The New York herald., 1921-06-07
ECONOMY CAMPAIGN
IS CAININGA VICTORY
INu.S. DEPARTMENTS
Clerks Are Being Pried
Loose From Their Jobs
at Rate of Thousand
a Month.
LARGER EXODUS SOON
BOrah in Attack on Army
Appropriation Bill Says
Country's Moral Is
More Important.
USES .HERALD' EDITORIAE
Government Employees Are
Making Frantic Appeals to
Home Representatives for
Retention in Positions.
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
WaShingtOn. ID. c.. June 6. (

Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
Washington, ID. c.. juno 8.
Economy in Government expendi-
lures is becoming an accomplished
fact. Clerks in the Federal depart
ments mere are being pried loose from
their jobs at the rate of 1000 a month,
with the prospect that the speed will
be increased soon after the beginning
of the next Government fiscal year.
July l, as part Of the programme for
reducing Federal expenses.
Figures available at the Civil Ser
vice Commission indicated that the
new fiscal year would begin with a
total OF slightly more than $4,000
clerks in Washington, compared with
$4,000 on January l. In the days be-
fore the war the total number Of
clerks in Washington never exceeded
$4,000.
The greatest cut in the clerical
forces will come June 30, when cur
rent appropriations will be exhausted.
During the present month and during
July. therefore, the belief is that be-
tween 5000 and 1000 clerks will be
turned loose from Washington.
Drive by Economy Advocates.
Economy advocates. led by Senator
Borah (Idaho) had field day in the
Senste. where the demands for slowing
up in spending the Governments money
overshadowed for a time the debate t.
day on the army appropriation BILL the
issue being whether the House action
fixing the army at 100000 shall stand
or the army be Increased to 170.0 as
recommended by the Senate Military AZ
fairs Committee.
Pleading for the larger army. Senator
wadsworth IN. ~, In charge Of the bill.
asserted that approval Of the House fg-
ures was false economy: that It would
mean utter disaster to the army; that
II would destroy its morale. would prac-
tically dismember all its combat forces
and that IN the end 1t would save no
money. II would be practically impos-
sible, he said to reduce the army in &C.
cordance with the House bill. as 1t would
require immediate discharge OF 10000
-,
not expired.
Mr.. wadsworth pointed out that the
Senate bill carries a total Of $355.ooo.-
600, or 81 900. 900 less than the amount
approved by Congress last session.
"The morale of the country is to me
more important than the morale OF the
army" Senator Borah said in urging
lower appropriations. He favored an
army Of 100000. II he could get II, but
oA fal mas vnocth1n y1nu aud
gave notice that he would vote for an
army of 10000.
Mr.. Borah's Argument.
In his argument for greater economy
Mr.. Borah quoted President Harding's
address to Congress appealing for reduc-
tion Of Government expenses, and from
Secretary Mellon to the effect that re-
ductions in the army and navy were
the best sources OF reducing appropria-
tions. and referred to and read into the
Congressional Record the recent edi-
torial In THE New York HERALD dis
cussing the failure Of the Government
70 reduce operating costs or to lower
the taxes
'T quote THE Nrw York HERALD" he
said. because II has been making deep
study of the question which should COM
mend itself to those responsible for the
Governments finances
Mr.. Borah insisted that the size of
the army should be determined. not by
the morale of the army itself. or the
accommodation of department officials.
but by the need OF the country for
safety and security. He insisted that
Republicans should have a definite pro-
rramme for reducing expenses. and de-
nnandcd TO know how. when and where"
they we're 10 reduce
Senator King asked II Democratic
answer would help, but Senator Borah
said the responsibility was on the shoul-
ders OF the party now IN control OF the
Government, and that the leaders have
no answer yet He spoke Of the budget
legislation which many believe Is pana-
cea for all governmental financial Ills,
predicting that Il would be ''useless'' In
that regard unless department officials
changed their habits and methods.
"I believe the time has come" he said.
when appropriations must be reduced.
regardless of immediate consequences"
Discusses Peace Resolution.
lie launched upon a discussion OF the
necessity for having peace with Germany
and insisted there be no further "dilly
daliying" about technical conditions In
the peace resolution. but that IL be put
through so that the law will correspond
with the existing status of peace.
The economy moves that arc being
made have thrown the Government clerks
into a panic and frantic appeals are be-
ing made TO home town Representatives
In Congress- TO retain them on the job.
These entreaties are not meeting with
much success, the chief clerks Of the
different departments simply holding up
their hands In dismay, insisting they are
helpless to retain clerks because Of lack
OF funds.
Meantime a noticeable propa aganda
Continued on Fourth Pdos.