Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-15
hO0PPOS|T|ON TO
DEFICIENCY BILL
More Time to Spend Emerg-
ency Fund-Statement by
Information Committee.
MONEY TO SPREAD TRUTH

The urgent deficiency bill, extending
until June 80 next the time in which
the President may spend the S6?.ooo,oeo
balance left from the 100000 goo ener-
Eency war fund placed in his hands last
April, was passed by both houses of
Congress last night. December 81 was
the date originally fixed.
There was no opposition and very
little discussion. 1t was announced
that detailed account would be fur
nished later of expenditures by the
public information committee, which
was allotted more than million dol
lars of the fund. and of other items on
which only a general report was sub
mitfed.
The bill also carries s22s,000 for the
usual mileage allowance OF members of
Congress.
Secrecy Scored by Mr.. Gillett. j.,
Earlier in the day, during debate upon
the bill. Representative Giliett. acting
republican floor leader, scored the pol
icy of secrecy in these expenditures.
Mr.. Gfllett said that the President
ought to make known what salaries are
paid on the committee on public infor-
nation. This information is not con-
tanned in Mr.. Creefs report. though the
lump sum for salaries is given
Referring to expenses allowed the
Treasury Department for fotation of
liberty bonds, Mr.. Gillett said that when
was still without information as to the
way in which f1otation appropriations for
the first issue had been expended.
I'VE were told we could have detailed
statements" said Mr.. Gillett, but We
never got them. Willing as We are to
grant all the money for war purposes that
is wanted, We ought to be granted reci-
procity on information. and be told what
II done with the money as we go along
From Information Committee.
A general statement Of what the public
Information committee is doing with the
$1,653, 900 allotted it by the President
was sent to the House yesterday in the
form of an informal memorandum show
Ing that s1.ss5.5eo had been set aside
and partially expended for international
work in allied. neutral and beliigerent
countries" The exact nature of this
work was not discussed. but it is under
stood to consist largely of the dissemina-
ton OF facts about the United States and
its war purposes. to. counterfeit the effect
Of Germany's elaborate propaganda.
With the memorandum asked for
Thursday and prepared in the absence
of George Cree1. chairman. the commit
tee Enclosed extracts from speech de-
Irered by Mr.. Creel yesterday before
the Indiana state Council of Defense
at Indianapolis, outlining the objects of
the committee and its activities.
The memorandum gave this explana-
ton of the expenditure of s300,0S7 of
S250.009 allotted for general work of
the committee:
General committee expenses includ-
ing all alaries to September 30. have
been $e5.s66: civic and educational CO.
operation. including the printing of
books and pamphlets, $s1,41S; for min
nf
making patriotic speeches in various
cities, 81 4.1sS and other minor items for
news, Syndicate, speaking, film and
other divisions.
The number of employees regularly
engaged is ISL. With pay roll average
per week of $5,3s2.