New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-04
Departments Estimates for
1919 Exceed by Far
All Previous
Show Increased
Costs of Nation
Part To Be Raised by Taxes,
Rest by Liberty
Bonds

WASHINGTON. Dec. g.. Estimates
calling for more than S13, 5000 900
the greatest amount in the nations MS
.orv--for the conduct OF the govern
ment and prosecution Of the war dur
ing the fiscal year 1919 were submitted
20 Congress to-day by the Treasury
Department
In round figures more than $1,000
oOO. 900 Of the vast sum is for the war
alone. Only part Of It will be realized
from taxation; the remainder viii come
erom issues Of Liberty bonds.
Deducting an item Of $l5S'OOO,OOO, IN
tended as an annual appropriation tow
ard a sinking fund for the discharge Of
the old public debt and some S33O,OOO.-
600 which will be turned back TO the
Treasury from postal revenues, the esti-
mated amount for which Congress actu-
ally is expected to appropriate is Sl3,-
OlS.725.595. No previous estimate ever
has exceeded S2,OOOOOOOOO
For the food administration 100000
is estimated; for the fuel administra-
tion, 50 100000.
The estimates for all other depart
ments. besides showing increases for
their expansion due to activities con-
seouent 10 the war. reflect generally
the increased costs Of everything
throughout the country Some IN
creases of salaries for government
employes arc submitted, but most Of
the increased amounts for pay are due
rather 10 increases in numbers Of en-
ployes than to a rising scale Of wages.
No estimate appears for the Commit
tee on Public Information, the expenses
of which arc being paid out Of the
Presidents S1OO,OOO,OOO war emergency
fund.
Lansing Asks for More Clerks
The State Department revives its pro
posal for an under secretary OF STATE
NJ a salary Of $500. Congress reject
cd the plan when submijte!a oeIote'
Tho Office is proposed in addition TO the
tbree assistant secretaries now serving.
For additional clerks inc oePAi 'ii'e''
asks $4,000.
To meet the increased cost Of living
for consular and diplomatic officers,
[,bicb is recognized as being all out Of
rronortion to their small salaries, the
denartment asks 100000, an increase
of $500 900 over the sum for the same
nurposc as asked last year.
One new item proposes $4,000 Tor
the erection Of a legation building at
San Salvador. The total sum placed
under the head Of foreign intercourse
exceeds $6,5OO,00O, and represents TO
large degree the increased actlvl-
ties Of the diplomatic service because
Of the war.
In the Treasury Department the
growth of the War Risk Insurance Bu-
Teau. which now includes insurance
for the lives of soldiers. sailors and
merchant crews as well as merchant
ships. calls for an estimate OF S4,OOO'-
600 The Federal Farm Loan Bureau
nresents a new item Of 1887 600. FOR
The maintenance Of forces abroad Tor
the auditing Of accounts for the army
and navy 100000 is asked.
Cost of Collecting War Taxes
The Internal Revenue Bureau shows
large increase IN expense Cor the
collection Of tho many war taxes. EN-
penses OF ordinary collections arc
placed AT SO 600 600; collection of in
COM tan is placed at 100000, and
for collection Of the special war taxes
$4,000 900 is estimated. double the sum
asked for the same purpose last year.
In the War Department the ordinary
peace-time force has been practically
doubled and the cost OF additional en-
ploves is estimated at Sl0,OO0,00O. The
total estimates for river and harbor
improycment arc $29.5l5,000 Fof the
maintenance and improvement of the
Panama Canal. exclusive of forthca-
tions. Sl5,495,284 is estimated, which
takes no account Of amounts derived
from tolls.
In the Navy Department nearly
million dollars is asked for extra cler-
zeal forces, and the tota. estimate 70"
the ordinary peace establishment IS
practically doubled, making it $3.50
600. This is exclusive OF naval con
struction and consequent activities.
The Department Of Commerce sub
,pits several items 10 care for the eN-
mansion Of American trade iu III, var
oDportunity IL asks 10000 for pro
noting commerce In Central and South
America, like sum for promoting
commerce. in the Far East and $780,
600 for commercial attaches for the
embassies abroad
For the Bureau Of Standards. which
IS taking q tremendous part in the de-
velopment Of mechanical appliances
FOR the winning Of the war, several
large sums In addition 20 the regular
appropriations are asked. The blanket
item under the head Of military re
search is put az $250000.
The estimate for the coast and geo
detic survey IT, doubled 20 make il
- S2325.0O0. Practically one million dol
n lars Of this is for new ships.
The Interior Department presents
~ many new items for Investigations and
= developments Of natural resources. IL
asks 100000 for scientific invest ga
tions Of mining and $4,000 for scien-
tifc investigation Of petroleum and
natural gas. For a government fuel
yard. an experiment by which 10 is
proposed 20 have the government buy
and distribute fuel for all It's needs
in Washington, 100000 is asked.
Many items are submitted for the
betterment Of Alaska. For continuing
the construction and operation Of the
Alaskan railways mote than S7,000.000
is asked Other items arc: Education
Of natives, 1925, 900; medical relief for
natives $4,000 An increase is pro-
posed in the annual sum for support
Of reindeer stations. making II $500
E..G...soe e., NafionaI perLs