Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-13
BY Harden COIfaX.

ASppyllSAlJ loSlsJ
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-Run-
ming the ordinary. everyday peace
time affairs of the United States
government during the next fiscal
year will cost the tax payers SO IL
per cent of what it is costing them
this year, according to estimates
contained in the budget prepared by
General Dawes, transmitted to con-
gress by the president this week
and at present under the scrutiny
of the house appropriations commit
tee.
The foregoing analysis, which is
causing considerable thought among
members of the committee, does not
take into consideration. the cost of
maintaining the army and navy. 1t
does however, include every other
peace time department of govern
ment which is functioning this year
and will function next. It does not
include payments to the sinking
fund, interest on the national debt
and kindred OUTLAWS which remain
virtually unchanged in the estimate
for this and next fiscal year.
On it's face, the budget for next
year contemplates a decrease in or
binary expenses of $447.704,239.
Ninety per cent of that decrease is
made up of three items, as follows:
/. A reduction in the cost of con-
Quoting the affairs of the railroad
administration. During the present
fiscal year, the railroad administra-
ton is costing the tax payers $780,
679,235. Next year, the budget con-
templates, it shall cost nothing. The
railroad administration, however, is
purely a wartime agency and the
cost this year incidental to winding
up it's affairs, is in no sense an
ordinary peace time item of expence.
2. A proposed reduction in the
cost of maintaining the army, from
$3.50 ,091 ,406 this year to 1853, 902,-
LOT next year, a decrease of about
$40 100000.
8. A proposed reduction in the
cost of maintaining the navy, to
$421. 754. 1000 from S,s5O,O0O, a de-
crease of about $57 100000.
War Expenses Cut.
The total decrease in the national
cost of three war agencies-two or
them conducted as insurance against
war, aggregates $403,964,5S4. De-
duction from the total decrease of
SAT-, 7O4,239 set forth in the budget,
the result is a decrease in the cost
of conducting the multitud1nous
peace time activities of the gov
eminent of only $43,799,705 or about
one and one-half per cent Of the to-
tai.
Some of the permanent branches
of government show sizable increas-
es in the proposed cost of conduct
ing their affairs next year. some es'
innate the cost at about the same
as this year and a few show slight
decreases. Congress, for instance,
in the conduct of it's affairs-the
payment Of salaries, mileage, print
ing, etc., estimates it's cost to the
| nation next year at $16,265,215, an
| increase of 100000 over thi years
estimated cost. The state depart
| ment estimates that it can get by
next year at virtually the same cost
| to the people as this year, approx
| mately $11, 100000, most of which
goes to pay salaries and expenses
Of the diplomatic and consular serv
ices.
In the treasury department how
ever the situation is spotted. This
year the treasury is costing the tax
| payers about 170,000,000: next year
| it estimates the cost will be about
| $3.50 10000 The million dollar re
| duction is brought about by SHARP
| decreases in some bureaus, but
there are equally pronounced in
| creases in others.
It will cost more next year ia
collect taxes and less to collect the
tariff. Collecting the taxes is down
as a $66,000,000 item of expense, So,
| 900, 900 more than this year; collect
! ing the tariff will cost an estimated
$S3, $780, 900, nearly 100000 less
| than this years cost. The public
| health service will cost an estimated
| 81, 500, 000-16 per cent more; the
coast guard about $1,000,000 less. A
| cut of one-third, or about $4,0O0,OOC
is noted in the estimated expense OF
maintaining the nations public
buildings, such as custom houses
court houses, postoffices and quar-
| antine stations.
Prohibition Cost Increases.
| Also it will cost the nation one
| third mort to be dry next year, ar
increase of $2,500,000 being allowed
for the enforcement of prohibition
| Estimated expenses of the interior
department show jump of nearly
| 20 per cent-from $35,000,000 tc
Sal, 100000. Taking care of the In
dams will cost about $32 900. 900 or
$3.50, 900 less than this year, the de
crease being wholly due to less ap
preparation for Indian schools. In
cidentally, we will spend 100000
more next year than this for ''civili
zation Of the Sioux, the respective
estimates being $275,000 and $175.
| 000
| Pensions drop. The pensioners
are dying, but those on the Go!ls