The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-22
BUDGET BILLPASSED
/ BY HOUSE, 2SS TO 8
system Will Become Effective
on July 1, 1920, Under
the Measure.
no CHECK CORRESPONDING
Boom for Champ Clark as
Presidential Candidate
Marks Proceedings.
TO CHECK OvERSPENDING
specidl Despatch TO THE Sun.

WASHINGTON, OCt dill inc nope
a, reducing the large postwar expendi-
lures of the Government so that taxes
,ooner may be reduced, the House by
an overwhelming vote passed to-day the
nil providing for q national budget sys-
fem to become effective July 1, 1920.
Opposition to the bill proved much less
than was expected, only three members
voting against 1t, while the affirmative
vote was 2s3. Members voting in the
negative were Representatives Moon
TENN, Blackman and Steagall Gala
oil Democrats.
The two important features of the
Dill are:
The establishment of a bureau of
the budget under the direction of the
President which shall compile all
estimates for appropriations submit
ted by the departments, eliminate all
extravaganza and duplication and
otherwise pare them down to the
lowest possible minimum, taking into
consideration the probable revenues
for each fiscal year. These estimates
are then to be sent to Congress in the
form of a budget for the fiscal year.
An independent audit of all Gov
eminent expenditures by stan
under the head of the Comptroller
General, whose duty 1t shall be to
prevent and expose all extravaganza
and misuse of funds. This Is de-
signed to prevent Government de-
partments from exceeding their APP
proprations and then coming to Con-
sress with deficiency requests.
Budget Committee Question.
BY passing the bill the House gave its
approval TO the establishment OF a
budget system in the executive depart
ments The question now is whether II
will apply the same methods to its rules
Of procedure by establishing budget
committee which shall consider all APP
propriations as a means of accomplish
INK greater economy. This change is
provided in a separate resolution which
will not be called up until next session.
Representative Good Uowa), chair
man Of the special committee to investi-
rate the budget, says he is certain II
will pass if the budget bill agreed to Is
finally approved. There is strong oppo-
fition, however, to shearing the seven
appropriation committees of their pow
ers and influence and the report on the
resolution by the special committee was
not unanimous as was the case of the
budget for the executive departments.
The most important amendment
adopted by the House was that Offered
by Representative Graham (Pa.) to put
a check on the correspondence of ap'
propriations by the various departments
This provides that the Comptroller-Gen-
eral shall report to Congress immedi'
ately when any department or bureau
sends vouchers to the Treasury for a
greater amount than its appropriations
This is expected greatly to reduce the
large deficiency bills that are being
brought into Congress every few
months under the present system.
Congress heretofore" said Mr..
Graham, has had no check on this prac-
tice The department simply exceeded
their appropriations knowing that Con-
gress would make up the deficiency
They have come to US and said that
the money has been spent and the bills
are obligations of the United States. SO
there is nothing left for Congress to dc
but to make appropriations"
Demand for Economy.
Running all through the debate on the
VII 4DT the ldSl lOuI udNS was ING
strong demand by leaders of both par
ties for greater economy in view of the
large debt and deficit of more than
s3,50O,O0O,OO in the Treasury this year
Practically every member who spoke
pledged himself TO greater economy
promising not to try to get large ap-
propriations for his district which in
view OF past performances. is consid-
cred remarkable change of viewpoin,
as well as an exceedingly difficult prom
Use TO keep.
Champ Clark (Mo.), just before the
debate closed to-day, came to the de-
fence Of the older men and incidentally
got boom from House members az
Presidential candidate. He forced
through an amendment knocking out a
section which provided for the retirement
on half pay of the directors of the budget
and the Independent audit when they
reached the age of 10. Mr. Clark saic
that some o. the world leaders are fan
above that mark and still are very
active
In Congress he referred TO the fact
that former Speaker Cannon is SO. Rep
resentative Sherwood (Ohio), civil wal
General, is S4; Speaker Gillett. who. he
said, Is right in the youth and flower
Of his bloom" is 6S, and then admitted
that he himself is So
why should We retire men at thi:
age when the Democratic party is nov
Planning to run n sixty-nine-year-olc
youth fOri President?' Representative
Rulings (Pa.) asked.
Mr. Hulings's remark was the occa
Sion Of the entire House rising anc
giving the Missourian an ovation.