New-York tribune., 1920-01-13
w ants
Government to
Teach Thrift
Republican Presidential Pos
sibility Tells Bankers Its
Time u. S. Gave Its Citi-
zens Economy Example
Gets Cordial Reception
Union College Head Opposes
Country Acting as Nurse
to Swarm of Tiny Nations

Governor Frank o. Lowden of H.
ilnols, one Of the Republican Presi
Dental possibilities, declared last nigh,
at the twenty-second annual dinner o.
the Associated Banks of New York. a,
the Waldorf Astoria, that the govern
ment should set an example to the
citizen in frugality and thrift.
Walter E. Frew, the toastmaster. in
introducing the Governor Of Illinois
spoke of him as "beinR in the minds
of thousands for greater responsible.
lty." Governor Lowden was greeted
with cordial applause.
One trouble with the government
that had grown up in this country, he
said, was that it was "all spending
departments and no savings depart
"The expenses Of the government
have so increased and become 40 bur
densome," he said, "that they influence
every activity Of our national l;fe.
They have reached the point where pri-
vate initiative is discouraged, whore
Industrial progress is threatened and
our future prosperity menaced. Waste
and extravaganza mark all expendi-
lures, public and private. Economy is
despsed and forgotten thing.
Homely Economy Needed
There must BE return to homely,
old-fashioned virtues il we would avert
disaster. Where can we begin this re-
turn as effectively as with the govern
ment! The government should set an
example as an employer. Why shouldn't
it also set on example in thrift, in
economy, IN insisting on an honest
days work for an honest days pay?"
Duplication Of effort in the govern
ment, both national and state, could be
eliminated, Mr.. Lowden said, with an
increase in efficiency and decrease in
expenditures:
president Of Union College, who spoke
on present National Conditions" d.
elared that half the people in the world
scarcely knew to what nations they
belonged, while the concert Of powers
had become "a kind Of international
Jazz band" War-born democracy he
characterized as "only Bolsheviam
without it's whiskers."
In Illinois, he said, there were 125
independent boards when he went into
office, which tended naturally toward
and extravaganza. All Of
these, ne added, with the exception Of
[he Funlic Utilities Civil Service and
industrial commissions, were abolished
and their work distributed among nine
oodles-the departments Of Public Vel
tare, Public Health, Public Works and
Buildings. Trade and Commerce, Labor.
Mines and Minerals. Registration and
and Finance. Each depart-
ment is headed by director. who is
assisted by an advisory committee.
which serves without pay.
Budget System Success
The Director Of Finance, he ex-
planned, prepares budget of estimated
nditures and receipts to be sub
mitted to each regular session Of the
General Assembly, which meets once
in two years. In approving or disprov-
ing. vouchers he gathers information
which will enable him intelligently to
Judge what appropriations should Be.
The last budget thus submitted was
"rhe new system" Governor Iovd.n
said, has been liz operation now more
than two years and in results has sur
passed our expectations. We now have
at the seat OF government nine respon
sible heads of departments in daily
touch with the Governor, who, there
fore, can exercise proper supervision
over the affairs of the state; for eacl.
head OF the department, in turn, is j..
constant touch with the activities &C
that department. Extravaganza and in
competency are easily discovered and
1--WE have the new freedom, the new
democracy, the new diplomacy and the
new ORDER" said DR.. Richmond
Old Liberties Gone
But what do we find? We find that
under the new freedom the govern