Evening star., 1915-03-15
Urges Need of Economy.

Mr.. Fitzgerald said the effect of the
war was worldwide and that as it goes
ON reduction of imports and their reve-
nue. Will continue. At some length
he discussed the need of economy.
The finances of the federal govern
1nent must be readjusted. he said. M
more important problem will confront
Congress when il reassembles. Under
our system of government the chief
hope of the people in the prevention OF
cxtravsgant and unjustifiable expendi-
lures is i'll the House of Representa-
tiyes. The executive department of the
government may cooperate. but as the
success Of an administration is fire.
quent1y believed to be measured by
the expenditures to carry out prede-
termined policies. the volume of ex-
penditure must necessarily be of sec
ond importance.
The temptation is ever present to
mo11ify some class or to attach another.
or to attract those indifferent or in op
position by some policy not within the
true functions of the government. and
u hich involve expenditures that add
greatly to the burdens of the people
The direct Representatives of the peo-
pie. clothed. under the Constitution.
with control of the public purse. if
properly organized, can and must cur
tall federal expenditures.
To make the work of the House of
Representatives really effective there
must be radical change in its meth
DDS of handling appropriations. Many
times the present system has been con-
demned as illogical and unscientifc.
Real reform is impossible with eight
committees of the House framing ap-
preparation bills, while seven of the
committees have legislative jurisdiction
of the matters for which they recon-
mended appropriations Further con-
sfderation deepens my convictions that
Oh he
of all appropriations. and that no leg
islation should be contained IN the ap-
preparation bills
Mr.. C;iIlett assailed the democratic
leaders for what he characterized as ex-
travagance.
THE appropriations of this session
have shanefulIy disregarded the princi-
pies OF sound business and true econ
ony. With revenues falling and pre-
aarious. with business and commercial
conditions feverish and uncertain. with
a STEADY monthly deficit and no as
sured prospect of its relief. and with a
cash fund reduced 70 point that has
generally been deemed unsafe. the ad-
Ininjstration has recommended and the
Congress has authorized expenditures
UD q Ia ger scale ltEdn ever before, ana
no step has been taken to meet the
prospective deficit.
That is not the way the finances of
a government should be administered
There ought to be some proportion be-
tween income and outgo. and their re-
Iations ought not to be ignored and their
accommodation left to chance That
s.eTns 10 have been the only fiscal policy
of this session.
Blames the Executive.
Tho executive has been more reckless
and iuisrovident than Congress and
With less excuse. The prevalent opinion
that Congress is mainly to blame is in
Correct.
Tt Is the executive which is primaril,
At fault il ought to be vastly easie,
Tor the President and cabinet, a small
executive body. exempt from the dan.
gers OF log-rolling, to survey the whole
dsio. calculate the revenues and cut
the estimates to correspond But they
he yt-lo bot a