Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-10-25

congressman that there is a great
waste in appropriating public money
and unless halt is called the gov
eminent may even find it necessary to
launch another bond issue drive to
meet its obligations. Such a step is
very properly considered unwise. Con-
gress alone can prevent it by pruning
down expenditures to fit the pocketbook
OF this country.
What we need, and what congress
knows we need, is real budget law
with teeth in it. Here is a subject
matter on which neither Republican
nor Democrat is inclined to get astride
the partisan fence. Leaders in both
parties agree that our present system
is antiquated and full of loop holes.
The matter is considered of such i'm
portance that select budget commit
tee has been named in the house and
hearings are now being conducted be-
fore it.
The Chamber of Commerce of the
q
portant subject some little thought and
study. 1t has formulated plan which
appears sound in principle and, in face
of something better being presented,
congress can afford to adopt 1t. This
plan outlines the. following principles
First. That annually as soon after
the close of the fiscal year as is pos
sible, the President shall cause the
heads of all departments to submit to
him comparative statements showing
in detail their expenditures for the fis-
cal year just closed, appropriations for
the year in progress, estimates of ex-
penditures for needs for the year to
ensue. and other information as he
may require.
Second. Upon receipt of these state
ments, the President shall have pre-
pared by special committee organized
under his direction a budget which
shall show: (a) The condition of the
treasury as shown by current resources
and obligations at the end of the fiscal
year just closed and for a series of
years preceding. OBJ The revenues and
expenditures of the government during
each Of said years. (c) The fixed charges
and appropriations and estimated ex-
penditures during the year in progress;
and (d) The provisions which, in his
opinion, should be made for meeting
the revenue and expenditure require
ments Of the year to ensue.
Third. Immediately upon the assem-
bling of congress in regular session, the
President shall transmit to it the
budget, accompanied by such letter of
transmittal. explanations. analysis and
supporting statements as, in his opin-
ion. are desirable in order to get clear
ly before that body the nature of the
proposals contained in it, and the rea-
sons actuating him in their formula
tion. The President shall in like
manner cause the heads of all depart
ments and government establishments
to submit to him their statements of
supplementary or deficiency appropria-
lions needed by them to meet REQUIRE
ments Of their services during the year
In progress. These statements shall be
examined by the special committee and
the President shall submit them. with
such revision as he deems proper, to
congress as supplementary or efficiency
budgets for that year.
Fourth. The two houses of congress
shall amend their rules SO as to pro-
vide: (a) For a single committee in
each house to have jurisdiction over all
revenue and expenditure proposals,
cd For the submission of the budget
upon Its receipt to such committee.
(c) For the treatments of the budget
rs the basis for all revenue and ex-
penditure bills. (d) For the prepare
ton by such committee of a budget
bill or bills which shall follow the
scheme and classification of the budget
rs transmitted by the President.
(e) For the preparation of a report
which shall accompany said budget bill
or bills and which shall set forth clearly
all features or items in respect to
which such bill departs from the pro-
posals contained in the budget with the
reasons which have actuated the COM
mlttee In recommending such changes.
--------..-