The Washington herald., 1920-06-06
ATTACK BY REED
KILLS SERIOUSLY
NEEDED" BUDGET
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bill deprived Congress of any of its
powers to make appropriations and
was told that 1t did not.
See Powers CurtaiIed.
Then there is no use in passing
this bill, he thundered. This bill
is not budget, for a budget is
something that definitely fixes the
amount of your income and your
expenditures. II what the Senator
from Utah has told me is correct
this bill provides for nothing but 4
recommendation. 1t is another ef-
fort to place in the hands of the
Executive powers that should be
relegated to Congress. For one l am
getting sick and tired of the con-
tlnual curtailing of the powers of
Congress
Does the Senator know that this
was indorsed by the platform
OF his party?" asked Senator
Kenyon.
Il don't know and I don't care"
Reed replied. and beside have
seen too many planks in political
platforms that were never meant to
De fulhlled when they were in
serted"
support was given Reeds opposi-
tlon by Senator William J. Harris.
OF Georgia. who was seeking an
opportunity to obtain a vote on his
resolution calling for publication OF
income tax returns. The Georgia
Senator charged that members of
the finance committee had acted in
bad faith In that they had prom
lsed him vote and then refused
the opportunity. He took the floor
when Senator Reed tired and began
reaolng from the pages OF one Of
the denciency bills. Persuasion and
enorts TO reach an agreement were
without avail and although the
harris resolution eventually passed
the moor was then given to Senator
Affect Pomerene, Of Ohio, for the
consideration of his campaign ex-
penditures amendment and adjourn
ment was reached before a budget
| vote was possible.
! Credit for the defeat of the hill
was placed upon the Senate Demo-
Gratis by Representative Frank w.
Mondell. House Republican floor
leader
puoSet system Is Need.
For years the country has de-
manded a more eusiness-like sys-
tenn OF estimating and appropriat-
ing" said Mr.. Mondeu.
Party platforms. the press and
enlightened public sentiment have
all voiced the demand for a budget
system. Such system, carefully
considered and vi drawn, was
passed and went 10 the President.
/ Ihe essential part Of budget sys-
tenn Is the indepe ndent audit of the
expenditure of public money. Only
through an audit entilely independ-
ent ol the executive departments
I can we hope for that scrutiny of
puoltc expenditure which will result
In efficiency and economy.
With the view of ACCOMPLISHING
that result, the budget bill provided
that the two officials at the head Of
| the independent audit could be re-
moved only for cause and by con-
current resolution OF the Congress
! or by impeachment.
Vetoed rs Unconstitutional.
Ihe President vetoed this meas
ure on the ground that the Presi-
nents preroPatives were improperIy
invaded by taking from him the au-
/ thorlty to remove these oficials. and
thus perhaps the most essential fea-
ture of the whole budget system
thst OF a thoroughly inderendcnt
audit OF expenditure-met defeat.
The attempt to override the
residents veto. though supported
ny a number of Democrats. failed
| through Democl attic opposition.
An attempt to meet the Presi.
dents wishes in an earnest effort
10 secure the legisls ton, even in An
imperfect form. has met defeat in
the closing hours of the session by
the action of Democratic Senators.
And thus for the moment this great
REFORM which tie Republican Con-
sress has tried to carry out is de-
leated, but the defeat is only tem-
porary.
Before the budget failed the
House of Rerresents tives reformed
lts rules so as to provide for Z sin
gle appropciating committee. This
Is the most remarkable action taken
oy legislative body in self-denial
with view of economy. efficiency
o