Evening journal., 1921-12-03

The National Economic League
recently sent out the questions
shown below to representative busi-
ness and professional men in every
state, asking for a yes" or mo"
vote. with comments or quaiifca-
tions II desirable. BY an almost
unanimous vote. an unqualified af-
trmative is returned on these propo-
sitions:
% For open, visible. executive
leadership in matters OF national
finance and administration-96e
CD For a budget prepared under
the direction OF the President; and
explained and defended on the moor
OF Congress by the Cabinet-95%
CD For change OF the rules OF
Congress to give the Cabinet the
privileges OF the moor without a
right TO vote---92q5.
(G For changes in statute law
making II the duty of the Cabinet
to take leadership before Congress
and the country in matters OF finance
and adminlstration-S44
CD For amendment TO the Consti-
tuition to provide for such proceed
ure, in case Congress refuses 10
make the necessary changes in
rules and statute iaw-72Ts.
The principle OF publicity and
popular control embodied in these
measures has been held TO be SO
important that IL has been incor-
porated in every democratic consti-
tuition OF Europe adopted within
l Al Nnta l..
this procedure was adopted volun-
tarily by Parliament, by change OF
rules. In other European countries
II has been imposed on the repre-
sentative branch by their written
constitutions. Congress has the
power to force our political leader
ship into the open. IL II refuses TO
change its rules to provide for open
forum discussion in matters Of
| finance and administration, the only
recourse is constitutional amend
ment This course. II necessary, is
favored by 72% OF the 1000 mem
bers OF the National Council OF the
Economic League who took part in
this referendum.
Under the present system leader
ship in these matters. It Is explained.
is vested in the chairmen OF Con-
gressionai Committee. OF which
there were last year 7e in the House
and Senate together. The defeat OF
the recently enacted budget law. Il
was pointed out is that although
prepared by an Executive Bureau. il
AFFORDS no opportunity for the ex-
ecutive to explain or defend its pro-
posais publicly before either branch
budget will be referred by each
branch OF Congress to standing
committees for consideration. and
when Appropriation bills and rev.
enue bills are reported out. they
will be. as in the past. the measures
OF the committees and not the
measures OF the executive. The
Good committee. which prepared the
bill passed. in its report supporting
the measure when introduced.
frankly stated that il was not the
intention that the country should
have an executive budget. on this
point the report says; 1T will
doubtless be claimed BY some that
] tUr II an tktNuAANf nuuEtl
The plan outlined does provide foi
an executive initiation OF the bud.
get. but the Presidents responsible
ity ends when he has prepared the
budget and transmitted it TO Con-
gress. To that extent. and that ex-
tent alone. does the plan provide for
an executive budget"
II is stated by the league, in
criticism OF the measure. that Il will
not give us visible" government;
that Il will not fix responsibility in
way 20 help the voter; that the
only way executive heads can be
made responsible and the voter in
telliEent is to require the Cabinet 70
appear personally before the ap-
propristing. representative branch.
and explain and defend their acts
and proposals. that such an open
forum encounter between the ad-
ninistration and its opponents vii
make news; and that Il IS only
/ through the news columns that
"a. 900. 600 voters can be reached.
Members OF the Cabinet cannot
now appear on the floor or take
part in the discussions OF Congress
They appear before Congressional
committees only when. special per.
mission Is given. II the Secretary OF
/ Commerce. for example. desires q
have any question Of finance OF sd
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