The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-12-17

Inc result o. WdStefuE eXtTaflgaflce during
the war. They will argue that the tax
payer can sweep away the waste only
BY employing new broom Democrats,
who necessarily will be on the defensive,
are expected to take the position that the
present huge expenditures, running into
billions OF dollars, are a necessary part
OF the effort TO clean up the cost of the
war: that the sums spent during the war
were justified by the nature of the EN-
crgeHcy and the results attained, and
that the policy OF the administration
promises decrease III the burden now
borne by the taxpayer. The line of argu-
ment to be adopted by the Wilson sup
porters is clearly indicated by statement
Just issued by the publicity bureau OF the
Democratic National Committee. The
prosecutors of the war" says the partisan
circular, "concedc great sums OF money
we're spent, but they explain that they
saved time and lives III speeding up. 1t
| was Il plain case Of human lives against
| dollars. The administration let the dollars
90 and saved the fighting boys. This,
| lie it understood, is a pre-campaign state
rnent. Possibly more will be conceded
| and more explained before next October
when the campaign will have reached its
height
Much will he said about the budget
/ plan. which is confidently expected to re-
tluce governmental expenditures. The
j, Democrats will emphasize that President
Wilson has urged the legislation on two
different occasions, but their political
enemies can assert with no little pride
that il remained for Republican con,
gress to take action The house. at the
extra session OF the present congress, pass
ed a budget bill and the senate is now
ut work on bin OF its own. Every
| thing indicates that both branches will
act finally before the campaign begins
Some economists question whether proper
attention has been given to fundamen
I tai cure, namely complete recorganlza
ton, by appropriate legislation, of those
dcpal ,uents and bureaus whose dupiea
ton Of effort and lack oil coordination art
not only responsible for waste but fol
s. degree Of inefiiciencv that Injuries the
interests and prospects Of the nation Al
large The most that the budget plar
can accomplish. they say. Is to discourage
waste by fixing responsibility for thu
size ue the expenditures and by spreadin:
before the taxpayers, when appropriation
are being considered hv congress. balance
sheet showing where the money is going |
cannot. without additional legislation, re
medv situation whereby numerou
agencies Of the government, by authorit,
OF existing law. are duplicating eacl
others work without achieving an,
coordinuted result
Matters OF foreign trade are commandin
more and more attention. The Unite.
States. having. by virtue OF the war, al
tanned q position Of prominence in com
mercial opportunities, faces the keenes
kind Of competition to hold its place Tn
; function OF the government will be t
promote the development Of foreign MAJ
; kents III such way az 10 give the America
: merchant At least an oven break with hi
It is essential that the government - oul
! have abroad not only trained experts an
observers, but that it should have thes
). eyes 60 coordinated in their work az I
give clear vision and proper perspectiv,
u II has hncn emphasized repeatedly thu
: the double loss OF an unnecessary co,
/ t. the taxpayer and lack of efficienc
is involved. Right now III every EuroI
: can country, where the principal market
are. 60 be FOR many years TO come, no les
! than five different departments Of Il
!. government tho state department, ii
! commerce department, the treasury d
pastnent the shipping board and eve