Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-08
AMERICA IS PAYING
S24.OOO.0O0 PER DAY
WAR EXPENDITURES
Nation Has Spent Seven Bill
lions in First Ten Months,
Including Great Loans to
Allies

Allies
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Ten months
Of war have cost the United States
about $1,000. 900, O0O-at the rate of
S7lO.OOO.UOO a month. nearly $4,000 900
day.
More than half of this huge sum, or
S4l2l zoe. 0OO, has been paid as loans to
TIE allies. and the balance, about $4,000
coo, 0OO represents Americas outlay for
its own war purposes, exclusive of more
than $500. 5000 for ordinary govern
mental expenses.
The wars toll in money is Increasing
al the rate of more than $780, 900, 900 a
month. and indications now are that the
two remaining months or the nations
FIRST year as a belliserent will run its
war bill to nearly $4,000, 00O,O of
loans and about the same amount for
the army, navy, .hipping board and
other war agencies.
These figures, computed today from
the latest available treasury figures,
show that although the countrys ex-
penditures are running into totals never
before dreamed of. they are below Of
Il cisl estimates made early in the war.
since war was declared April s. and
the fiscal year for which estimates were
made did not begin until July /, it is
difficult TO compare precisely the actual
war cost with the fiscal year estimates.
Most OF the war expenses have been i'm
CURED since July l, however, and the
total outlay since then has been $780,
600, 600 in a little more than seven
months. as compared with an estimate
o. SIS, 431 900, 600 for the entire year.
Two factors are held mainly respon5.-
BILE for this difference. Officials of the
war, navy and other departments figured
literally on their expenditures original
iy, to allow a margin of financial safety.
In addition, production of ships and war
supplies has failed to develop as had
been planned. Officials point out also
that as big contracts for ships and army
materials fall due in the next few
months, the expenses may run up faster
than is anticipated even now.
Loans Pay Large Part
Government borrowing on the two
Liberty loans have paid for four-hfths
of the wars cost, and taxation and few
minor ordinary government receipts tor
about one-fifth. The loan campaigns
produced s5,792, 100000 and S1,25O,0OO,-
600 came direct from the pockets of the
people. and will not have to be repaid
Financial demands of the war in the
next few months will be met in the same
way-by another bond issue, and by
taxes which will begin soon to roll IN
from the first war tax act.
How America gradually got into he.
stride in the war is graphically shown
by the monthly outpourings of fun Is
since the day congress authorized a lee
laration of war-ten months ago tomor'
row. Before last April, the monthly
operating expenses were about $75,O09.'
= =,
Guiding about 3O0,O0O,000 postal ex'
penditures, which were paid back into
the treasury eventually, reached only a
little more than $1,000. 100000
Then came the war. In the first month
Nav. 1917. expenses jumped to $114, 00O,-
600: in June TO Sl34,0OO, 900; in July to
SOS 600, 600; in August to S227.000, 900
in September to $349, 00O,0O0 BY Octo-
Der, the monthly outlay had reached
$462, 600, 900; November, S512,000,00
December, S611 ,OOO. 900; and last month
they were 715.OOO.O0O. In the first five
days of this month, the government has
spent s15O,000.000.
These big sums did not include the
allied loans. They have averaged $3.50,
OOO. 900 a month from the time the
United States entered the common fgh
against Germany.
Army Expenditures
The army. navy and shipping board
alone have dipped into the financial wal
chest for more than 95 per cent of the
nations lighting funds.
Two-thirds of the $4,000, 100000 ex-
pense for the war purposes in the last
/ ten months has been for the army, anC
the entire military establishment Up
/ to last December 1. the latest date or
which precise figures for government
! deDartment expenditure were available
| the expenses OF the army-munitions
supplies, training camps, soldiers pay
| ordnance, and the cost of running thu
vast machinery-was 1880, 900, 900
Since then il is estimated that nearly
/ $500. GOO, 600 has been expended for the
military forces, making a total of more
/ than $4,000, 100000. The war depart
ment's estimated expenditures for thu
/ year ending next June 80, figured las
/ June, are $3.50, 100000, but official!
/ now feel certain that actual expendi
/ lures will not reach this by a billion
/ or perhaps more.
Naval Expenses
| The naval establishment has cos
/ 100000, 600 since the war began &C
/ cording to unofficial computations OF
the basis of treasury figures. Up Il
December 1 the actual outlay wa
s513, 900, and since then it is esti
mated about 1892. 200, 900 has been ex
pended for the naval fighting forces
new construction, and other elements.
The shipping board has fallen farther
/ est below it's estimtes, with payment!
since last April for ships and shipyarC
construction, a little more than 5000.
600, 900. Up TO December 1 the gov
ernment's shipping program had cos
$4,000, 900, but expenditures in tn
last two months increased by probabl!
twice the former rate, and as ships ar,
completed faster in the near future, tht
shipping boards funds are expected t.
| be depleted more rapidly.