Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-12-31
FEDERAL APPROPRIATION
BILLS.

preparation committee Hau DSSA Sat
more than fifty per cent, from S704,-
526, ,4s6 to $3.50, ,2o2, saving OF
S42O, is cheering as far as
it goes, though it does not go very
far in searching analysis, because
the reduction is only $52,237,5l4
when compared with the amount ap-
propriated last year and that is the
only really vital comparison to make.
1t still futher fades in its signifi-
canoe when it Is pointed out that
the postoffice bill, while involving
considerable cut from the esti-
mates, carries a sum Of SOS, ,53o,o21
over last years appropriations for
the same purposes. The two bills
taken together therefore represent
no decrease in government expendi-
lures over the amount spent last
year, but an increase of 1922, 5O7.
That is not quite so cheering. There
are fifteen appropriation bills in all
to be reported. These two, the civil
sundry bill and the postoffice bill.
are the first two to come out OF the
committee. Thirteen more are yet
to come and when they are all out
we will then have some idea Of
whether congress is really disposed
to enforce a program of economy or
not.
This business Of comparing the
amount asked for by the heads Of
the various departments with the
amounts appropriated is futile and
meaningless. The department heads
always ask for far more than they
expect on the principle that it they
ask lot they are likely to get more.
It is a bad system, to be sure, but
it has had long time vogue, not
only in federal government affairs,
but in state and local governments,
and even in private business and
social affairs. Not infrequently
trades unions act on this principle
in making wage demands, and en-
ployers do the same in adjusting diff
ferences with their employees.
The thing that really counts in
these figures is the reduction or in
crease Of the sums as compared with
the appropriations of last year.
Viewed in that light the sundry
civil bill is slightly encouraging. It
saves a little more than fifty mil
lion to the tax payers of the United
States in one department of gov
ernmental activity. Perhaps even
that statement is little premature
in the light Of past experience. This
experience tells us that it is more
likely to gain additional sums than
to lose weight in passing through the
house, and that further additions to
it are likely to be made in the senate
before it leaves that body. But as
it comes from the committee on ap-
preparations it represents cut
of fifty-two million dollars in
round figures as compared with
the sum authorized to be spent
by Republican congress last
year, and that is at least credit
able to the committee which pre-
sents it. But these savings are eaten
up and more too by the increase in
the postoffice bill. OF course, that
increase is explained as necessary.
All increases in money appropriated
for government expense are SO ex-
planned. No doubt those who ask
for more government money think
they should have it, and those that
vote it are convinced that it is neces-
sary. But if the public will keep
their eye on the appropriation bills
and compare them with the amount
appropriated last year for like pur-
pose they will soon gain fair idea
of what congress means to do about
reducing tax burdens. For bear in
mind the fact that in one way or
another the whole body polite,
which means in its analysis, you and
me, have to furnish the money con-
gress spends either directly or in
directly, and if they appropriate
more money this year than they did
last year we will have to pay more,
no matter how the money is raised
or who pays it in the first instance.
Excuses for increased government
money spending are easy to find.
In fact the citizens who have to pay
the increased taxes are often largely
to blame for the fact, because they
are quick to urge congress to appro-
pirate money for this or that pro-
iect or service in which they have
special interest. Often they bonn
bard congress with petitions to spend
4La r,,,hI:c r,orAv mora 1ihara11xy for