Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-10
A NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BUDGET.

The speech Of John T. Pratt chairman of the
National Budget Committee delivered at the High
school auditorium Thursday evening, interest
ing but not wholly convincing Mr.. Pratts audi
went with him quite unanimously part oe
the way but he met with sharp division of opin-
ion part of his proposal.
The need of national executive budget and a
departmental "co-ordnator" is readily apparent
and generally conceded. Heretofore each depart
ment has made its estimates of needed approprla-
lions and has sent these estimates to the Secretary
of the Treasury, who has compiled them and sent
them to congress. The Secretary's power has been
confined to compilation. He has had no power
of revision or reduction.
The practice of asking for more money than Is
actually needed has been universal in the depart
ments as It has come to be presumed that con-
gress will cut down the appropriation requested
Congress, presumng that the estimate has been
padded, proceeds to cut it down, SO unscientfic
system has grown up which makes extravaganza
the rule
That there should be budget executive, direct
Iy responsible to the president. who will learn the
facts concerning actual departmental needs and
then tell congress precisely what amount of money
actually is needed, Is quite apparent
Further than that, a "co-ordlnator' whose duty
1t shall be to bring about corporation and co-ordi'
nation in the bureaus of various departments where
Implications occur, failure to cooperate
adds to the expense is an imperative necessity.
For instance, coal purchases for every department
should be under a single head and the contract
should be standardized Another instance: If the
treasury department needs the OF fleet of
trucks for a day week and the war depart
ment has such fleet lying Idle, the treasury de-
partment should not spend public money in hiring
private trucks.
In all these respects there is little room for
difference of opinion on the budget system. Nor
~. hat napdi q
rules as to have but single committee on appro-
priatons in each body of congress, In no other
way can duplication be prevented. 1t also can be
quite unanimously agreed that congress should pa
"self denying" rules which will prevent the dis
cusson of Independent appropriation bills until
after the budget submitted has been discussed and
acted upon.
The sharp difference between Mr.. Pratt and I
some of his hearers occurred on the question of
whether or not congress should surrender its pre-
rogaive of determining a public policy. Mr. Pratt
would have those seeking an appropriation to re-
claim the upper Rio Grande valley or the San Juan
Basin, go to the executive department having such
matters under consideration, instead of taking the
matter to congress He would have the reclama-
ton service decide the policy and congress merely
act upon the appropriation
Much can be said both for and against such
plan That ability in votegetting and skill in los
rolling determines which public projects VIII re-
ceive appropriations Is true beyond doubt. To get
something for his state district is the criterion
of success for a senator congressman under the
present system We do not allow these public SER
wants to think in terms of the nation. They must
confine their thought and activity largely to mat
tiers affecting their states Theoretically this Is bad
Our national representatives should be presumed
to think and act in terms of the national welfare
Under our present system this would be rather /
violent presumption. g
On the other hand, our bureaucratic executive !
system, as at present organized does not command
the confidence of the public to degree which leads
the people to willingly submit their problems TO its
Judgment. very radical revision of present 8
executive system will be necessary before the pub
lie will feel that scientific, we-balanced and i'm, t
partial scheme of national development is the DOM
mating motive The departments, now organized
are too susceptible to unseen political pressure, The
people feel that action by congress is more open to
public gaze This may or may not, be true.
Both state and nation certainly are in need OF
an executive budget system. We should move +
steadily in the direction of perfecting this method 8
Of handling public finances.
It seems to the Journal that Mr.. Pratt should
meet with popular response in his request that I
he people urge upon congress the taking OF ths Il
next step essential to budget system; that Is, that
Zach body of congress revise It's rules so as to have
out one appropriation committee and that the ex- a
,cutive budget be discussed and disposed of before
,ther appropriation bills are taken up. q
General Dawes, director of the budget, has I
pointed the way to 5000, 900 900 saving in the ex- Il
,cutive department Congress should not be per- a
nitted to obstruct the gradual coming of better
lay in national financial management.