Evening journal., 1917-09-24
10 PER Cent. Of
wealth FOR WAR
National Legislators Con-
cerned Oyer Checking
of the Expenditure
WANT.CLOSE WATCH
ON FINANCES

WAcltlNulO lONs sept. Et.-Sluce De-
cember, 1916, or in a little more than
ten months, the Congress OF the United
States has authorized the expenditure
Of s2O65i, 700, ,73433 by the executive
departments. The expenditure Is for
the fiscal year beginning July 4 last
and ending July 4. 1918.
With the nnal enactment Of the war
revenue bill, probably early this week,
the present Congress will have author
lied the raising OF revenue by taxa
tlon and bond issue amounting % ap-
proXimstely Si5,6O5 9i5,46O
The greatest total for the appropri-
ations Of a single Congress In the his
tory Of the government prior TO tho
present was for the last fiscal year,
when the total bill amounted to ST.
625,0O0,0OO. OF the expenditures auth
Orized since December 1 last oil OK
cept s9i0OO0,OOO or si9,5Sl, ,49O,534 are
extraordinary expenditures brought on
by the war. This figure represents
the war burden OF the United states
for the flrst year as far as can be
ascertalned at present.
While there has been no disposition
on the part Of members Of Congress
20 withhold appropriations asked by
tho executive branch for the success
ful prosecution Of the war, tho con
temptation Of the staggering sum al
ready voted Is beginning 20 cause some
concern. That 10 exceeds by many bill
lions all the earlier estimates Of tn
wars expenses Is universally conceded
One reason for some OF tho uneasi
ness felt ls tho fact that In voting thi
tremendous sum Congress has departe
in many instances from tho practlc
heretofore followed and has retained. Il
the opinion Of many members, vir
tually no control over It's expenditure.
Not only have all records for the siz
OF appropriations been shattered sine
Congress assembled last April, but Cor
gress, on account OF the emergency, he
even refrained from specifying, exceI
I'm the most general way, how niue
OF this total Is 10 be spent. In effect,
has signed a check on the natl0ni
wealth Of the country drawn in blanl
30 be filled out by the executive brapc
for the general purpose Of carrying o
he war.
II is in the absence OF any adj
quafo or effective way OF auditin
these expenditures except along ger
eral lines that some thinking men
both houses profess 10 see cause fo
uneaslness. It "a pointed out that th
defeat OF the Republican plan for
committee on war expenditures ht
left practically no way by whic
Congress- can keep a check on II
expenditure OF this money by Il
executive officers Of the Cover
ment
Against the plan for a legislati'
committee 20 audit and advise
those tremendous war expenditure
IL Is now known, the President thre
all his political and sentiment
power. with the result that the wi
committee scheme is dead so far
the present session Is concern
Furthermore, a Is conceded IN
present conditions are likely TO CO
tsnue until the imposition OF &
taxes made necessary by these va
appropriations have tho offect
arousing a sentiment throughout {
country for a closer cooperation I
tween the legislative and executi
branches.
Congressional leaders believe N
such a sentiment is rising througho
the country. BY the time the secO
session OF the Sixty-nfth Congress
sembles next December may believe
will have gained tremendous headwa
War burdens so far assumed amou
10 nearly 40 per cent. Of the wealth
the United states. II contributed !
capita, the bill OF si9,5si i9O.53i-whl
includes both appropriations and
ihorizatlons-would require a persol
contribution from every man, WON
and child in the United States OF 81
The per capita wealth Of the coun
IN 1912 was 81 ,965 according to the CT
sus oiilce.
AZ this rate, in view Of the fnanc
experts at the Capitol. II the war c
tinues for three years, with mcre
lngly heavy expenditures, the Dill n
ultimately amount TO 80 per cent.
The national wealth.
Congress also has appropriated
authorized the expenditure of m
than $4,000 000, 900 in excess OF
anticipated proceeds from bond
taxation measures. This amount m
be raised at the December sess
through increased levies on the sn
taxpayer.
with this prospect before Oh
members OF Congress are now cast
around for some means TO meet
demand which they feel cerain
taxpayer will make for an accol
Ing without incurring the pointed
pleasure of the President and will
embarrassing the executive dep
mcnt in the conduct of the war.