The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-04-10
NATIONAL INEFFIcIENcY.

The Springfield Republican II
printing a series of syndicated ar
ticles from Washington CORE
spondent discussing the topic. Of an
efficient Financial Program Needed
The articles are not devoted exclu-
sively to the consideration of a pro-
posed budget system, though they
bear upon that incidentally. One
phase of the disclosure is the
apparent fact that national expendi-
lures have almost invariably taken on
a big boost Immediately following a
war. 1t is also shown that these
increases have always been more
than sufficient to account for normal
growth and interest on war debts.
Following the Civil war, national
expenditures were increased several
hundred per cent, following the
Spanish American war the expan-
sion was considerable, but not so
great proportionately, while the
standard following the recent war
with Germany, while not yet def
nitely settled upon, will admittedly
be a high one. Striking an average
between department estimates and
those made by Leader Mondell, of the
house, 1t is shown that the total
probable appropriations will more
than double those of 1915 with in
terest on the war debt and 100000
900 for natural growth added to the
1915 bill for good count.
A., inta~aati-. &aa4,.,1 % 49,
respondents articles under present
consideration. however. is the claim
made by congressional leaders that
extravaganza Ia due to the voracious
demands Of the departments rather
than to the wastefulness of congress.
That was the contention of former
Chairman Fitzgerald, of the appro-
priations committee. which is still
insisted upon by Senator Smoot and
Congressman Kitchin. The latter de-
clares that he has never known a
president of the three he has served
under. to veto an appropriation bill
because It carried too much. He also
declares that every one of the three
asked for more than congress was
willing to allow.
Mr. Kitchin Is therefore inclined
to think we need budget system
for administrations to keep them
from demanding so much. In this
connection, he cites the alleged fact
that there is no man in the govern
ment charged with the duty Of in
vestigating the reasonableness or
necessity of appropriations sought
by various bureaus. Congress has
insufficient time adequately to con-
slider the numerous items. hence
must, in large measure, content itself
with horizontal cuts or with letting
such items pass. It is readily seen
that neither of these alternatives is
satisfactory. There unquestionably
ought to be a more careful audit
somewhere.
AS illustrating the big jump in de-
partmental budgets, 1t is pointed out
that the state department Is asking
for $12,920,600.91 as against $6,444.-
59411 for 1916. The department of
agriculture was given $2S.6S1,5 40.33
for 1916. It now wants $72,56S,102.
The department Of commerce wants
It's allowance increased 900 per cent.
and the department of labor almost
as much. The general trend In the
cost Of government is to mount up
ward rapidly. As Is intimated
above, there is a disposition to pass
the buck back and forth between
congress and the executive depart
ments. In the meantime, however,
the klting process goes on.