Middletown transcript., 1917-07-21
COST $S,00O,OOO,0O0
Amount Spent by the U. S. in the
War Against Germany
EQUAL TO $500 PER CAPITA
EIGHT thousand million dollars !!


That is what it has already cost the
United States to enter the war against
Germany. Appropriations for billions
are to be followed by billions more
within the next few weeks.
Since the United States entered the
war, just 1l0 days ago, it has been aver
aging expenditures of $50, 900, 900 day
through appropriations made by Con-
gress and estimates sent in for them by
the war-making branches.
With scarcely a question, Congress
has been giving the fighting arms of the
government every dollar asked: Figures
complied today by experts for the House
Appropriations Committee show that
before the end of the present session of
Congress, which was called to declare
war against Germany, the total initial
appropriation made by this government
will be in excess of $4,000, 100000.
When Congress a. the time of the
Spanish-American War placed lump
sum of $50, 900, 900 in the hands of Presi-
dent Mckinley to be used as he saw fit,
it was regarded as an astounding and
unprecedented step. At the outbreak
of the present war President Wilson was
authorized to spend S100, 100000 in the
same way. Since then hundreds of mil
lions of dollars have been appropriated
by Congress in few hours time.
The action of the House in passing a
lump sum appropriation of S640. 600. 600
for aviation Saturday, after three hours
discussion. was typical of the manner in
which money has been provided by the
government.
Three billion two hundred and eighty
one million ninety-four thousand five
hundred and forty-one dollars for the
army and navy was voted in one urgent
deficiency bill soon after the war was
declared, and now there is pending for
approval by the appropriation commit
tee another bill of similar character to-
falling $179, 100000 OF this latter sum
$lOO,O 900 is to be turned over to the
navy to be spent without restriction in
preparing that fighting arm for conflict.
EQUALS $500 PER CAPITA
A similar appropriation of $l15, 900, 900
for the navy was given last year, and
that was almost entirely exhausted in
preparation for the expected war at the
time diplomatic relations were broken.
Besides the lump. sum of 500, 600, 600
in the new $179, 900, 900 urgent deficiency
bill, $45, 900, ,OOOi is to be appropriated for
hydroeraplane development; f4,5OO, 600
for clothing for men in the navy, and
SO, 500, 900 for machinery to manufacture
rifles. Since the outbreak of the war
So, O,OOO,O 900 has been loaned to the
Allies; 81, O63, ,954 has been appropriated
for expenses in preparing the bonds and
floating them; S7O,0OO,0 900 has been ap-
propriated for interest, $35, 900, 900 has
been appropriated for war risk insur-
ance, S11, 45O, 900 has been appropriated
for food survey of the country and
SlOZ, 10 - IAC wv" SOhli
bill now pending in the Senate.
The first general deficiency bill passed
after war was declared carried $3.50, 600,
600 with which to purchase and build
ships for an American merchan marine
to beat the submarine blockade. Con-
tracts are also to be entered into which
will take every dollar of that vast sum
and the United States Tipping board
charged with the handling of the money,
is coming to Congress to ask for an ad-
ditional appropria ton Of between $4OO,
900, 900 and $500, OOO,0
How this $4,000, 900, which repre-
sents a national debt Of 1900 for every
man. woman and child in the United
States, is to be met is question yet tt
be settled. Congress authorized bono
issue of 1000, 900, 900 and ~, 900, 900. oO'
of this sum has been foated.
1t was the intention of the House t
raise 81, 300, 200, 900 this year in taxes
but the Senate not only reduced tht
amount, but has so amended the foot
bill by providing for government pur
chase of all distilled spirits that 500,
600 900 more revenues must be provided