New Mexico state record., 1918-11-29
VAST AMOUNT OF
FUNDS FOR THE WAR
NEED NOT Be Spent
BETWEEN FIVE AND TEN
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
CAN BE SAVED TO PEOPLE
IF GOVERNMENT ACTS
QUICKLY
Special to State Record.

Special to State Record.
Washington, Nov. Ex-senator
Martin of Virginia, the present
Chairman of the Appropriations
Committee and the leader of his
party in the Snate, is loud in his
declaration that an immediate re.
trenchment in expenditures must be
inaugurated. He contends that il
the present rate of appropriations
is continued the American people
will be 'hewers of wood and draw
ers of water for generations. SEN
ator Martins position is commend
able one, and in carrying out this
determination to effect an Immediate
reduction in the expenditures of the
Government he will receive the
whole-hearted cooperation of his
Reublican associates on the Appro-
priations Committee and his Repub-
fcan colleagues in the Senate.
But while Congress is animated
with a desire to cut down future
appropriations let it not lose sight
OF the huge amounts that have al
ready been authorized for the con-
tinuation of the war through an
other year, involving the equipment
and support of an army of 100000
men for that length of time. Since
the beginning of the present fiscal
year literally billions have been ap-
propriated on the theory tina. our
military power was to be greatly
augmented during the winter, ready
for a decisive blow in the spring
Instead of creasing, our army will
steadily diminish as it is returned
to the United States and the men
are sent o~their homes. In place
Of an intense production of guns
and munitions in the winter months
our factories will be rapidly convert
ed to meet the demands OF peace. A
very large portion of our war fund
will never be used for that purpose,
and it is the imperative duty of
Congress and its present Democratic
leaders to zee that as much as pos
sible of that sum is saved and re-
turned to the Treasury for reappro-
priation.
Let US see what the possibilities
are. In the first nine days of July
the President approved bills carry
ing appropriations and authorize
tions of $20,l44,5O0,374.94, mostly for
war purposes. On November 4th
another bill was signed adding &c.
N6,OO5. .666.W to that amount, hence
approximately 26H billions in mill
tary bills alone have been appro-
priated and authorized for the war
in addition to other millions, more. or
less directly connected with the war.
carried in other bills.
Included in the appropriation items
were 2H billions for new cannon
and rifles, over billions for ammu-
nition, over billion for aviation,
almost billions for army trans
portation, half a billion for housing,
barracks. navy yard extension, ware
houses. ETC., ~ billions for army and
navy pay. over 3H billions for sub
sistence, clothing, and Quartermast-
er supplies, over billion for en-
gineer equipment and field opera
tions. 90 millions for horses, 100 mil
lions for gas warfare. almost half
billion for the medical corps, 200
millions for target practice, etc., etc,
In addition to the appropriations ad-
ditional contracts were authorized
amounting to over 81 billions.
sums was to be extended over the
entire fiscal year. 1t is highly i'm
probable that more than half of the
entire amount has been spent or OBJ
ligated, and it is very possible that
much more than half of that amount
can be retained in the Treasury if
prompt and effective restraints are
put upon the Executive Departments
by Congress. From 5 to 10 billions
of dollars can be saved to the tax
payers of the United States if the
Democrats now in command of the
can be brought to a
proper realization of their response
hilities.