Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-08-26
Tuesday, August 26, 1919.
p.fiatien will Bring Down Prie.

Tuesday, August 26, 1919.
psfiation Will Bring Down Prices.
The high cost Of the war is a big
factor III the high cost Of living at
present. Emergency expenditures
are always likely to be greater than
those shown by the regular budget,
but the war department in particular
stands out as the bright and shining
example Of reckless extravaganve
and wasteful end inefficient methods
in 1917 and 1918.
The war department during the
war expended nearly $4,000. 100000 for
ordnance. However. only 70 Ameri-
can made guns and little more than
enough shells for two days artillery
preparation for big battle reached
the firing line, according to Repre-
sentative Graham (Ill), chairman of
the special House Committee on War
Expenditures.
These figures. Mr.. Graham said,
were obtained from the war depart
q ment as the result of the comE.ittee's
investigation.
'The ordnance department has ex-
rs for aril iS ys the
net result Of which was to deliver sew
enty-two American made guns on the
firing lire. From France an additional
forc wsfe these sssafea figures do s not include
ten guns borrowed from the navy and
twenty-eight from the coast defence
The only guns which reached the nrlng
before the committee. were forty-eight
Of the ~ inch guns and twenty-four Of
the S-inch howltzers.. A. total of 10000
fSn s v wsss naSsd when the
was eigned, but Of which only 481 had
been shipped to France.
Quite az appalling is s the sn =; tns
ordnance department. The total sum
expended for munitions was $3.1730l 4.4SS
and the net result of this expenditure
was io.ss7Sss shells Of all description ,Se n
enough enough Tor two days artillery prepare;
that the British fired 2'7ss.ooo rounds Of
battle of Messines Ridge and 100000 IN
PREPARATION for the battle of the Somme.
The figures given refer to ammunltlon
of all classes furnished the s expeuttion-
cept these from foreign governments.
When the United States entered
the war the government at once be-
gan bidding for labor. Prices were
no consideration. Cantonments and
shtps had to be built, army food and
clothing had to be supplied. rrms
and munitions were needed IN
quantity. The war was race
against time. All this was inevitable.
but the government at one stroke in
creased the labor employed. raised
the wage scale enormously and short
ened the day. The whole thing was
passed over to the public which had to
meet the government wages in order
to get any labor. and also hal and
still has to pay in taxes and in sor-
row for the blunders. poor workman
ship, and inefficiency Of uniformed
inspectors who didn't know their job
and workmen who would use
chisel Cor a screw driver. Men were
attracted by the handsome wages and
were hired whether they knew any
thing or not. until they got in each
Others way on the job and couldn't
work If they wished.
10 meet the immense government
expenses the treasury department in
creased the issues Of currency and
bonds until the per capita circula-
ton is nearly double what it was five
years ago. This has false aspect
Of prosperity that is misleading and
deludes a great many people when
used. as it often is. to adorn the
achievements of the government in
the war period. The country is
flooded with money and credit and
when money Is cheap. goods are high.
The remedy is the immediate curb
ing Of our national extravaganza and
the gradual dehation of the currency
until it reaches normal.
t"