River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-01-20
Our Weekly Letter
From Washington
BY James A. Frear, M. c.


by different departments have not met
with complete success because every
bureau sticks tenaciously for it's pow
ers and its appropriations. When
the War Department estimates reach
ed Congress, efforts were at once made
to cut down the size Of the army,
which is now recruited to over 200,-
600 men. In like manner the Naval
force has come under scrutiny and
that Department reports it costs the
government STA on the average to re-
cruit every sailor. This makes a tax
burden of $11, 400 for every 100 men
recruited in time Of peace. Both SEN
ate and House are urging that the
regular army be reduced to 100000
men. Senator Lenroot proposed an
an amendment to that end which was
under consideration in the Senate for
several days. The National Guard has
been recruited with difficulty because
of the drive for regular army enlist
ments, but that branch has approx
mately 10000 men, which, added to
the regular army, makes a sizable
force for peace times. Strong efforts
to secure a reduction of Naval arma-
ments by different countries are also
pressed upon this country and the in
teresting spectacle is presented of
Messrs. Baker and Daniels, two war
time secretaries of well known nom
preparedness and pacific views now
seeking to lead the world in a pro-
digious military and naval program.
Secretary Baker says the cost OF
war paid by the War Department
alone reached $15,784,245,576 from
which should be deducted $2,053, $780,
600 credits on sales, salvage, ETC.,
leaving net expense of s13,730, 1885,
576 or about 1929 for every man, wo-
man and child in the country, or over
$500 for the average family. This
does not include naval expenses or
vast contributions for countless pur-
poses made by Congress and the peo-
pie, where no estimate is possible, nor
does it include ten billion dollars loan
ed to England, France, Russia and
other governments. In a published
statement of expenses of President
Wilson's peace mission furnished by
the President appears items of food,
S193,629; kitchen supplies, $283,560;
laundry, $64,969, and other expendi-
lures totalling $1,651, 191. These may
be charged off to war cleanup ex-
penses.
In a brief telegram President-elect
Harding smashed the extravagant in
augural ceremonies proposed by
Washingtonians who had raised over
100000 by subscription having for
side issue the glorifcation and profit
of local hotels, shopkeepers and last
but not least, of local society. Expen-
ditures direct and indirect resulting
from the proposed movement of gov
eminent troops and many other need
less expenditures reaching hundreds
of thousands of dollars will be saved
by Mr.. Harding who has asked to take
his oath of office on the steps of the
Capitol without fuss or feathers and
then wants to go to work. Probably
nothing has occurred thus far that
better indicates the new President
purpose to proceed modestly and to
keep a guiding hand on the helm.
Those who have paid $3.50 for single
rooms during the Inauguration at
down town hotels, will be unfortunate
unless they secure refunds, but crepe
hangs on the door knobs, figuratively,
of many stores and hotels since the
great program they arranged has fall
len down and the flood of visitors are
to be among the missing.
A question of lasting legislative I'M
uortance comes before the House this
week when the matter of increasing
the House membership from ABS to
483 members, based on the same ra-
ito of population may be determined.
New York, Pennsylvania, California
and other states would have largely
increased state delegations and are
urging the increase. The present
membership is unwieldy now and no
increase should be made without valid
reason. 1t is reported that Ex-speak-
er Cannon, Clark and Speaker Gillette
and many real working members are
opposed to charging the membership,
but the desire for state power IS
strongly in evidence in Congress as
well as in other places. Under ra-
ito of proportionate population in
crease throughout the country, Wis
consin's delegation will remain at II
members.
No one doubts that the present eff
orts at dehation and liquidation are
temnorarv. Opinions differ as to the