The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-10
FEDERAL
BUDGET
REDUCED

Fiscal Year 1923
That is $500, 900, 900
Less Than Former
Figures
Washington, Dec. 5.-A federal
budget for the fiscal year 1923 ap-
proximately $500, 100000 below the
four billion dollar figure which had
been estimated some time ago as
the minimum Of government expen-
ditures for several years to come,
faced congress when it reconvened
today.
The exact figures as prepared by
the newly created budget bureau
and transmitted by President
Harding in special message, were
s3,505,T54,727, including an esti-
mated deficit of $21,5o9,666 in the
operations of the postal service.
This total represents decrease
of S462,167,639 from the S3,967,-
922,366 estimated expenditures for
the current fiscal year and S2,032,-
2S5,962 from the actual expendi-
lures in the fiscal year 1921. 1t is,
however, $751; 1,977 in excess of
the estimated receipts Of $685.
1S2,750, while the outgo for the
current fiscal year exceeds the estl-
mated receipts of S3,943,453, ,663 by
s24,4s8,703.
Referring to the apparent deficit
for 1923, President Harding wrote
the congress that ways are provid-
ed for the. relatively easy adjust
ment without added taxation" Of
the discrepancy between the income
and outgo. IS one means he rec
commended legislation directing the
reduction of the accumulated naval
supply account by 100000.
Actual appropriations asked of
congress for the various federal de-
partments and agencies for 1928
total s3,224.S75,592, exclusive of
postofTice department This repre-
sents a reduction Of SIZE. .S06,$10
from the original estimated as pre-
sented to the budget bureau, it is
stated. but is approximately S27,-
100000 more than the appropria-
tons for this fiscal year.
Explaining the $2S0,S79,134 ex-
cess of estimated expenditures in
1923 over the appropriations asked
for, budget bureau officials explain
that some of the funds actually to
be put out will be carried over in
continuing appropriations and by
other means. They say that ap-
preparations for given year do not
accurately reflect actual expenses
for that year, pointing out that
while abe appropriations for this
fiscal year were s3,197,S07.962, the
estimated actual outgo will exceed
this sum by approximately $770,-
100000.
OF the total estimated expendi-
lures for 1928, approximately s2,-
100000. 600 is to pay for past wars
and to keep up the fighting arms of
the governr cnt, leaving only about
$500, 0,00e, 100000 for the peace
time pursuits Of the federal estab-
lishment. The estimate for the
army and the navy is sS01,636,1O7,
reduction of s66,305.299 as COM
pared with this fiscal year and
s956,352.741 as compared with the
fiscal year 1921.
The navy estimate Of $431, ,754.-
600, it is explained, does not take
into account any possible reduc-
tions that might be brought about
as a result OF the arms confer
ence, the total including. funds for
continuing work on the ships Of the
1916 program, most of which
would be scrapped under the pro-
posal made to the conference by
the American government.
The largest single item in the
budget is the fund for the interest
on the public debt. the s975.000,-
900 provided lacking only $25.000,-
600 of the total expenses of the
federal tablishment before the
world war. In addition. there is an
estimate of s3S9,388,S0O for the
war debt sinking fund.
Included in the total for the
army and navy is s31,964,000 for
! development and maintenance Of
the air service by the two depart
ments, divided $16,195,000 for the
navy and $14,964,400 for the army.
These compare with expenditures
this year of s15.O0OOOO and s19,-
| 159,7O0. respectively.
The navy estimates carry an item
! of $99,198, 900 for continuing con-
struction on the 1916 building pro-
gram. as compared to S142,452,000
for this year Navy pay calls for
$i4S,754,000, an increase Of s49,-
100000.
Expenditures on public works un-
der the war department are given
as $57,943,900, including $44,245.-
400 for rivers and harbors, as COM
pared with $29,S50,000 for the cur
rent year.
Included in the s455,232,7c2 cs-
innate for the veterans bureau are
these items:
Military and naval compensation,
s sO,c00,0O0; military mad naval in
surance. $62,71S, 900; vocational re-
habilitation. 100000; medical
and hospital service, $72, 100000.
and salaries and expenses, S26,-
| 521.7U2.