The Cordova daily times., 1921-07-30


 From 1914 Europe mobilized all of her powers for destruction. From 1917 our own country was put to the seyerest test in the worlds most titanic struggle. To win the war all sound economy and fundamental principles of government were aban- doned. Over night our national debt was raised from less than a billion so over twenty-five billion dollars, ike annual interest on which amounts to one and a half times the total expenses of the government in 1918. To meet this enormous outlay we were compelled to resort to a bur densome system of taxation. Our people readily accepted it to win the war Our duty now is to relieve this burden as soon as it can be done.
 We are told by the treasury off cials that the claims upon the treas ury for some time to come will amount to at least four billion dol lars annually The claims for the year just closing will amount to more than five and half billion. Of this vast sum 6721 per cent is to care for war obligations created for the World war. Twenty-Five and two hundreds per cent is for the upkeep of the present army and navy. That leaves less than eight per cent for all other activities primary govern ment functions. legislative, executive and judicial,--public work, rese2rch and educational work. Some of tho 67.21 per cent will continue for yen~s, such as the interest on the pub lie debt, and the care for the dis abed soldiers and the dependents of the dead Many other items such as obligations to the railroads, sup plies for the shipping board, etc, will soon be discontinued.
 
 Strenuous efforts are put forth to reduce the 25.02 per cent to the low est point for our safety. The coun- try will not permit the building up of a large standing army It will also keep the navy within bounds. While our government will not adopt the suicidal policy of disarmament alcne, it will take steps to reach if possible an agreement among the nations for such policy of all na- tions.
 In the meantime congress has taken steps to insure against un- necessary public expenditure. The president has passed along the word to all heads of departments and bu- reau chiefs that economy is the order of the hour. Warning has been sounded by congress against the creation of unauthorized deficiencies. which will be summarily dealt with under the law. Every appropria- tion is ordered carved to the bone.
 It is the purpose to avoid the enactment of any legislation entail ing new expenditure unless of an emergency character and demanding immediate action, until some of the burdents are lifted. The war agen cies created for the purpose of win- ming the war are ordered dismantled as soon as possible. The government pay roll Is likewise ordered reduced to the lowest point consistent with efficiency. A reorganization of gov ernment bureaus to avoid duplication | and waste is also ordered, a com | mittee already being at work on this problem.
 In spite of all these efforts, unex- pected war claims upon the treasury | are coming iQ so rapidly that it makes it impossible to reduce the yearly outlay as our people so con- fidently expect it to be done. Wheth- | CT this riot of expenditure, the re- suit of obligations during the war, was necessary or not does not now help us.
 The evils of war live after It IS ended and the coming generation will not see the end of this orgy Of war extravaganza. the liquidation Of which is now our burdensome duty | To avoid governmental extravaganza in the future congress has passed and the president has signed na' tional budget system by which the government is to be conducted upon a business basis from now on. This system which has just become a law will take effect on the 1st of