Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-26
BRITISH DEMAND
BIG CUT
People Would Change Billion
Government Deficit to
Billion Surplus.

! Through new organization. the
Peoples Union for. Economy, a de-
Inland for economy in governmental
Expenditures is going up with re-
jnewed vigor in Great Britain. Accord
ling to advices received in this coun-
TRY from London, this organization,
(which has a central committee COM
posed of prominent and influential
linen. has already opened it's campaign.
A manifesto has been issued outlining
tits objects.
Matter Brought to Climax.
| The British chancellor of the ex-
lchequor, Austen Chamberlain. in his
budget speech last April expressed
the governments determination to
change the billion dollar deficit Of the
last fiscal year into billion dollar
Isurplus in the current fiscal year. He
asked for increased taxation. particu-
llarly in excess profits, while promis-
tpenditures to make this possible. The
increase in the excess profit duty was
unpopular with business. But it final
lily went through-an increase from
40 to 60 per cent. Its effect has been
to vitalize the demand for a reduction
lin government expenses.
In its manifesto the Peoples Union
flor Economy says:
1.-The necessity for drastic retrench-
lment in the public services is now
fully realized In 1913-1914 the total
Expenditure was 1907 .917,437 (about
year the gross expenditure of the
lcountry is estimated at f1,2S22740OO
l(approximately six billion dollars)
that is to say, more than six times as
Imuch as six years ago. This is a
formidable figure. If a sound national
q fn he
|enduring social reforms can be based
Expenditure must be calculated on the
financial capacity of the country,
Moreover. excessive capital expendi-
lture by the government tends to in
lcrease that high cost of living, which
Iple. p0' @ peo
Foreign Policy Too Costly.
The steps by which the necessary
saving can be brought about depend
! not only upon the more economical
! administration. but, to a greater ex-
tent, upon change in the policy OF
the government. This change should
commence forthwith if the budget for
1921 is to be brought within the
| financial resources of the country"
| In rotation, the manifesto then de-
! tails the unions position toward Brit
| 1sh foreign policies. control of indus
! tries. and toward new or recently
| created government ministries.
so far as our engagements honor
| duction Of our (foreign) responsible
| tiles" the manifesto declares. The
| union would refuse extension of Brit
! ish commitments for restoration of
order in Russia or in the near east.
| It cites the maintenance of $4,000 men
| in Mesopotamia at a cost, this year, of
$3.50, 100000 as a notable example of
undue increase in British obligations
Decontrol, or the REIMBURSEMENT Of
all business undertakings now under
government management which can
properly be carried on by private en-
| terprise," is advocated on the ground
that government control has been a
source of loss.
Would Drop Ministers.
The union would also dispense with
the ministry of munitions, ministry
of shipping, the proposed ministry of
mines and those activities of the min
istries of transport and food which
are not absolutely necessary.
In the matter OF all expenditures it
would have the nation ''cut its coat
according to the cloth"
An Illustration of the kind of spend
ing which the union criticises is fur
nished by the estimate for govern
ment stationery during 1890. Accord
ing to a report Of the select commit
Of which have been forwarded by the
Bankers Trust Company'sco correspond
ent, this stationery estimate amounts
to about $28, SOC. 600, compared to ap-
proximately $4,000. 600 in 1913.
Among the members Of the commit
the union were: Lord Askwith. for
mer chief industrial commissioner
Lord Chalmers, Sir Richard Cooper,
NJ. p, and Lord Cowdray.