The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-11
Analysis of GoUernment
 Budget Before Congress

affairs Is in no sense an ordinary peace time item of expense. 1 t2)'A proposed reduction in the cost of maintaining the army, from i $3S9,091,406 this year to $369, ,902,107 next year, decrease of about $19,- 100000
 (3) A proposed reduction in the cost of maintaining the navy, to l s421 754, 900 from s47S,S50,000, a de- crease of about $57,0O0,O00.
 The total decrease in the national cost of three war agencies, two of them conducted as insurange against future wars and one incidental to closing the accounts of the last war, aggregates S4O3.964,534. Deducted from the ttoal decrease of $447,702,30 309 set forth in the budget, the result is a decrease in the cost of conducting the multitudinous peace time activ- ities of the government of only S43, 739,f05 or about 1 l2 per cent of the total.
 Some SizabIe Increases
 Some of the permanent branches of the government show sizable in creases in the proposed cost of con- ducting their affairs next year, some estimate the cost at about the same i as this year and a few show slight decreases. Congress, for instance, in the conduct of it's affairs, the pay ment of salaries mileage, printing. etc, estimates it's cost to the nation next year at $16, 6,265,2 ,215, an increase of $703, 1000 over this years estimated cost. The state department esti mates that it can get by next year at virtually the same cost to the peo- pie as this year, approximately $11,- 000,000, most of which goes to pay salaries and expenses of the diplo- matic and consular services. In the treasury department, how ever, the situation is spotted. This year the treasury is costing the tax payers about $17O. 100000; next year, it estimates the cost will be about S169,0 900. The million dollar re- duetion is brought about by sharp decreases in some bureaus, but there are equally pronounced increases in others.
 It will cost more next year to col- feet taxes and less to collect the tariff. Collecting the taxes is down as a 5000, GOO item of expense. SS, O00.000 more than this year; collect ing the tariff will cost an estimated $33,750,0 ,000 nearly $5,000,000 less than this years cost. The public health service will cost an estimated $1.600,- 000-16 per cent more: the coast guard about $1,00O,00O less. A cut of one-third, or about $4.000,000. is noted in the estimated expense of maintain Ing the nations public buildings such as custom houses. courthouses, post offices and quarantine stations.
 Prohibition Comes High
 Also it will cost the nation one third more to be dry next year, an in- crease of $2,50O,000 being allowed for the enforcement of prohibition. Es- xs. .t.. n partment show jump of nearly 20 per eent-from S5o00,000 to $41- 800, 900. Taking care of the Indians will cost about 32,000, 900 or S250,00O less than this year, the decrease be- ing wholly due to a less appropria- tion for Indian schools. Incidentally we will spend S1O0,000 more next year than this for civilization of the Sioux" the respective estimates be- ing S250,000 and $175,O0O
 Pensions drop. The pensioners are dying, but those on the rolls will re- eeive an estimated s252. .0o0.0 900 next year as compared with $25S, 1000, 000 this year.
 And So it goes. The bureau of census for instance will spend S1 0O0,- coo less next year but the department of commerce of which the census bu- reau IS part will spend approXi- mately the same amount next year as this the million saved from the census bureau being wiped out by the increased activities and ex- penses of other bureaus The de- partment of labor is down in the es- inmates for an increase of more than 30 per cent, or from s4S00.O0O to S6,SOO, ,000.
 General Dawes has cut the esti- mates of nearly every de- partment as they have come to him, trimming some of them to the quick, and has eliminated many millions from the total. Nevertheless the re- suit so far as the general conduct of government goes, disregarding the army and navy shows that the cost of the government will drop only 1 E per cent next year, should the estimates be adopted. There will be changes, of course. in committee, and perhaps on the floor of both houses. Chairman Madden of the appropria- tions committee is trying to find way to make the changes substantial and downward