The daily Alaskan., 1917-01-17
By ARTHUR w. DUNN.

By ARTHUR w. DUNN.
 Washington, Dec. 22.-[Special.l- From the time men began to talk about extravaganza in government ex- penditures there has been discussion of the proposition to allow the presi- dent to veto items in appropriation bills. Without regard to the fact that the only way this can be accomplish ed is by a constitutional amendment, its advocates go boldly and gayly for ward, as if all that was necessary was to get a sufficient number of indOrse- ments from various organizations and the end would be accomplished.
 In the first place, the proposed amendment would have to go through each house of congress by a two thirds vote, and such proposition could not get a corpOrars guard in ei- ther body. The items In appropria- ton bills are the dearest things to con gressmen in their careers. It is by such 'items," relating to their own To- cal communities, that they accomplish what their people want. They would not sacrifice their right to secure such items" for it is the only way they can get what they want
 Other Economy Suggestions.
 Another suggestion along this same line Is the budget system, into which there will be . general Jumping of all appropriations. Nearly forty years ago sor political purposes the budget sys- tenn was destroyed by distributing the appropriation bills among various com mittees. That cant be changed The tendency is to spread rather than cur tail the control of these appropriation bills.
 Jumping a lot of things together is another method of congressman to get what they want. That is what they do with river and hurbor apprOpria- tions, public building bills and claim bills. The good is made to carry the bad. Good bills could not pass alone, for the logrolling methods have been found profitable for the fellow with small items, which would never get hearing unless they were put in Om- nibus bills.
 Do Not Want Economy
 The people do not want economy. The Democratic party came into pow CT after the denunCiatiOn of the Re publicans for extravaganza, and the six years of Democratic control of the house, with strenuous economist at the head of tho appropriations com mittce, have seen the greatest eXtrav- agance ever known. Said the econo- mist chairman, Fitzgerald, recently:
 "The people do not want economy. Whiuman'S administration has been the most eXtravagant ever known, and he was reelected in New York by 13O, 900 majority. If were in the opposi- tion in this house I could make the greatest speech ever heard on waste fitness and cXtravagance."
 War Secretaries Opinions.
 Most of the former secretaries of war who have expressed opinions are for universal military training. One of the latest to take this position is Jacob NJ. Dickinson, a Democrat, who was in Taft's cabinet. We must have militia universal training" he said recently, unless we confess ourselves at the mercy of other nations"
 GaIIinger's Warning.
 During the discussion of the immi- grafton bill in the senate there were many and often prolonged references to Japan and her people. Once the senate doors were closed because the discussion was trending on grounds which might be offensive. At one time Senator Gallinger warned the senate against this kind of talk. Japan has control of the Pacific ocean," he said. By our own foolish legislation we have given her that control. She has a powerful navy and can keep control In war as she now has in commerce. We are on friendly terms with Japan and ought to continue them, and it is not we'll to be constantly discussing these questions and raising suspicious"
 Not Lone Orphan.
 The Alaska fisheries bill came up in the house, and it was shown that the great territory of the far northwest is not lone orphan. Most of the lead CTS In the house took Q hand in the discussion. Chairman Alexander of Missouri and Delegate Wickersham were of course prominent, as well as the men from the Pacific coast states. But, in addition, there were Bonnet of New York, Moore of Pennsylvania, Saunders and Montague of Virginia, Cooper of Wisconsin, Hardy of Texas, Fess of Ohio, SissOn of Mississippi, Linthicum of Maryland and, of course, Mann of Illinois.
 Murray's Offer.
 While discussing clerks salaries and the possibility that they could not be obtained for $125 per month, Murray of Oklahoma interrupted to remark: