The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1916-07-20

Cause Congress to Change Its Plans.
Leaders Are Opposed to Issuing
Bonds or Selling the Panama Canal
Paper That the Government Holds.
While the military authorities OF the
country are struggling TO mass addi-
tional troops on the Mexican border,
congress is confronted with a serious
question OF where the money is to
come from with which to finance the
operations. The cost is To he stagger-
ing This is the enc clear fact that
stands out of the whole situation.
Since congress convened in December
Ii has been spending money at the rate
of approximately $10,000,O00 day. Up
to date the total appropriations aggre-
gate In the nelghhOrhood of $l.J00,O00,-
600. This enormous sum will be In
creased heavily before adjournment.
AS Is entirely natural. the greater
part of this vast expenditure is direct
| ly and indirectly due 30 the upbuilding
OF the military establishments. Never
IN the history of the country have such
heavy sums been appropriated for the
army and navy. The sea forces espe-
cialiy will he strengthened to degree
never yet authorized by Il previous
congress. Not only is this true in the
number of ships voted. but the ex-
J.pandiiures win be madeJn, three years
instead of five, as had been contem~
plated
The cost OF reorganizing and strength
ening the army also will he heavy, and
In consequence congress was compelled
TO appropriate heavy sums for this
work because Of the reorganization
greater supplies OF field guns. aero
| planes, ammunition and other military
Impedlmcnta were necessary. In fact
Increases over the original estimates
ran the gamut of the entire army bill.
The house ways and means commit
tee which has been struggling with the
revenue bill that is expected TO turn
into the treasury u golden stream to
meet the congressional demand, Is in
quandary. Chairman kitchin and his
subcommittee had drafted measure
calculated to produce IN revenue $40
OF the unprecedented appropriations,
much of them due to the Mexican cri-
sis, an additional 500, 100000 must be
saddled on the bin In order that the
treasury may he Dn the safe side OF the
situation.
As "A result the leaders in the capt u
are busily engaged In scuttling to CON
ference at the White Ilouseshnd treps-
ury department. President Wilson Is
fully alive 10 the political necessity of
solving tue financial situation before
the campaign gets under way. In seek
ing for this solution the chief eXecu-
tive and his advisers lind themselves
on the horns of dilemma.
The revenue bin proposes 10 raise the
necessary funds largely through direct
taxation. a method that In the pasl had
not been popular with the American
people on the other hand. tie admin
istratlon recognizes that n bond issue
to meet the expenditures would he po-
litically UNIV isc. The suggestion that n
block Of Panama canal bonds held In
the treasury be released and thrown
np0u the market does not meet with
the PRESIDENT favor The adminis-
tration is said To- feel that the public
effect would he the same as though
war bonds" were issued directly
All in all out OF the t1Imoil aud ag-
gravation Of present interuational and
domestic problems arises the one ques-
ton
"Whcrc is the money coming from to
meet the cost p