Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-05-23
coNoasssMAN GOOD AND sgNA.
roR KENYON LEAD CONGRESS
IN FINANCIAL CHANGED.
BOTH MOVE TO SECURE
REFORMS IN BUSINESS
Budget Systsn Certain to Be Enacted
Into Gswzr Responsibility For Waste
and sstr psanes Would Be Put d.
reetiy upr&o President Under Mr..
Goods Pfoposal--Prssent Methods
Haphaxard.
tBy Il. q. Dougherty.l

'oSHihS'oii, NAY go ut HuhiSS "
Senator Kenyon and Representative
Good. of Iowa, will be inseparably at
tachcd to any reforms passed by the
new congress in the financial system
of the government, II was assured this
week. when both legislators introduced
bills for the creation OF n national
budget system to replace the present
method of providing funds with which
to carry on the governmental depart
| ments.
Senator Kenyon's resolution was
J for the creation OF a budget commits
sion to study the budget systems OF
foreign countries and to recommend
| Legislation for an American budget
system before Dec. 81, 1919. The com
mission would be made up Of the sec
rotary of the treasury and two other
executive officials chosen by the presi-
dent, with three senators and three
representatives.
Mr. Goods bill provides for a COM
prehcnsive budsetary system during
the present fiscal year. While legis-
lation of this form has been approved
by both political parties and favored
by President Wilson. Mr. Good, as
chairman of the house committee o.
appropriations. will probably have the
distinction of having his measure
pressed for speedy passage because OF
his leadership in the houses financial
activities.
There never was time when so
many forces were working for lcg.sla-
ton of this kind" Mr. Good said.
"Burdensome taxes TO meet extra :
ordinary expenditures will prompt
| congress to enact legislation 10 elimi-
nate waste and extravaganza In the
governments financial operations.
While radically changing the system
| of making estimates for appropria-
tions. and the audit and control OF
funds appropriated. the Good bill re-
tains all that was good in presen,
system.
by centralizing responsibility for
the estimates in the president and Civ
| ing congress an independent audit and
control Mr. Good explained. this
bill provides for a more scientific and
workable system of checks and bal
ances."
Present Plan Defective.
Under the present law the heads OF
all government agencies and depart
ments are required to submit to the
secretary of the treasury on or before
| Oct. 10 each year their annual estl-
| mate of funds required for their orr
ganiZations. The estimates are pre-
pared by the various departments. and
| when submitted, are included in the
! treasurys book Of estimates sent an
nually to congress. Advocates OF q
! budget system assert that this system
| stimulates rivalry on the part OF the
various bureaus OF the executive de-
partments. The activities of the de-
| partments are not co-ordinated and
| extrayagance. inefficiency and dupli-
cation Of service results1
1.-THE defect in this plan is apparent
| to any one who has made study of Its
practical operation" Mr.. Good de-
clared. Practically everyone familiar
with its workings agree that the
failure OF the plan lies in the fact that
no one is responsible for the estimates
They are a patchwork, not structure
/ As a result a great deal of the time OF
committees of congress is taken up In
exploding the visionary schemes Of
I
istraton would be willing to stand
| sponsor"
| Mr.. Goods Plan.
| The Good plan provides for the crea
ton of bureau of the budget in the
office of the president, with q director
at $4,000 a year and an assistant d.
rector at $500 a year. The bill APP
propriates 100000 for the establish
ment and maintenance OF the bureau
during the fiscal year 1920 The blu.
reau would be charged with the duty
Of furnishing to the president the in
formation necessary for the prepare
ton Of budget for submission II
congress at the beginning of each SEES
sion The budget would show thu
necessary expenditures Of the govern
ment on one hand and the sources o
revenue on the other. The bill alst
creates an accounting department
under the control of q new OFFICIAL. tn
controller general Of the United
States. The controller-general would
be appointed by the president. hui
would be removable only by congress
for cause. The controllers genera
would perform the duties now per
formed by the controller OF the treas
ury and the auditors Of various FED
eral departments.
1.-THE accounting department. MI
Good explained, would be independ
ent of the executive departments an
in reality become aim vi Svsies
This government is the only one wher
the control and audit OF account
passes entirely from the control
congress after the appropriations ar