Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-01-09

FRIDAY EVENING. JAN. >, 1890.
NATIONAL BUDGET HISTORY.
Interest in national budgetary re-
form received its first impetus during
the administration of President Taft.
Believing that governmental expend-
itnres were increasing out Of all pro-
portion to actual needs, President
Taft obtained permission from con-
gress In 1910 to appoint a commits
sion on economy and efficiency. The
purpose of the. commission was to in
United States government and report
to the president on what steps could
be taken toward reducing the amount
of annual expenditures.
After three years of effort the
commission, of which DR.. Frederick
exhaustive >,report to the president.
and recommended that an executive
budget system be adopted by congress
20 avoid the many Implications Of de-
partmental effort that its investisa-
ton disclosed. President Taft was
confronted with a much changed
congress in 1913. however, and the
report of his commission, which was
approved by him and submitted to
congress, was not kindly received.
The president did succeed in focus
ing public attention upo the need
for economy in the administration Of
the nations fiscal affairs.
In the last presidential campaign,
both the platforms of the Republic
can and the Democratic parties con-
tanned planks pledging the ad option
OF ~affederal budget system Last July
the speaker Of the house appointed
q select committee on the budget to
which was referred for consideration
several bills and resolutions intro
duced in the lower chamber of con-
gress looking toward the adoption Of
a budget system. Representative
James ". Good of Iowa, chairman Of
the house committee on appropria-
tons, was named head of the select
committee. Hearings were begun on
September 22, concluded on October
4 and on October 8, Chairman Good
introduced his bill and reported the
result OF the select committees hear
ings. The bill was adopted on Octo-
Der p with only three votes recorded
against it.
The Good bin. although hailed as
the first mNe on the part of
to give the nation an executive budget
system, did not receive widespread
endorsement as an effective budget
measure. Its main provisions created
a bureau of h budget in the Office OF
the president, to which was trans
Tered all>of the present duties of the
secretary Of the treasury in collecting
q transmitting to congress the an
nual departmental estimates Of ex-
penditure, and an Independent audit
ing and accounting department, an
swerable solely to the fund-granting
body. congress. The bill, therefore,
did not attempt to Immediately set up
a budget system. but gave, the presi-
dent the machinery with which to
work out two. years hence a system
under which he would have not only
the authority to receive and col]ate
departmental estimates but the much
more needed power to revise or 70
duce and coordinate these estimates.
Cofnctdent with the introduction of
several budget bills and resolutions
IN h house, bills and resolutions of
intent were introduced in the
senate. A select COMMITTEES Of the
budget was likewise appointed in the
senate to which was referred all of
the bills and resolutions
Senator Medill Mccormick of Illinois
was named chairman OF the commit
tee.
During the first few days OF the
present session OF congress, Senator
Mccormick introduced a new budget
bill upon which the senate select
committee commenced its hearings
December IS. The HEARINGS were
interrupted on December IS by
pressing, legislation then being voted
Upon by the senate and were adj
journed until January ~.
The Mccormick bill differs radically
from the Good bill in that it would
dmnnediately set up a budget system
and give the secretary OF the treasury
full power to transmit to congress-,
through the president, the annual
executive budget, in which depart
mental estimates OF expenditure
would be presented BY him, revised
reduced AZ he sees TT; and bal
against available revAnuA The
Mccormick bill accordingly would
3place the bureau OF the budget IL the
once OF the secretary Of the treasury
and make him q trne finance minister
sby relieving him OF the treasury SUI
speTpision Of all activities -non-Rermane
. e actual conduct OF the nations
skfiiscaf Affairs.
ALL MONEY.
10y American coins rarely if ever
~ VI {N FH .gH.SA.sE