Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-07-11
FOR REAL ECONOMY.

1t is quite evident that President
Harding Is deeply in earnest in his
stand for economy in governmental af-
fairs. This fact is emphasized by the
appointment of Gen. Dawes as head
of the budget system.
In the big auditorium of the capitol
the other day there was very signi-
ficant meeting, the only one of its kind
ever held in the history Of the govern
ment. All the members of the cabinet
We're there, many army officers were
present, chiefs of the various bureaus
were in attendance and large mum
Der of lesser officers were in the gath
ering to the number of about 1900.
President Harding made a few re-
marks to the assemblage, declaring
that his administration is pledged in
every resolution, every commitment
and every determination to the cause
Of economy in government"
The meeting was held at the instance
of the president. He wanted those In
authority under his administra ton to
hear from Gen. Charles G. Dawes the
details of the new budget plan.
ut is doubtful if meeting like
this was ever held before" said the
president. II am glad to come before
you and stand sponsor for this meet
ing. This administration is committed
to period Of economy in government
II mean no criticism Of what has
passed, but it is realization Of driv-
ing at loose and unscientific methods
Of government. There is no menace in
the world today like that Of growing
public Indebtedness and mounting pub
lie expenditures
This menace, the president might
have added. is not only threa tening ma.
tiOnal governments. but many city and
other governments as we'll. The peo
pie INDUCED in such reckless extrava.
gances during and Immediately follow
ing the great world war. the profit
gacy reaching high as well as low
places. that it is going to take con-
siderable pressure to get everything
back upon a sound normal basis. The
public doesn't always appreciate the
efforts Of public officials in the direc.
ton of economy. 1t is too often
charged that efforts in that direction
are only grandstand plays and the Off
Gals who really try to economic some
times give up in encouragement. But
President Harding. in the judgment of
the Freeman-Journal, is not going to
give up. He is going to insist upon real
economy. else he would not have called
such a man as Gen. Dawes to such an
important position.
When the president had concluded.
General Dawes took charge. He said
he wanted every person present to
understand that his duty was collecting
information for the president.
First keep in your minds" he said.
that am only a gatherer of informa.
ton. When my representatives call
on you it is not to seek material for
criticism or for praise. hut to get In.
formation for the bead of this great
business corporation. the United States.
II am merely the eyes and ears Of
the head OF the corporation. That
basic principle will hold good as long
as am the budget bureau chief and
predict 1t will hold good as long as
there is a budget system.
"The permanent success of the bud
get system in the United States de-
ponds upon certain basic principles
which at its inception must be so firm
ly established, both as concepts and
rules Of action. that they will never
be hereafter questioned.
First The budget bureau must be
impartial, impersonal and nOnpolitical