The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-12-05
HALF BILL1ON'CUT
BY FIRST BUDGET
CONTINUED from Page H.


lively. The navy estimates carry an
item of 500 ,19S, 900 for continuing con-
struction on the 1915 building pro-
gram as compared to S142 ,452,0O0 for
this year. Navy pay calls for S14S,-
754 900, an increase of S49,O00,O00.
Pay, mileage. ETC., for the army is
the largest item in the war depart
ment budget, the figure being $154,-
448. 400. For the national guard an
expenditure OF S,946,600 is esti-
mated.
Public Works
Expenditures on public works UNI
der the war department are given as
$57 1913 400 including 44,245. 400 for
rivers and harbors, as compared with
$29 $50 900 for the current year.
Included in the $4,55 ,232,700 esti-
mate for the veterans bureau are
these items: Military and naval com
pensation 160,000,000; military and
naval insurance, $62. 900; vocation
rehabilitation, 1927 900, 900; medical
and hospital service, $72,000,000 and
salaries and expenses, 1921 ,702.
For prohibition enforcement, the
budget bureau estimates $4,000, 900,
an increase of $2,500,000 over this
year. Expenses OF the internal reve-
nue. bureau are placed at $66 ,206, 100
as compared with $5S,0S2,790 for this
year.
Estimates for independent agencies
include: Federal trade commission,
seas, 500; interstate commerce com
mission, S4,995.240; housing corpor-
alton, $1,267 ,453; railroad labor board,
S09S,650; alien property custodian,
$390,4S0; civil service commission,
1896, 595, and employees compensation
commission and compensation fund.
S2,798,000
While the railroad administration
and the transportation act are expect
ed to cost the government $337,679,-
235 in 1922, no estimate Of expendi-
lures for these purposes for 1923 was
included in the budget. Experts ex-
planned that it was not possible to
make an accurate estimate of what
would be needed for the carriers until
the results Of the 1922 railroad flnanc-
ing are known.
Report of Dawes
Accompanying the budget as sent
to Congress ia detailed report from
Director General Dawes as to the
operation Of the budget bureau since
its establishment five months ago and
some pointed comments as to means
OF continuing its efficient operation.
Discussing the reception of the bud
get by Congress. General Dawes says:
1T is to be expected that since the
preliminary estimates have been made
under the pressure OF the executive
for proper retrenchment, where con-
sistent with efficiency, it will not be
necessary, as heretofore, for Congress
to make redical cuts upon the esti-
mates of the budget with any uncer-
tinty as to what will be the result as
it effects efficiency. The president of
the United States, when he sends the
budget to Congress is presumed to
send it with all the reductions in ex-
penditures which can be effected
without duo impairment of govern
mental business processes. In the
preparation Of the budget he has had
at work an authorized agency in the
bureau not. Only ascertaining the rea-
sonableness of desired appropriations,
but in continually imposing pressure
q
in the estimates wherever proper and
possible 81
No Increase Desired
General Dawes says he feels that
the estimates FOR expenditures for
1928, upon which the budget is based
will not be increased except through
appropriations initiated by Congress
or by the executive as result of
emergency or unforeseen conditions
arising after the preparation OF the
budget"
Reiterating his recommendation
that Congress Immediately repeal all
outstanding continuous appropriations
and revolving funds" General
Dawes says the method of appropriat-
ing money heretofore followed has
resulted in a condition OF things I'M
| der which 1t is almost impossible for
either the executive, Congress, or the
/ secretary of the treasury to have be-
fore them a true picture of the fiscal
condition OF the government at any
particular time
ShiftIess Habit
/ THE whole habit OF making con-
tinuous appropriations to which the
government mas Dcon cOmmltted IN
the past" he adds. ''is only an en-
couragement to a lack Of security Of
public work by the head of the de-
partment under which it is carried
on, and an encouragement to shift
lessness and carelessness on the part
OF the subordinates more directly con-
cerned in it, This system Of prepar.
ing the budget will conflne the atten-
ton Of the executive, of Congress, and
Of the public to one great important
question, to-wit: the relation of the
money actually to be spent by tho
government to the money actually to
be received by the government in any
given year, all its outstanding obliga-
tons and indefinite commitments,
projects and enterprises considered.
This will enable Congress, with more
intelligence. to determine at any time
both the necessity for retrenchment
and the ability of the government to
engage in additional projects to be
initiated by Congress outside of the
budgetary provisions"