The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1920-12-23
CONGRESS MUST CUT DOWN THE
APPROPRIATIONS.

NTE hOFnlA lONO.
A few leaders in both the senate
and house have taken a strong posi-
ton in favor of cutting down appro-
priations to the minimum as direct
and practical means of reducing the
burden of taxation, but as far as can
be determined the majority seems to
have failed to grasp the sentiment of
the people on this question and are
still disposed to go ahead with great
~ increased appropriations for the
army navy highway construction,
river and harbor improvements. pub
lie buildings. reclamation and what
not Those senators and congress-
men who are disposed to continue
this program of extravaganza should
in some manner be made to hear from
the people on that subject In pri-
waite business. i'm municipal. county
and state governments. retrenchment
is the watchword All unnecessary
expenditures are being cut out and
public improvements are being post
poned as far as possible in harmony
with sane and conservative business
administration The people expect
congress to he guided by the same
rules The platform upon which the
republicans were restored to control
of the government has this explicit
pledge:
we pledge ourselves to care
fully planned readmstment to
peace time basis and to a policy
Of rigid economy to the better CO.
ordination Of departmental activ-
tiles, to the elimination of unne-
cessary officials and employees.
and TO the raising of individual
efficiency"
Now let us see how we are pro- |
crossing toward "readiustment to a
peace-time basis" The appropria-
ton for the army in 1914 was s9s.-
)7t6Ol; for 1920 the appropriation
was sl19SSL9S6. For the coming
YEAR 1921. congress is asked to APP
oropriate for the army SS1A7Sz6n
For the navy in 1914 congress APP
'ropriated s14OS4OOOO; for 1920 the
was s4SZ4O2.564. For
he coming year 1921 congress is
sked to appropriate s692. 1897
or course these requests ror vast a
nd greatly increased appropriations
'r 1921 come from the democratic e
ectaries Of the war and the navy. p
nd it is hardly conceivable that re- n
ublican congress. particularly in view y
the specific pledge quoted above -
overning the next administration. il
in give them favorable considera- t,
on. The republican party and the N
'ople of the country are in favor of q
policy OF preparedness. but certain -.
the national safety is not jeopar- hi
zod by making sweeping reductions dt
the estimates for the army and ia
wy i'm view of the bankrupt and al
lpless condition of the nations of "a
e earth through the devastation Of ms
e world war Certainly there is no tn
mediate necessity for Strengthening ma
p first line of defense and our mill ~
~ establishment to the extent pro
sed in these recommendations. so
as the nations of the world are gel
icerned with the possible exception on
England and Japan. and if these his
b nations are regarded as a menace ter
our safety through their warlike Of
.rations. the resolution introduced Gel
senator Borah and now pending rec
aid probably relieve the situation. sio
would at least demonstrate whether der
re is any sincerity in the disarma- py
Mt talk of which we have heard so era
ch. The Borah resolution proposes iety
t the United States England and dow
an enter into an agreement uRder boa
oh naval construction programs pro
these governments will be reduced def