Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-12-03
EST|M ATE FOR
ARMY OF 100000


estimates its needs at 1922, 100000
in 1920, as compared with the $l2,-
274,0000O0 appropriated for this
year. Before the armistice it had
been figured that the army alone
would need moro than $l9,000,000,-
900 for 1920.
The navy's estimates for 1920 are
R,595,000,000, as compared with ST.
5ol 100000 appropriated for the cur
rent year, an increase of $1,000, 000,-
900, despite the closing of the war.
There is nothing to show what it
was estimated the navy would have
needed had the war continued.
May Be Further Cut.
These estimates may be pared
down considerably when the actual
needs of the government in closing
out war contracts become clearer.
Including $574,237,0O0 estimated
for Notifications, the total contem-
plated outlay on the army amounts
to $2,497,000,000. A striking figure
in the army estimates Is the $l44,-
$4,000 for air service production.
The appropriations last year under
this head were $760000,000. 1t is
evident that the War department is
proposing to continue construction
and manufacture of aircraft on
fairly large scale. Is
The largest single reduction from
the appropriations for this year for
the army is in pay, travel and gen.
eral expenses, the new estimate for
next year being S327,678,000 as
against $2,367,000,000 appropriated
for this year. Similarly large re-
duction is made in quartermaster's
estimates for supplies, clothing,
quarters, including cantonments and
similar expenses, the new figure be-
ing $o1l.78o,000, as compared to S.
100000 appropriated for this
year.
Postofices Get AK.
The shipping board asks $500,0OO,-
900 for building ships already au-
thorized by congress, $6O0O0,OOO for
operation of vessels, $l7,45l 900 for
recruiting and training officers and
crews and $l,453,000 for incidental
administration expense.
The item of $S93,000,000 as inter-
est on public debt includes provision
for meeting the semi-annual pay
ments on Liberty bonds already out
standing and those to be issued in
the near future.
There is small provision for post
Offices and other public buildings
and for river and harbor improve
rfients. Only $l,567,000 is included
in the estimates for buildings, mostly
for continuing construction already
under way. About half of the $l9,-
$4,000 for rivers and harbors is for
maintenance or continuation of ex-
listing projects; 100000 is asked as
a general fund for use by the secre-
tary of war and 100000 for food
control on the Mississippi river.
Establish Sinking Fund.
There is provision in the esti-
mate for $2S7 100000 for the estab-
lishment of sinking fund, reported
perfunctorily in previous years. In
the face of tremendous public debt,
however, it is regarded as probable
that congress now will provide for
a. redemption fund with which |
to pay bonds when they fall dre in
future years. The estimated total
OF $7,443,000,000 does not include
this item nor $35S,307, 900 for postal
service, the needs of which are
covered automatically by appropria-
tons, but are met directly from
postal revenues.
Keep Up Insurance.
That officials count on the con-
tinued functioning of the war risk
insurance bureau to administer
soldiers and sailors insurance and |
compensation payment is indicated |
by the request for $l2 ,367, 900 for adj
ministration expense.
Payments to soldiers and sailors,
or their dependents, on account OF |
compensation, or government al
lowances, are expected to run to
nearly $l20,000,000. Ten millions is
the estimated cost of collecting
customs and administering customs
regulations. ...