The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-09
BUREAU
TO FRAME ALL
U. S. FINANCES
House Leaders Agree ON
Abolition of Old Appro-
priatiOns System.
GREATER ECONOMY rs AIM
Comptroller to Be Auditor and
President Held for Any
Extravagances.
GREATER ECONOMY rs AIM
srec,al psspatch to TIE srs.

Sreciai Despatch TO THE Sen.
WASHINGTON, Oct. S.---A national
budget system with many sweeping
changes In the present system Of gov
ernmental appropriation and ac-
counting was agreed to to-day by the
special House committee on the
budget composed Of leaders Of both
parties. The legislation was framed
with the view Of accomplishing much
greater economy to prevent the con-
tinued deficits in the Treasury at a
time when the country must start
paying its bonded war debt.
The legislation will be called up Sat-
urday. Republican Leader Mondell
said, and because of the fact that
House leaders composed the budget
committee its passage is predicted.
The new system under the wording Of
the bill would not go into effect until
the beginning Of the next fiscal year.
July /, 1920.
The committee in It's report to the
House made four distinct recommenda-
tions for changes in the present fnan-
cial system. These were:
1. A bureau of the budget shall be
established as separate Govern
meni department with director and
an assistant In charge. The bureau
will consider all requests for appro-
priations. eliminate Implications and
- fvux a iii
to Congress In the form Of q single
budget with an estimate OF Govern
ment receiptA Tho President In
charged through the bureau with the
responsibility for any. extravaganza.
2. All Government expenditures
shall undergo an INDEPENDENT audit by
an accounting department with the
Comptrollsr- General of the United
States at ITS head This replaces the
present system Of having each de-
partment audit its own accounts.
The Comptroller-General Is to serve
during good behavior.
3. The power to recommend appro-
priat.ons In the House is vested In a
single committee of thirty -five MEM
bers instead of seven committees. as
at present.
4. The House rules are amended so
that the House cannot accept legisla-
tive riders which the Senate makes q
practice Of attaching to appropria-
ton measures. often greatly delaying
their passage.
Old Rules Revived.
The first two provisions are in a bill
which was reported unanimously by the
committee. The others are carried in a
resolution which was reported with dis
senting opinions, some members of the
committee believing It unwise to confer
such great powers on one committee.
The resolution practically reestablished
the rules of the House about thirty
years ago. when all the appropriation
work was under the head OF one COM
mittee.
The whole programme" Representa-
tive Good Iowa), chairman OF the
budget committee. said, was framed TO
reduce the huge Government expend :
lures. which now exceed our receipts
despite tho ksavy taxation. Reduced
Government expenditures and taxes viii
be the issue in this country for twenty
and all other issues will pale into insig
nificance."
The strongest night on the programm,
Is expected to come on the resolut on
taking away from six committees their
appropriation powers. Many member
are jealous Of their power and poiitica.
influence as the result of recommending
appropriations. The total memberahip
of these committees Is 147, and SOM
members claim all these votes must be
overcome before the new system can be
adopted.
The committees affected are Fore ign
Affairs, Agriculture. Military Affairs
. Naval Affairs, Indian Affairs and Posi-
Offices and Post Roads.
Committee Power Limited.
Mr. Good explained that under the
| new system the committees will still
have Nthe power to determine all other
departmental questions except the, actual
appropriation work. The Military Com
n: ttee, for instance. will determine upon
the size OF the army, It's organisation
rates of pay. SC. Its recommendation
\ will than be taken to tho House. and the
| form in which they are agreed to will
form the basis OF the later appropria-
| tions by the new committee.
The bill fixed the salaries of the Di.
rector of the Budget and the Comptroller
General at $4,000 annually, with ons
assistant each at $500. The budget II
| to be submitted on the first day OF each
regular session after December 81, 1919
| The bill outlines the work OF the bulge,
COMMITTEES as follows:
''The bureau shall also make a care.
| full investigation OF all provisions of Law
] dealing In any way with the preparation
| and transmission TO Congress OF financia
data of any character in order to de
| termine what changes should be mad,
In such provisions Of law. to the end thai
all requirements in respect to the 70
| porting TO Congress OF financial data
Oo~tMveS on Eighth Paos