Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-30
SEE RELIEF SOON
FROM TAXBURDENS
Congressman Say Heavy
Governmental Expenses May
Continue Two Years.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

Congressman, looking the facts
hope of reducing materially govern.
mental expenses and lowering taxa
ton in the next fiscal year, or even
the year after. They can cut OF q Few
hundred departmental clerks. but the
saving accomplished would be a mere
drop in the bucket. they say.
The only hope of retrenchment
would be in the reduction of appro-
priations for the military and naval
establishment, and that can be effect
ed only by international agreement
among all the great powers to do like
wise.
AS such an understanding is en-
tirely probiematicaI. not to say un-
likely. the next best thing which the
legislators propose is this: To prac-
tice economy as far as possible in
governmental affairs and preach
economy and increased production to
the people.
Economy and Production.
On Capitol Hill they say that we
plain people might as well make up
our minds to realization that we are
in for long spell of heavy taxation
to producing as much as possible
earning all that unremitting endeayor
can bring in, and pay the taxes with
out complaining until better times
come. Incidentally, if one cares to ex-
ercise economy and can earn enough
over and above living expenses and
taxes 10 save a little. all the better
but the taxes must be paid anyhow
these statesmen say, and there is nc
immediate relief in sight
That is cold and uncomforting talk,
but the men on the Hill who ar
charged with responsibility and are
cognizant of the facts say that tn.
public will have to face the music
There are certain fixed charges which
must be met, and their total is ap-
palling.
Current appropriations.
The current appropriations. for the
fiscal year 1921. which are not likely
to be undercut, carry such sums as
these: For care and maintenance of
soldiers of the world war, S293, ,000,-
900; for pensions on account of mill
tary service prior to the war of 1914.
s279. 100000; interest on the public
debt, twenty millions less than a bill
lion; sinking fund for amortization of
the public debt, s260.s0o.OOo: for the
military and naval establishments.
$S55. ,006.
England and Fra:ce are building
navies. and while Japan is increasing
her naval building program. the pub
lie sentiment of the United States will
rot tolerate suspending the naval pro-
gram upoE which this nation en-
barked in 1915. For one thing, the
people are proud of their Navy as
their most precious asset Of national
defense. For another. the experience
of the world is not forgotten. when
Great Britain'S navy, I'M the last an
alysis. prevented the changing of the
worlds map.
If President Harding. when he as
sumes Office. can induce the great
powers, including Japan. to take a
few years holiday in building navies
and equipping armies, some material
progress can be made toward reduc-
ing governmental expense and conse-
quent lowering of taxes That, OF
course, was urged as one object OF
the league of nations. The purpose
could still be accomplished without
the league. many public men insist.
But will it be? The leading states
men who have expressed opinion upon
the subject doubt that it will be done
in time to relieve the world of the
present burden of taxation
There is no existing royal road to
reduced taxation, the statesmen point
out The objective will have to be
attained by long and weary stages.
an uphill journey all the way. And
the foundation of relief the econo-
mists declare, rests primarily with the
in the exercise of economy
and increased production.