Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-06-24
Friday, June 81, 1921.
TRYING TO EcoNoMizE

in having an economical admlnlstra-
ton of national affairs. 1t regards
this as one of the duties of Congress
and the administration. That is one
of the purposes for which these were
placed in the position which they oc-
cupy. Indeed at the present moment
economy is the slogan, the obligation
most Immediately urgent. But the
administration and Congress alone
may not fulfill the demand; the pub
lie must stand back of them, in
sistently but intelligently. II retrench-
ment limits the amount of bacon the
congressman secures for his consti-
tuents, instead of grumbling they
should applaud.
In considering the situation it must
be borne in mind that the cost of do
ing things, though slightly less than
what it was, is yet very far from
what it was seven years ago. Con-
gress is cutting the army below what
our most trusted advisers in such
matters think it should be. The navy
is demanding a big slice, but it is not
yet clear that wisdom would dictate
much retrenchment there. The Ship
ping Board we have with us, partly
because We can't let go If we would,
but more especially because COM
mon sense warns US that now is the
time in which to do something for
the upbuilding of our marine COM
merce, likewise with our four billion
dollar feet Then, too. the railroads
should be paid the money due them,
they need it and the country needs
that they shall have it. Besides the
machinery of government must be
kept going and properly oiled There
Is suspicion more are employed at
this than is absolutely needed and
this should be looked to by the men
we have sent to Washington. If,
however. some of those to be removed
come from our congressional district
and our congressman is timid about
doing his duty. are we going to insist
it is done?
1t is announced that for the fiscal
year beginning next July federal ex-
penditures should fall below three
and half billion-which is quite
large when one stops to think of it,
in pre-war terms. Don't forget we
are now paying for things which were
prescribed by the Democrats, pay
ment which this administration could
not help If it would. For the next
year 1t is estimated We must get four
billions in revenue, two and a half
billion from the internal revenue, a
half billion from the new tariff and a
half billion from the post office de-
partment. All of which somebody
must pay of course. whether at the
moment aware of the fact.
Quietly but effectively President
Harding has gone about the work of
securing retrenchment. He has served
notice that he will remove from the
service those employees of the gov
eminent found to be lobbying in OPP
position to these economical meas
ures. He, probably. will be compelled
to do this before he puts a stop to it.
None are more tenacious than the
holders of soft jobs under the Gov
eminent. If they were compelled to
report to work as early as Postmaster
General Hays arrives at his that
might help in getting rid OF the real
barnacles.
All this makes quite serious read
ing but there is one feature of it
which may later supply a diversion.
HELM Maria" Dawes has been
placed in charge of the blue pencil to
be applied to excessive demands from
department heads, bureaus and COM
missions seeking all the public funds
they can get. His is not a popular
job. but some incline to the opinion
that he will enjoy it, and the public
surely will unless some Of them get
their toes stepped on He is regard
ed as ono of the best fnanciers in
Chicago. he won a distinguished
service medal for his work in France
and then came home and told the
congressional committee that 1t was
acting like lot of pikers. or words TO
that effect. favored with unique bat
vigorous explosives. With the rest of
the folks we are waiting rather Inn
patiently until he may get his vocab-
ulaxy worling at this new job.
a. - ~AaA va~a