Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-08
~ MILLION
DAILY COST
0fWARFARE
In Ten Months America Has
Invested 81, 100,0 00, 900, In
Guiding 81, 900
Loans to Allies; Increase
Is Rapid.
FIRST YEARS EXPENSE
Is ALMOST $10,o0O,0oo,o0O

Washington, D. c., Feb. 5.-Ten
months of the war have cost the
United States about s7.100000, OOO-at
the rate of $710, 100000 month nearly
$24.000,000 a day.
More than half of this huge sum, or
$4,121 100000 has been paid as loans to
the allies and the balance, about
$4,000. 100000, represents Americas
outlay for its own war purposes, ex-
elusive of more than 5000, 100000 for
ordinary governmental expenses.
The wars toll in money is increasing
at the rate of more than s100,00O,000
month and indications now are that
the two remaining months of the ma
tons first year as belligerent will
run it's war bill to nearly $4,000, 0O0,-
900, of which $4,000, 100000 will be for
llied loans and about the same amount
for the army and navy, shipping board
and other war agencies.
BELOW FIRST ESTIMATES.
These figures compiled today from
the latest available treasury figures,
show that although the country's ex-
penditures are running into totals
never before dreamed Of they are be-
low official estimates made early in
the war
Two factories are held mainly re-
sponsible for this difference. Officials
of the war, navy and other depart
nlents figured literally on their ex-
penditures originally to allow mar
gin of financial safety. In addition.
production of ships and war supplies
has failed to develop as rapidly as had
Mo oil ;,,{ ole
that as big contracts for ships and
army materials fall due in the next
few months the expenses may run up
faster than is anticipated even now.
LIBERTY LOANS HELP.
Government borrowings on the two
liberty loans have paid for four-fifths
of the wars cost and taxation and a
few minor ordinary government re-
ceipts for about one-fifth. The loan
campaigns produced s5,792, 100000 and
s. ESQ. O00. 900 came direct from the
people and will not have to be repaid.
Financial demands Of the war in the
next few months will be met in the
same way-by another bond issue and
by taxes which will begin soon to roll
In from the first war tax act.
How America gradually got into her
stride in the war, is shown graphically
by the monthly outpourings Of funds
since the day congress authorized a
declaration of war; ten months ago to-
morrow Before last April the month:
~ operating expenses were about $751;
100000 and the total annual expenses
About $1,000, 100000.
$715,ooo,o0o IN JANUARY.
MI, 10 To-
month. May, 1917, expenses jumped to
$114, 100000 and last month they were
$715, 0OO, 900.
These big sums did not include the
lied loans They have averaged $780,
100000 a month from the time the
United States entered the fight against
Germany.
The army, navy and shipping board
alone have dipped into the financial
war chest for more than 95 per cent
Of the nations fighting funds.
Two-thirds of the 00000,000 ex-
penses for war purposes has been for
ne army and the entire military
establishment The war departments
estimated expenditures for the year
ending next June 80, figured last June,
are $3.50, 100000, but officials now
feel certain that actual expenditures
will not reach this by billion or per-
haps more.
NAVY COSTS o5,ooo,ooo.
The naval establishment has cost
$7o5 100000 since the war began.
The shipping board has fallen
artherest below its estimates with pay
ments since last April for ship and
shipyard construction of little more
than $200,000,O00. Up to December /
the governments shipping program
had cost only s123,O00,oo0 but en-
penditures in the last two months in
creased by probably twice the former
rate and as ships are completed faster
In the near future the shipping boards
funds are expected to be depleted more
rapidly.