The Washington times., 1920-07-27
Congratulations to Secretary
Houston
1t Is Pleasure for Change, to Learn that the Coun
trys Debt Is Going DOWN.

In financial matters big and little national and indivd
usl just one thing counts CUTTING DOWN WHAT YOU
OWE,
Every man. woman and child in the United States
today twenty five dollars less than last year.
In other words Secretary Houston announces that the
management of the National treasury reduced the
of the national debt by two thousand five hundred
millions of dollars. The country two and half bill
lions than it did little while ago. And each Of the
hundred millions of people in the United States is respon
sbe for the debt of the nation it saving of twenty
five dollars for every one of u.s.
More important than cutting down the debt two and
half billions is the fact announced by Secretary Houston
that the country is living INSIDE OF ITS INCOME,
thing that every wise does, in times such these
and about which the richest nation in the world
afford to be Indifferent.
The country indebted to Mr. Houston for his financial
management and for the fact, well known in Washington
that he does everything that his office gives him to
do in fighting against further debt and in paying off debts
owing
Unfortunately, when it to extravaganza sug-
gsted and approved by Congress- the Secre
tary of the Treasury helpless He must pay whether it
be millions billions and he must borrow as best he if
he hasn't the money to pay.
WOULD 1T NOT BE GOOD IDEA TO GIVE THE
SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY SOME KIND OF
VETO POWER IN REGARD TO NATIONAL ExPENDI
TUREs?
This need not taking from the President the power
to veto acts of Congress and it need setting
Secretary of the Treasury above Congress in power.
In every well managed business there is treasurer,
financial man., always consulted to what the firm
AFFORD.
Others perhaps and control the business and have
the to do they please But they would consider
themselves foolish business if they acted without
sung the in charge Of the money and disregarded
his advice
Mr. Cox has announced that if elected he will call the
Vice President into the Cabinet and let him 'lsten n'
although he won't have any regular job.
It might be better idea increase the power and i'm
portance of the Secretary of the Treasury giving to
who shows Mr. Houstons interest and efficiency in the
public finances the influence that should be possessed by
that must PAY THE BILLS after others have incurred
the Indebtedness.
This Government is spending in year about seven
billions of dollars and getting very little in for it,
Socalled bankrupt nations in Europe building rail
roads and canals owned by the people TODAY while this
country content to provide money be spent necenty
by private owners of railroads that cannot supply ranspor
taton even for coal and other absolute necessities
The United States ought to be engaged in really
important public work spending its millions increase the
wealth and of the nation to cut down deserts
with irrigation, dry up swamps with dtchng and other
wise making better farm of the United States.
Wouldn't it be good idea to give the Secretary of
the treasury utmost power in regard to financial matters
and create Secretary of Engineering and National Con-
structon with power to spend for the public good
sums as the Treasury might afford?
Nothing could be pitiful and pathetic than this
nation running along with budget careless its
financial planning than the of bootback stand
one branch OF appropang money another off,
ca Of in the Treasury told simply to go out
and get it, with power to limit extravaganza.
Such as Secretary Houston anxious and appar
emily able to manage finances big scale should have
least the authority that usually with position of that
kind He should have some kind of financial veto that
would require at least few weeks of reconsideration and
planning before it could be overridden ALI of which is
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