Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-21
Thursday, November 81, 1918.
Industries Must Be Protected.

alteration in the Senate committee
no special haste will be observed in
completing II. The inminence OF
final peace will mean the cancellation
of thousands OF army contracts and
the cessation of military work in
general on which II was intended to
spend hundreds of millions of dol
lars. As n consequence the demands
upon the treasury in the ensuing
year will fail far short OF the e3ti-
mates. and the revenue legislation
Will have TO be revised accordingly.
Last month the chairman Of the
appropriations committee of the Sem
ate submitted a summary Of the APP
propriations for the present session.
which began on December 3, 1917.
Since that date there has been APP
proo lated approximately $26, 877, 0O0,-
600 and additional contracts have
been authorized to the extent of So
AL 100000 to bc covered by appro-
priations at "A later date. or n total of
SS6. e9s 900, 900 OF course much of
that huge sim represents expendi-
lures that can not be avoided with
the coming of peace. The shipping
board viii require hundreds Of mil
Hons to finish the work it has in
hand: pay and maintenance of the
army must continue until it is de-
moblized; tho immensely enlarged
government establishment at Wash
ington and in other cities must be
maintained. at least for the present;
interest on the public debt must be
paid; and other huge appropriations
for more or less permanent purposes
must be left undisturbed.
But with all allowances fora main
tanning the government as going
concern. billions of dollars remain,
appropriated for waging the war on
more intensive basis an 1919. the
expenditure OF which will not now be
necessary. In fixing the amounts in
Congress had in mini the creation
Of an army of 5000, 900 men. with all
the equipment that goes with such a
force. Such an enlargement Of our
military strength Is now unnecessary.
Housing projects, involving tens of
millions OF dollars. should be aban-
doned. Extensions to ordnance
plants. additions to existing canton
ments. the intensive manufacture Of
aircraft. tho construction Of heavy
ordnance. foT all OF which billions
have been appropriated during the
year. Will be halted. and the money
will remain in the treasury.
II is impossible to form, at this
time, even an approximate estimate
OF the huge saving to the govern
ment that will result from the stop
page OF our war activities. A glance
Mt the various appropriation bills,
however shows that the sum will
iun into the billions, and may even
reach the total which the pending
revenue bill Is expected to raise. In
that case 1t is evident that extensive
revision of the presnt language of
that measure is demanded.
Now is the time when the federal
government should treat with the
greatest consideration its business
enterprises. The change from a war
to n peace footing will require the
expenditure Of much capital. Those
concerns that will lose prospective
contracts with tho governemnt will
suffer financially although probably
reimburse to some extent when their
contracts are taken from them. The
facility with which the country ad-
justs itself to the activities of peace
will measure our success in the in
cvitablc competition IN the worlds
markets with other nations. 1t
would he a grave mistake to impose
Upon our industries unnecessary tax
burdens while they are undergoing
this transformation.
The Republicans in Congress will
not 20 to the extent of filibustering
against the revenue bill for the mere
purpose OF forcing it beyond March
4th. that they may have the partisan
advantage OF writing an entire tax
bill themselves. On the other hand
they will give the closes. scrutiny 70
every tier, in the pending measure in
the light OF its effect upon indus
tries that are under heavy present
expense in the effort to accommodate
themselves to sudden peace. Suf-
ficient money will be raised to meet
the necessary expenses of the gov
eminent. but beyond that protection
10 American industries will be the
governing policy of the Republicans,
rs It always has guided that party in
tho past.
II you have read the list Of names
Of those who head the departments Of