The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-02-06
TWO BILLION SAVING
URGED BY McCUMBER
Republican Senator Gives Figures to
Show it Can be Done by Saving

Show it Can be Done by Saving
Washington, January 81, 1920
Asserting that with proper economy
in expenditures recommended by the
Wilson Administration at least $2,-
250,000,000 could be saved the Gov
ernment in one year, Senator Porter
j. McCumber, of North Dakota, rank
ing member of the Senate Finance
Committee, is urging upon Congress
that this be done. He says:
Our experience in operating our rail
ways under Government ownership
ought to be sufficient to force the eli
mination of that entire amount. The
Shipping Board should be closed as
quickly as the Government can close
it. We can easily save out of this item
for independent Offices $500,000,000
and still leave million more than our
1915 appropriation. We next examine
the War Department. The appropria-
tions for 1915 were 55,525, 900. For
1921, period that will end nearly
three years after the termination of
the war, we call for 81, ,20S, ,901 900, an
increase of $1,053,376,0 900. AS this
does not include any increase in the
salaries of officers, to say the very
least we ought to cut this down about
$700, 100000.
A large part of this estimate is for
Notifications, military posts, and so
forth, $139, 100000 These should be
cut out. They should not be thought
of at this time. We have number of
vacant military posts. We have all
the buildings and structures erected |
in this country during the war which |
are vacant and rotting today and can
be used for posts.
There is. not a country in Europe !
today that could make war on US, and
there will not be one that can conduct
a war for SO years.
We next examine the Navy Depart
ment. With every nation in Europe |
practically bankrupt, the necessity Of
the hour does not demand the vast in
crease in battleships asked for. We
do not need to expend as much as we
in 1915, because the posi-
bility Of another war is far more re-
mote than it was in 1915.
In 1915 we expended for our Navy
$147,294, 900; we ask for
this coming year $5SO,674,O0O; we
can easily save right here another
S4OO, 100000.
Our present appropriation bill calls
for $75, 100000 to be expended in good
roads by the Government. That ought
to be eliminated until we can afford to
pay for this luxury.
There was appropriated for public
works under the War Department last
year $54,000,0O0; this year the esti-
mate is $194,O0O,00O. If we hold to
asst years appropriation, we can save
S14O,O 100000 right here.
The War Department asks for $780,
100000 for vocational training of SOL
liers, as against $2,0O0,0OO last year.
The Vocational Educational. Bureau
asks for $21 ,6OO, 900, for rehabilitation
'or soldiers injured during the war.
Much of the expense incurred for
slight injuries in sending doctors and
awyers and others to college might,
n my opinion, be saved.
Other minor items that could be
dispensed with are:
public buildings .................$10, 900, 900
Rivers and harbors 10000, 900
public works ....................... 81 ,OO0,O00
Torpedo boats ...................... 23,O0O,OO0
Armor for vessels ..... 100000
From the best information can get
We can dispense with about $4,000
Jerks in our departments, with saw
ng of $60,000,00Q