The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-26
CONGRESS WILL END
WAR WORK WASTE


Is true not only Of the bills that pro-
vide funds for executive. civil branches
OF the Government but also Of the
army and navy.
Republicans Grow Resttve.
The Republicans will require ex'
PLANTATION Of every ship and every navy
yard extension which II may be pro-
posed to build. Already the Republi'
cans are growing FESTIVE over the de-
lay on the part Of the Administration
in making known It's plans In regard
to the size Of the army after genera
rehabilitation. They assert 1t is time
that some outline Of the Government:
Intentions with regard to the mainte-
nance Of the fighting force after wal
shall be given.
The leaders in Congress regardless
Of partisan affiliation are ready to be-
gin cutting down expensesl The Demo
Gratis, with Senator Martin (va.)
chairman Of the Appropriations Com
mittee, leading the movement. are In
sistent that q retrenchment pro.
gramme shall be got under way now.
The Democrats are quite as much
at sea as Is the opposition with re-
gard to how the cuts and slashes shall
be made. They are strong for cutting
for they hold the view that they are
the responsible party until March
The whole programme waits upon the
Chief Executive and thus far nothing
is forthcoming.
When last week Secretary Baker an.
nounced his first cancellations OF con-
tracts It was pointed out by him that
more than S1.1o0. O00o 900 would b.
saved by these cancellations. but thai
was q drop In the bucket to what the
legislators assert shall be the cut ir
the waste Of Government funds The
contracts which Mr.. Baker cancelled
were future contracts. The contracts
at which the Republican axe 10 aimed
are running orders.
Demand Waste Re stopped.
The Republicans want sometime
tangible done with regard to the way
vast Treasury funds ans being pait
out now for war material and supplies
that will never be used. With the re.
sumption OF the session next Monday
the demand will start. II is hoped
that the President will anticipate thi:
with suggestions and explanations IL
his message to Congress.
The Presidents determination to &c
to Europe is now seen as a tremendous
stumbling block in the path Of early
stoppage Of the waste OF public funds
Even the contemplated action OF
Congress in repeating hundreds of mil.
lions. or even billions Of the appro.
priations already made, cannot be Ell.
tecuve without the signature Of the
President
The bill must be forwarded to the
President somewhere in Europe. his
signature obtained and the measure
then brought back and Congress Of.
ficially apprised before the repeating
act is effective. How many weeks will
be wasted In this way IL is hard to es.
innate. as the President has ten DAYS
IN which to sign any measure after
1t Is presented to him.
War Industries Board Helps.
The part OF the War Industries Boarc
is playing in the present chaos is tina
OF trying to smooth out the difficulties
real or imaginary. faced by the Gov.
eminent and by war contractors alike
In lifting the restrictions which hav,
been In effect on many industries dur.
ing the war the board is endeavori!
to enlarge the field for non-war \gorl
to take care OF the war workers &.
fast as their war jobs are terminated
The War Industries Board. IL wa.
declared to-day by one OF its mem
bers. Is placing every facility in tn,
hands Of other governmental agencies
for the quick cancella ton of war con
tracts. An Official OF the board VIII,
would not permit his name 10 be uset
had this to say:
Our raw materials will be needle,
too greatly in the coming months TO
US to foster needless war productio,
at this moment. We are trying to fin,
the line which separates the best l.
terests Of the people and the iudustrie
from waste OF public funds. Economi,
! depression and idleness is not econouay
ny more than is needless war pro
duction."
Government funds spent in waste,
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