The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-08-07
Mammoth Saving in
Disarmament, Claim
Backers of Pdrley

beyond realization. Thirty millions OF
people perished by weapon, by gas,
disease. or hunger. to say nothing OF
other millions who were blinded or
MANNED; and Il has been estimated
that II an earthquake should swallow
up the whole United States II could
destroy no more wealth than was con!
sumed in that world conflagration.
Although the United States entered
the war somewhat later than the other
nations It's expenses were greater dur.
ing the comparatively short period OF
its participation than In all the pre-
ceding 1873 years OF our history. In
December, 1918, the month following
the signing of the armistice, our ex-
penditures were greater than for all
that period Of seventy-two' years be-
fore the CIVIL War. During the single
month Of December we expended each
day more money than i'm the first
eleven years of our nationhood.
The following figures cast interest
ing light upon the manner In which
expenditures for armament have in
creased in the United States: In 1850
the per capita expenditure was $1.77;
In 1850. $2.01; in 1870. $7.61; in 1880,
S5.2s: in 1890. $4.75; in 1900, $3.50; in
1910, 1880, and in 1919, $144.77.
EOucetlOn Figures Least.
In the fiscal year ending June 80,
1920. the appropriations for the ma,
tional Government aggregated $3.50.
$4,000. or this sum there was ex.
pended, for the War and Navy De.
partments, $1,424.1 3S.667, or 25 per
cent Of the entire amount; S3,S55, 900,
900, or 81 per cent. went for previous
wars, in the way OF pensions, etc
For primary functions Of government
$181 100000 was expended, or about
3.2 per cent Of the whole. For public
works of every description the Gov.
research and educational development
this nation lavished the sum Of $57,
O93 $50, or 1.001 per cent OF the whole
sum expended.
In other words, for the various
departments of research, for the in
culcation Of the principles of good
citizenship, for the Americanization
of foreign elements and for such
other educational work as the Gov
eminent supports wholly or in part
the United States appropriated l per
cent Of five and half billions OF
dollars, while for wars, past and
expected. nearly SO per cent.
Must Pay for Past Wars.
Many American statesmen assert
that IL the coming conference shall
prove as successful as It is reason
able to expect the proportions of
our future expenditures will be re-
versed; that for ordinary govern.
mental fupctiops for oond road,
public buildings, capacious harbors.
irrigation projects. reclamation OF
swamp lands. pensioning the aged,
educational work, scientific research,
and the like, we shall expend SO per
cent OF the whole, and for the ar
mament Of such a police force as
may be decided upon, Z per cent.
1t Is recognized that this objective
cannot be fully attained for many
years, however, for the wars OF the
past must first be settled for.
President Harding and Secretary
OF State Hughes are INDUCING in no
Utopian dreams as to What may be
accomplished, but are proceeding
along their task in thoroughly
practical and businesslike way They
know that complete disarmament Ii
not possible in the present day and
age, but they believe that IL the
great powers of the world get round
taUel and face the facts sauarely
they can come to some agreement
which will make possible a material
reduction in ornaments, thus en-
abling the various governments to
lift from the shoulders of the people
part OF the enormous burden OF
taxation which they now BEAR