The Cordova daily times., 1919-06-23
NATIONAL ECONOMY


 To ascribe to the government an al most limitless power to spend is an all too prevalent habit. Few outside of those who pay federal and state taxes keep in mind the pertinent fact that what the government spends it must also collect from it's citizens. When John Smith buys goods and the bills are presented he naturally ex- poets pay for them, and he knows that, if he does not, a collector will come after the money due, or through process of law persistent attempt will be made to enforce payment.
 Individually the bills of the nation are not presented to all of the Smiths, and the Joneses, and the Browns and others who make up our citizenry. The government acts as our agent, and in that capacity determines what it shall buy for us, makes payment for us, and then turns around to us and collects from us the money with which to make payments. As an agent, the government, or, rather, it's employees, must be paid for their services. What the taxpayer gets from this agent Is therefor what he has paid to the gov ernment less what it has cost to main tain the agency. As with. any other agency the greater the amount of business. the greater the sum which is spent for the maintenance of the agency and as payments for it's em- ployes' services.
 During the war we were importuned to exercise thrift and to economize to the limit. Most of us in one way or another did so. Some of us un- doubtedly experienced questioning way back in our minds as to whether the thrift lectures might well have been turned upon the government it. self, but during the course of the war little direct criticism was made. There was a general feeling that nothing should be permitted to interfere with the speedy termination of the war in a satisfactory manner. We acquired the habit of accepting the judgment of the government in determining the purpose for which the money of the taxpayer should be spent, and the amount as we'll Of course, we ex- pected that the men whom we sent to congress would keep in their minds the fact that they were spending our money as we'll as some of their own, and that they would use due caution in keeping expenses down.
 Curiously enough, there does not seem to be any other effort now than the invention of new methods of spending not less but more money It is an opportune time for the public to turn to and give few thrift lec- lures to congress itself. In fact, if thrift lectures make any impression at all, it might be well worth while to provide lot of them for congress.
 We also believe that thorough course of thrift lectures should be given in every governmental depart ment. We believe in the budget sys- tenn, and as part of that system the strict limitation of each governmental deparament to definite number of activities. Departments have way of spreading out and still further spreading out. We seriously question the necessity of this expansion, all though not in all instances, for account must be taken of the growth of the country. 4. $ .ss
 Senator Shoot has sounded warn ing note that the governments ex- penditures are far outrunning its in come. He declared that . beginning toward economy must be made some where. Pointing out that the expendi- lures during the next year will amount to twelve billion dollars. of which only four to i've billion can be raised by taxation, he said: With such situa- ton confronting this country 1t would be suicidal for the government to continue to spend money n 1t has been during the last two years. Con gress must reduce appropriations all along the line" The senator further expressed the view that his colleagues were fully aware of the situation and