The sun., 1917-09-24
10 PER CENT.0F
US. WEALTH IN
CONGRESS BILLS
National Legislators Con-
cerned Over Checking of
the Expenditure.
WANT A CLOSE WATCH
Belief Is That Country Will
Demand Closer Cooperation
in Departments.
WANT A CLOSE WATCH
Special Despdtch to tbs srS.


WARRINGTON. Sept. 2S.-Since De-
cember. 1916, or in a little more than
ten months, the Congress Of the United
States has authorised the expenditure
OF sc0.651, 7Up,73433 by the execu.
tive departments. The expenditure
rs for the fiscal year beginning July I
last and ending July 1. 1918.
With the ANAL enactment of the war
revenue bill, probably early this week. the
present Congress will have authorized
the raising Of revenue by taxation and
bond issue amounting to approximately
415.605.945.4SO.
The greatest total for the appropria-
tions Of a single Congress in the history
| Of the Government prior to the present
was for the last fiscal year. when the
total bill amounted to $1.s26. 100000. OF
the expenditures authorized since De-
cember / last all except Ss10,000,00o or
9.5S4.490.534 are extraordinary ex-
penditures brought on by the war This
| figure represents the war burden OF the
| United States for the first year as far
as can be ascertained at present.
Total Causes Concern.
} W nlle tneTe mas Deen no ulspOsitlOn
OH the part OF members OF Congress to
withhold appropriations asked by the
executive branch for the successful pros
ccution OF the war. the contemplation Of
| the staggering sum already voted Us be-
ginning TO cause some concern. That II
exceeds by many billions all the earlier
estimates OF the wars expense Is uni
versally conceded.
One reason for some Of the uneas'-
ness felt is the fact that In voting this
tremendous sum Congress has departed
In many instances from the practics
heretofore followed and has retained. N
the opinion OF many members, virtually
no control over its expenditure.
Not only have all records for the sizs
OF appropriations been shattered since
. Congress assembled last April. but Con.
gress. on account of the emergency, ha,
even refrained FROM specifying. except
In the most general way. how much oi
this total is to he spent In effect Il
has signed check on the nationa
wealth OF the country, drawn in blank, tc
he filled out by the executive branch FOL
the general purpose OF carrying on tht
! war
1t is in the absence Of any adequate
or effective way OF auditing these ex'
pendl,ures except along general lines
| that some thinking men in both house.
profess to see cause for uneasness. i
is pointed out that the defeat OF the Re
| publican plan for a committee on wal
expenditures has left practically no wa,
by which Congress can keep a check or
the expenditure of this money by tn,
executive officers OF the Government.
Committee Plan Dead.
$n. Las 81,
mittee to audit and advise on these tire
mendous war expenditures. It Is nov
known. the President threw all his po
litical and sentimental power, with th'
result that the war committee scheme II
dead so far as the present session Is con
cerned. Furthermore. ii Is conceded
that present conditions are likely to con
tinue until the imposition OF the take,
made necessary by these vast appropri
ations have the effect Of arousing sen
tment throughout the country for I
closer cooperation between the legisla
tive and executive branches.
Congressional leaders believe that sucl
a sentiment IL rising throughout tn
country BY the time the second session
Of the Sixty-afth Congress assemble
next December many believe It will hav
gained tremendous headway.
War burdens so far assumed amour
TO nearly 10 per cent. Of the wealth O
the United states. II contributed pc
capita the bill OF S19.5S4, 4,490.53 53i-whc
J Includes both appropriations and author
izations--would require personal con
tribution from every man, woman an
child In the United States Of $192. tn
per capita wealth OF the country in 1s1
was 1896. according to the census OF
nee.
BiII for Three Years War.
} At this rate. In view OF the hnancia
experts at the Capitol, II the war con
, tinues for three ycars. with increasingl
heavy expenditures. the bill may ult
, mately amount to so per cent Of tn
, national wealth.
Congress also has appropriated or AT
thorized the expenditure Of more tina
$4,000 100000 In excess OF the antic'
pated proceeds from hond and taxatio
/ measures This amount must be raise
Z at the December session through ir
{ creased levies on the small taxpayer.
' With this prospect before them men
bcrs of Congress are now casting aroun
for some means to meet the deman
which they feel certain the taxpayer wi
. make for an accounting without incu
I, ring the pointed displeasure Of II
n.s.,aont aud without er,ha IRA ssirp ~