem
will confront Congress when it re-
Under our system of government
he chief hope. of the people in the
of extravagant and I'M
ustifiable expenditures is in the
House of representatives. The ex-
'cutive department of the govern
nent may cooperate, but as the sue
ess of an administration is fire.
Iuently believed to be measured by
he expenditures to carry out pre-
policies, the volume of S
Expenditure must necessarily be of
econdary Importance. The, tempta-
ion is ever present to mollify some
lass or to attach another, or to at
ract those Indifferent or in OPPOSE
ion Ny some policy not within the
rue functions of the Government
nd which involves expenditures
hat add greatly to the burdens of
ne people. The direct representa-
yes of the people, clothed under
he Constitution with the control of
lie public purse, if properly organ r
ed, can and must curtail Federal =
lpenditures. g
BUDGET NECESSARY.
ITO make the work of the House :
Representatives really effective q
Iere must be a radical change in 4
methods of handling appropria-
Ons. Many times the present sys- ri
m has been condemned as illogical k
Id unscientific. Real reform is inn n
,ssible with eight committees of p
e House framing appropriation :,
lis, while seven Of the commit .,
es have Legislative jurisdiction of n
e matters for which they recon-
end appropriations. Further con- 81
deepens my conviction In
at one committee should be given IN
ntrol of all appropriations and a.
at no legislation should be con- ~
med in the appropriations bills" #
Mr.. Gillett assailed the Democrat Al