South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-04
Preparedness Program Will
Take $800,000,000 or
About Half of the To-
tai Expenditures.
STATE DEPARTMENT TO
ASK ONLY S6,000,000
Cost of Operating Department
is Less Despite the Many
Problems Caused by
European War.
unconditional News Service

WASHINGTON. Dec. a. - The
high cost Of government has be-
come stern raility. for it will take
four and a half million dollars
day TO run the United States ser
vice during the fiscal year, which
begins July. 1 next. according 10 the
annual estimates sent to congress
today by Sec'y McAdoo, Of the treas
urv department. The estimates
called for an expenditure of ST.
654.S19,654 for the year, an in
crease of $245,759.T63 over last
years estimates and an increase OF
SS7.1e7.45S over the appropriations
made by the last session Of congress.
The estimates showed clearly
that the United States is making
rapid progress toward the point
where il will cost two billion dollars
q year to meet the constantly in
creasing cost Of government. Eleven
departmental classifications under
which the estimates we're submitted
showed increases over last yea and
only four items showed decreases.
Preparedness Costly.
Preparedness for war was the
greatest item in the budget for
next year. II demanded expend-
itures of more than sS00.000,00O
under direction of the war and navy
departments. or about One-half OF
the total estimated expenditure OF
the government The war depart
ment asked for more than S421, 00G,-
600 for land defense and the navy
department demanding upwards OF
1882. 100000 TO continue the great
naval program outlined by the last
session of congress. Last year the
war department spent S3S1.0OO,0OO
and the navy department $4,000
600. as the initial outlay for the new
preparedness plans.
The department OF agriculture
asked for some 100000 more
than it spent last year; the inter
Tor department for some s4,0OO,OOO
more: the department Of commerce
for nearly 100000 more; the de
partment Of justice and department
of labor for about $1,000, 600 more
each
state Department Asks Less.
Despite the diplomatic burdens Of
the European war the state depart
ment asked for only S6.OOo.e0O a.
against S9.0OO.0OO appropriated
during the last session of congress.
A slight decrease in the estimates
for pensions which called for $3.50
600 900 as against 1888. 100000 APP
propriated last year. was shown
despite the recent increases in the
pension rate and is due 10 the grad
ual dying off of the old soldiers.
OF the total of more than a bill
lion end a half dollars, the estimates
calculate that s325OOo. 600 10 be ex-
pended by the postoffice depart
meut will be protected by the postal
revenues. Upwards Of $4,000 900
Of the total will go into the sinking
fund 10 care for the bonded debt Of
the country.
To Continue X. II. Valuation.
Among the larger miscellaneous
items i'm the estimates. the inter
state commerce commission asks for
S3.500. 600 for continuing the phys
ical valuation OF the railroads OF
the country.
A sharp cut IN proposals for river
and harbor Improvement by the fed
eral government was indicated by
estimates for river and harbor ap-
preparations which called for ex-
penditures Of S32.12S.00O as against
S42.OSO.935 appropriated for the
same projects 10y the last session Of
congress.