The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-19

TIE government can expen1 VOL
o0o 900, 900 or $4,000. 5000
within the fiscal year. and If these
sums cannot be spent, taxes will
not he levied The increased esti-
mates will be met by contract
authorizations.
Genera March, chief of staff
with Provost Marshal-Generai
trowder, before the appropria-
lions committee of the house to
day SAID that the additional 81
coo 600 600 would be required in
actual appropriations and not in
contract authorizations
Big Expenditure.
These statements while triie
surprising, as the estimates include
the production OF big guns. fortifica-
tons etc. are not regarded as final
affecting the actual expenditure Of
s3l 600 600, 900 in the fiscal year. and
If a way can he found to pass along
both taxation and bond issues to the
next year, it will he employed in
/ financing the government through
the present year of war expenditures.
/ General March told the appropria-
/ tons committee that in order TO carry
! out the fixed program Of the war de-
fpartment for putting an overwhelm-
ing force in France the usual prac
tiee Of awarding portion OF the
money as an appropriation and au-
+ thorIZinE contracts for the balance
cannot be followed He said that
actual cash viii be needed for the
greater part OF the huge sum if this
program is to be followed out
General March explained the
program for the new draft by
saving that it planned TO secure
j 200, 600 men from the eighteen
~
exemptions, reflections and other
deductions. The m X m IL m
strength Of the army fixed upon
IL $500 600 men. of which 5000
900 are now in service. This
leaves 500 600 to he added, and
1t is believed this number can
+ he secured from the first 2700-
600 cali.
General Crowder. who followed
General March. said that from
the nineteen to twenty and the
thirty-two to thirty-six classes. at
/ least one-haH OF the total mum
! her of men required or 1850,
GOO can he obtained.
! Prom Missouri ="
General March's insistance upon
obtaining actual appropriations OF
money for the greater portion of the
amount required took the commit
tee by surprise Chairman Sherley
and other members had been pro
jceedinE upon the theory that while
the estimates submitted by the wal
department called for nearly $4,000.
/ 600 600, it would not he necessary &c
provide for payment OF this amount
out Of the funds of the present fsca
year.
! Mr. SherIey declined t. say what
/ the policy of the committee would
be in the matter OF General March
request He said the committee
would give the statement the fullest
consideration in making up the de-
I ficiency bill.
The question of hnding additiona
war revenue, if it is absolutely need
cd Will he cared for by This com
mittee" said prominent member ot
the senate finance committee today
1T is presumed that the house has
comhed the country to find sources
of revenue. There has always beer
disposition on the part OF congress
to avoid direct consumption taxes II
| possible. but the senate committee
will meet this issue sQuarely,
! TT will attempt, of course to ex-
empt the actual necessaries of life
which do not include, in the las
analysis. sugar, tea. a~'' "Nffee. bu
will levy the necessa umptior
taxes fairly and he md the
people will be better d from
rising prices and war pl rinG than
under any indirect taxation scheme
THAT could he devised"