Evening journal., 1919-01-18

II stopped in the postoflce on my
way home from school today, Uncle
Harry" said Jimmy, "and l was look
ing at the many bright colored war
posters that are hanging on the walls.
Posters for War Savings Stamps, the
Red Cross. and there are still some
there advertising the Liberty Bonds
Il couldn't help thinking, I wonder
how much this war has cost the United
States now that it's over and we've had
a chance TO figure things up"
Il imagine that great many people
are thinking that, Jimmy" said Uncle
Harry, "and fortunately, have a clip
ping here which tells about that very
subject. Would you Ike to hear some
OF the flguresf"
'Yes, indeed" said the boys and
Helen, drawing their chairs close to
Uncle Harry.
Very well," he said; would you
care TO venture guess FIRST? How
much, for instance, do you think the
treasury expenditures have amounted
TO since April, 1917"
"I'd hate 10 even guess, Uncle Harry, /"
said Helen, "for know It must be a
tremendous amount"
You're right in that respect any
how" he replied. 'Well hers IL Is.
During the 2i months from April 4, 1911.
which was just a few days before the
declaration OF war, TO December 81, 1918,
the total disbursements or oppropria-
tious amounted 20 S24, $50, $4,000, or
more than twenty-fOur and a half bill
lion dollars
The Cost Of the War.
The boys and Helen were prepared
for a great total. but this figure plainly
staggered them. They sank back in
their chairs and stared at Uncle Harry
In open m0uthed amazement.
But, wait a moment" continued
Uncle Harry, 1--WE must make a deduc-
tion from that figure. Mr.. McAd0o, In
his report assumed that $1,000 900
would have been spent during that
period under peace conditions, which
leaves s22, ,5s9, $4,000 as the cost Of the
war"
well, there's one good thing about
II" said Joe, Il suppose that since the
signing Of the armistlce the expenses
showed a great drop didn't they?"
"Not exactly" replied Uncle Harry,
ION the contrary the expenditures for
December showed a big increase, 81
100000 being the amount disbursed.
This, by the way. is the largest sum
that the treasury has disbursed in a
month In the history Of the nation.
"The total figures that / gave you" :"
said Uncle Harry, included the loans
10 the Allies in 1918, reported TO be ap-
proximately si.i50,O0OOO0. This brings
the total In such loans since the United
States entered the war to more than
eight billions Of dollars"
"But why have the expenses showed
an increase since the war ended, Uncle
Harry" asked Jimmy.
while it Is true that the singing OF
the armlstice marked the end OF the
actual flghting," he replied, ut did not
mark the end Of the war insofar as the
expenses are concerned. In this point.
the war may be compared to one OF the
big locomotives that pass 'our station
every day pulling a long train at the
rate Of fifty or sixty miles an hour.
When the engineer wants TO stop the
train he begins to apply the air brakes,
/ but the momentum Of the train is so
great that Il cannot be brought to a
stop until II has gone possibly quarter
OF a mile further.
"The great part Of our armies are
still in Europe and. judging from condi-
tions in Germany and the great prob
lens yet TO be settled by the Peace Con-
ference, they will be there for a long
time to come. Aside from our army in
Germany, our government has been
maintaining a force In Russia at an ex-
pense OF millions OF dollars. Moreover.
IL Is costing a vast amount Of money to
transport the troops. wounded and 9TH
erwise, who are no longer required in
Europe and TO care for them in hospi-
tails over here.
military authorities tell us that Il
will possibly be at least year from the
signing OF the armistice until demobili-
zation OF our armies is complete, iudg-
ing from present indications.
War Costs "Tapering or"
"The defeat OF Germany continued
Uncle Harry, "of course brought a big
reduction IN estimated war expendi-
lures. In June, 1918. Mr.. McAdoo. pre-
pairing for. a long war. estimated that
the expenditures for the flscal year 1918
would be twenty-four billions OF dol
lars. In accordance with the method
previously followed, Il was planned 10