Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-05
BUDGET SYSTEM
4 STRONGLY URGED
Republican Congress Will
Be Asked to Adopt 1t in
Appropriations
BACKED BY ]. r. MANN
Floor Leader Argues Need of
Replacing Slipshod Plan
With Scientific Method
BACKED BY ]. r. MANN

Washington, Feb. 5.-The adoption of
the budget system of making appropria-
tons for the support of the government
In place of the present complex. slip
shod and unscientific way of providing
funds through a number of committees
win be one of the first aims of the Re-
publicans when they gain control of the
senate and House In the next Congress-
An outline of the plan upon which
the Republicans will probably concen-
trate their efforts is given In joint
resolution introduced in the House yes
terday by Republican Floor Leader
James r. Mann. he will, with the as
sistance of the majority OF the Repub-
licans. attempt to have the plan adopted
al this session. He has little expecta-
ton of being able to put the plan
through this House. however. but it will
be brought prominently to the attention
OF Congress next session.
The budget system. it is held by lead
ing members Of Congress and heads of
the Federal departments. will effect
saving Of many million dollars annually
now uselessly spent through duplication
Of work and performance OF various un-
necessary tasks by several departments.
1t has been advocated by Congressional
leaders for many years. and although
the idea meets with quite general APP
proval, it has been impossible hereto
fore to obtain an agreement upon any
particular plan for carrying It out.
Promises to Save Millions
Republican Leader Mann considers Il
the most important matter before Con-
gress from a purely financial point of
view, asserting 1t will save many million
Collars annually tight from the start.
The Mann resolution calls for the
drawing up of budget system by a
joint commission Of twelve Senators and
Congressman, six to be appointed by the
President of the Senate and six by the
Speaker of the House, from the MEM
bership Of each body. The commission
10 to inquire into methods, both of form
I and substance, of making appropriations
and estimates and any necessary kindred
subjects, including the budget system
and correlation of appropriating and ex-
pending agencies and auditing Of ex-
penditures.
This commission. it is provided, shall
have power to subpoena witnesses, send
for persons and papers. employ clerks
and stenographers and demand assist
ance from the executive departments An
appropriation Of 800, 900 Is to be allowed
the commission. which is required to re-
port to the Senate and House as soon
as practicable the form of budget sys-
TEN It finds most desirable.
Scientific Appropriation
-t-rhe formation of a commission such
jAs Is provided In my joint resolution
win furnish scientific method of get
ting at a scientific subject and will solve
the problem OF the best and most eco
nomic way Of appropriating for support
OF the government" said Mr.. Mann, in
discussing his resolution with the EVEN
ING PUBLIC LEDGER correspondent
TO change from the present plan OF
appropriating through number of COM
mittees and concentrating it in one ap-
preparation committee, as advocated by
some members. would not meet the situ-
alton. We must have new and i'm
proved way of having the departments
submit to Congress their estimates Of
money needed to maintain them for the
y next year and an improved way OF deal
ing with the estimates after being made.
to amount to several billion dollars a
year, exclusive OF many million dollars
interest on bonds. 1t Is absolutely essen
tial that We try to find the best, and l
might say the most scientific method of
Z mixing appropriations, which would un'
doubtedly save large sums of money"
Fitzgerald Favored Budget
CONGRESSMAN John J. Fitzgerald. OF
New York, who resigned from Congress
two years ago after serving about twen-
ty years on the Appropriations Commit
tee, the last six years as its chairman.
made the adoption of a budget system
Of appropriating the subject OF his fare
wei. address 10 the House.
He urged upon his colleagues the
adoption Of a system that would strip
all power and importance, so far as
zppropriating goes, from the military
COMMITTEES, naval committee. public
buildings and grounds committee, river
ana harbors committee, committee on
agriculture, good roads committee. and
would take the appropriating powers
from the foreign affairs committee and
the postoffice committee.
In that farewell address Congressman
fitzgerald warned Congress that II
would be disastrous to the nations
finances IL. during the war, appropria-
tions were not concentrated In one com
mittee.
At each session of Congress for the
last ten years complaints OF extrava-
rance, waste and inefficiency In making
appropriations have been voiced. anc
the establishment Of a scientific national
budget system. In which all the gov
ernment expenditure for the year will b,
included, based on their relative impor,
4 lance, has been urged.
Backed by Taft and Wilson
Mr. Taft urged Congress to adopt the
BUDGET system about nine years ago
whom he was President. but Congress,
did nothing
President Wilson favors the budget
plan. He indorsed II in a letter e
Senator Ben Tillman in 1917. and In De-
!. cember of the same year advocated Il
in his annual message TO Congress.
K Congress seems not altogether opposed
10 the budget system II the proper kind
can be worked out, and II Is probable
fhat an efficient plan that will meet will
the approval OF the majority win b.
worked out and put In operation In tn,
next Congress.
ROB HANOVER POSTOEETCE