, 1921-05-12
TEAM WORK BETWEEN THE
EXECUTIVE AND THE
LEGISLATIVE

Z! The White House has issued the
following:
Adopting a suggestion by Senator
Warren, chairman of h Senate APP
preparations Committee, the Presi-
dent has sent to all heads OF Govern
ment departments a letter urging
that hereafter Government expendi-
lures be kept within the limits OF the
appropriations, except in cases Of
emergency. so that deficiency appro-
priations may be avoided. The mat
ter was called to h attention OF the
President by the following letter
from Senator Warren:
April 2s. 1929
Dear Mr.. President:
desire to call your attention to
a matter which to me seems OF great
importance. namely. the manner OF
submission to Congress Of deficiency
estimates by the various departments
and Government establishments.
There have been many abuses
along this line in the past and now
after only IA days OF this session.
deficiency amounting to $2l5.s9l.-
288.62. contained In SO different
House documents, have been submit
ted to Congress Cor It's consideration.
and more are coming.
There Is no question about esti-
mates for strictly legal deficiencies
fsubmitted in accordance with the
antidefciency provisions OF law; but
not all Of these sums are OF this
character. notice that some are
for new work entirely and have no
place whatsoever on deficiency bills.
The items appearing to be for the
fiscal year 1922, which does not be-
, gin until July /, 1921. amount to
l$136,789, 1894. They should not
come before US as deficiencies for the
year 1921.
am a believer in economy in ma
tional expenditures, in which belief
feel sure you sympathize. The n
thing leading most directly to de-
sired results in economy is team
work between the legislative and
Iexecutive branches OF the govern
ment. .
1t would seem that heads Of de-
partments and Government estab-
Ilishments and officers of the Govern
ment charged with the responsibility
OF submission Of estimates should be
fheld to a strict accountability. Now
that the war Is over, there seems to
be little excuse for the various de-
partments and establishments moi
conducting their expenditures more
nearly within their appropriations.
I am calling this matter to youl
| attention because l realize that yor
: are anxious to hold the appropria
| lions down to the lowest amount!
| consistent with good administration
Very respectfully yours.
G F.. f. WARREN, Chairman
I INoJ1ou;po tho racaiDt ~ the fore
e going the President sent to eac'
member OF the Cabinet the follow
s ling Identical letter:
a April 80. 1921.
& My dear Mr.. Secretary:
Al am in receipt OF a letter froi
lChairman Warren, of the Senat
s. Committee on Appropriations. cal
IS ing my attention to the fact tn;
IS estimates now before the Congre!
l. call for approximately $4,000, 90
l. Of deficiency appropriations, an
If that the estimated deficiencies wi
IS run very much beyond that sum.
Ie do not know of my more DANCE
d Gus tendency in the administratio
s of governmental departments, and
" am very sure that we cannot fix ou1
selves firmly on a basis OF cOnom
e until the departments are %conducte
within the provisions made by Cor
gress.
o wish you would call this matte
to the attention of the various burea
chiefs so that a like situation Wi
I not be reported in the future.
:, Sincerely yours,