Evening star., 1921-09-07

Inc nope Is eNpTeSSeu Dy eSiSN
Harding, in letter reviewing the
achievements of the republican ad-
ministration, that Congress before the
end of the extraordinary session Will
enact, in addition to tariff and tax
legislation, the foreign debt funding
and the railroad deft funding bill. as
we'll as other important measures.
The letter, addressed to Senator
Mccormick of Illinois. was made pub
lie last night and it is understood
will be used in the campaign in New
Mexico, where Senator, Bursum. ap-
pointed to fill the unexpired term OF
Secretary of the Interior FAN, IS a
candidate for election. 1t is also con-
sidered by republican leaders as a
reply to recent attacks by democratic
leaders on the record OF the repuDn-
can party in Congress.
We have made much progress to-
ward retrenchment and greatly IN
creased efficiency" the President as
serts in reviewing the achievements
of Congress. Il cannot but account
it monumental accomplishment
which has marked the work OF the
extraordinary session down to the
time of its recess In discussing the
problems confronting the administra-
ton, he says that surveying the sit
uation as a whole, it is plain that we
are working our way out of welter
of waste and prodigal spending at
most impressive rate"
The text of the Presidents letter
to Senator Mccormick follows:
Thank you for your letter of con.
graduation on the accomplishment OF
the administration down to date. You
have been good enough to speak
kindly of the work which the eXecu-
tive departments have accomplished
as well as of that which has Deen
done by the Congress. For mysel1,
feel disposed to emphasize What seem
to me the remarkable achievements OF
the extraordinary session OF the Con-
gress.
'In view of the fact that during the
war practically no consideration was
given to preparation for the new con
ditions, which would come with the
return of peace, and that in the two
years after the armistice there was
hardly any more administrative at
tention to thse problems, l cannot
but account it a monumental accom-
plishment, which has marked the
work of the extraordinary session
down to the time of it's recess. For
two years before the inauguration OF
the present administration repuD-
1ican Congress patiently ana assn
uously labored to reduce eXpendi-
tures These efforts, despite that the
administration was not at tnat time
in political accord with the Congress.
produced results which we can sum-
marize in the statement that the ap,
propriations for the current nscai HH
wear will aggregate about S4,35O,0 0O0,-
900, and that this is
"Three-quarters of billion less than
the expenditures for the previous MS
cal year.
Saving Is Cited.
"a billion and a half less than the
last administration asked Of Con-
gresS.
"Three billions less than were ap-
propriated for the second preceding
fiscal year.
SThe labors of the republican ma
jority to lay foundation for eco
nomic reconstruction and to reduce
taxation deserve the utmost appre-
citation of the country. The habit OF
vast expenditures without proper
consideration for results is the in
eyitable fruit of war. Our govern
ment. for example. expended between
$4,000, 100000 and $4,000, 100000 for
the manufacture of aircraft, artillery
and artillery ammunition.
ITO show for this expenditure. 1t
has been officially testified that less
than 200 American made airplanes or
200 American made cannon ever
went into action on the fighting front
of the war. while not more than L
per cent of the ammunition expend-
ed by American artillery was. accord
ing to the same testimony, of Ameri-
can manufacture.
Approximately ss50o,OO0,O0O have
been poured out under the direction
of the Shipping Board. Yet 1 have
from the War Department the curious
bit of information that only one ves-
sci built by the shipping Board ever
carried any American troops to fight
in Europe. This was cargo boat.
the Liberty, which. according to the
War Department records, in october,
1917. carried approximately fifty SOL
dierS to Europe These were the only
soldiers. according to the record, that
were transported to Europe before
the armistice in a vessel built by the
Shipping Board.
Railroad Losses Shown.
According to. the most conservative
estimate which has come to me. the
railroad administration has cost the
government between $3.50. 600, 900
and $500, 900 900, and the end is not
yet.
such is the summary of some of the
eXtravaganceS incident to war. 1t is
gratifying to be able to say, there
fore. that probably no other govern
ment in the world has during SINH
lar period so drastically reduced ex-
penditureS as has the government OF
the United States during the past TWO
years on the insiStence of the repuD-
lican Congress. Moreover. l am happy
to assure you that the admlnlstratlVe
departmentS are now in full SYM
patf.y with the program of rigorous
and unremitting economy, through
which I believe, We VIII be aDle uui
ing the next year to cover pack lnto
the Treasury so large sum thai the
aggregate of taxation may be reduced
c0ErIaT NOTTcES