The Washington herald., 1918-05-14
BILLIONS
LESS In ARMY
SUPPLY BILL,
Estimate Cut When Goa
Defense Items Found
Twice in Measures.
SHIRLEY SAW ERRORe
viii Propose Budget tc
Prevent Such Mistakes
in Future.
SHIRLEY SAW ERRORsse

Four billion dollars was knocked
OF the nations preparedness bill.
when the announcement was made
yesterday, that the House Military
Committees army bill figures ,arc
$l1.771. .666. SASS.
The previous estimate OF more
than $4,000, 900. 900. 1t was explain
ed, was due to an error in duplicat-
ing certain items which are to be
carried in the fortifications bill.
These were mostly for field artillery
and defense cannon.
1t seems likely that the total
land preparedness budget for the
fiscal year 1918 will not run great
ly in excess of SIS. 900. 100000. Prev
ious estimates had been $1,000. .000.-
900 for the army and S6.0O0,oOO,-
900 for fortifications.
Total 80, 5,ooo, 900. 900.
This will bring the total appro-
priations probable in this session Of
Congress closer to $4,000. .O0o,0o than
to the s31 .o0O. 100000 which had
been estimated. A great number Of
further Implications are expected By
Congressional leaders.
The cannon manufacturing part
Of the ordnance program, 1t is said.
cannot be finished inside of eighteen
months, yet the sum Of money need
ed for the whole work has been
asked in the present fortifications
bill. Congress Is legally compelled
to strike out all sums which will
not be spent in the fiscal year 1919.
1t may authorize, but not appro-
pirate, for the rest of the expendi-
lures.
To Cat Coast Defenses.
This is expected to cut heavily
INTO the fortffications bill total
which is now estimated at ss,o0o.-
eoO, 900. The estimates for this bill
were sent to the House appropria-
tions commmittee yesterday.
The error in the army appropriation
bill had deceived even Secretary
Baker and Chief of STAFF March. Both
said. when questioned on the $15.00O.-
900 900 total, that it was all for the
army bill, and not for the fortifca-
tions measure. The Implications were
discovered when statisticians began
checking over the figures submitted In
the two bills.
The new estimated total for land
preparedness-s15,000 900, 900. 900 or so for
all departments-is more In line with
what Congressional leaders thought
could actually be done. Most OF them
thought the previous figures extrava-
CANT, in that the program was, they
thought. a bigger job than the pro-
ductive capacity Of the country could
handle.
Move for Budget.
One result of today's discovery
probably will be a move toward a
budget system. Chairman Shirley, of
the House Appropriations Committee,
will take the initiative in the next
two or three days.
The army appropriation bfll Is
framed by the Military Affairs Com
mittee, and the Notifications bill by
the appropriations committee. AS
these two committees. under the pres
ent Congressional system, are not at
all in touch, further duplication, II Is
feared. may slip through.
II has frequently been charged that,
when the head Of a war department
bureau had an item which he was
doubtful Congress would approve, he
would include 1t in his estimates for
both the army and the fortifications
measure. Then, IL one committee
struck out the item. he had an even
chance of retaining 1t in the other;
or II both committees cut his estimate
in half, he would still get all he really
desired.
shirley VIII Scan Proposals..
Chairman Shirley said last night
THE Appropriations Committee
stands ready to vote any amount Of
money needed for the war, but I give
notice that, in view of the immense
sums needed. we will be extraordi-
narily careful in scanning all esti-
mates. The cry that Congress should
vote all that 1t is asked to vote will
meet the approval of no thoughtful
member or citizen. With many new
and enthusiastic officials, it Is easy
to pile up duplicate appropriations,
and to authorize spending hundreds
Of millions more than are needed"
The House Military Affairs Com
mittee has practically finished con-
sidering the army appropriation bill.
II probably will be reported favorably
late this week. Members say that
no great cut from present estima ties
is likely.
HURRY IMPROVEMENTS