Evening journal., 1918-11-20
NpusTnlEs TO BE PROTECTED.

TT is rumored and many Deawareans no doubt have
heard the rumor. that when the bill is taken
up again for consideration in the Senate Committee
special haste VIII be observed in completing IL
The immlnence Of final peace will mean the cancea-
ton Of thousands Of army contracts and the cessation OF
military work In general which II intended TO
spend hundreds Of millions of dollars
As a consequence. the demands upon The Treasury in
the ensuing year will fall far short Of the estimates
the legislation will have to be revised
ingly.
Last month the Chairman Of the Approp Com
mittee of the Scnat, submitted summary of the appro-
prations for the present on which btgau on Decen
Der g. 1917 since that date there has been appropriated
approximately s2is'7 100000 and additional contracts
have been au orzc TO ,he extent o 80 20 100000 To be
covered by appropriations al later date total Of
s36,29sOOOOOO
OF course much Of thai huge sum represents expand
lures that canno be avoided u the coming Of peace
The Shipping Board VIII require hundreds OF millions o.
finish the work It has in hands pay and maintenance Of
the army must continue until Il is demobilzed: the i'm
mensely enlarged government establishment at Washing
ton and in other cities must BE- maintained at least for
the present; interest the public debt must be paid
and other huge appropriations for less perma
nent purposes must be efl undsturbed.
But with all allowances for maintaining the govern
ment a going concern billions Of dollars remain, ap-
proprlated for waging the intensive basis
in i9i9 the expenditure Of which win be neces
sary.
In fixing the amounts in the recent appropriation
bills Congress had in mind the creation Of army Of
100000 men. with all the equipment that with such
a force. Such enlargement Of military strength Is
unnecessary
Housing projects, involving tens Of millions Of dollars
will be abandoned
Extensions to ordnance plants additions to existing
cantonments the intensive manufacture OF aircraft the
construction Of heavy ordnance for all OF which billions
have been appropriated during the year, will be halted
and the money will remain in the Treasury.
1t is impossible 10 form. at this time. approx
estimate of the huge saving to the Government that
will result from the stoppage Of our war activities
glance at the various appropriation bills, however
shows that the sum will run into the billions and may
even reach the total which the pending revenue bill is
expected TO raise.
In that case is evident that extensive revision Of the
present language Of that measure Is demanded.
Now is the time when the Federal Government should
treat with the greatest consideration its business enter
prises.
The change from a TO peace footing will require
the expenditure Of much capital
Those concerns that win lose prospective contracts
with the Government will suffer financially, although
probably reimbursed to extent when their contracts
are taken from them.
The facility with which the country adjusts itself TO
the activities Of peace will measure In the
inevitable competition in the worlds markets with other
nations
It would be a grave mistake TO impose upon our In
dusries unnecessary tax burdens while they under
going this Transformation
The Republicans in Congress will so the extent
OF nbusterng against the bill for the mere
purpose Of forcing II beyond March that they may
the partisan advantage Of writing entire tax bill
themselves.
On the other hand they viii give the closest scrutiny
every item in the pending measure in the light Of It's
effect upon industries that under heavy present
70 sud
den peace.
Sufficient money viii be raised to meet the necessary
expenses Of the Government but beyond that Protection
to American Industries will be the governing policy Of
the Republicans. II always has guided that party in
the past.