The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-10

possible to make an accurate eStl-
mate Of what would be needed for
the carriers until after the results
Of the 1922 railroad financing are
known.
Accompanying the budget as sent
to congress is 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 nnitocfu c!0SS90$--
to means of continuing its efficient
operation. Discussing the reception
Of the budget by congress, General
Dawes says:
1T is to be expected that since
the preliminary estimates have
been made under pressure by the
executive for proper retrenchment,
where consistent with efficiency, it
will not be necessary, as heretofore,
for congress to make radical cuts
upon the estimates Of the budget
with any uncertainty as to what
will be the result as it effects ef-
ficiency. The president of the
United States, when he sends the
budget to congress is presumed to
send it with all the reductions in
expenditures which can be effect
ed without due impairment of gov
ernmental business processse. in
the preparation Of the budget he
has had at work and authorized
agency in the bureau not only in
ascertaining the reasonableness of
desired appropriations, but in con-
tinually imposing pressure upon the
departments for a reduction in the
estimates wherever proper and
possible.
General Dawes says he feels that
the estimate for expenditures for
1923, upon which the budget is
based will not he increased ex-
cept through appropriations Initial
ed by congress or by the executive
as a result Of emergency or urfore-
seen conditions arising after the
preparation of the budget
Reiterating his recommendations
that congress Immediately repeal
all outstanding continuous appro-
priations and revolving funds"
General Dawes says the methods
Of appropriating money heretofore
followed "has resulted IN a condi-
ton of things under which it is al
most impossible for either the exc
cutlve, congress, or the secretary
Of the treasury to have before them
a true picture Of the fiscal condi-
ton OF theg overament at any par
ticular time"
"The whole habit of making con-
tinuous appropriations to which
the government has been commit
ted in the past" he adds, 'is only
an encouragement to a lack of
scrutiny of public work by the head
Of the department under which it
is carried on, and an encourage
ment to shiftlessness and careless
ness on the part Of the subordi-
mates more directly concerned in
it. This system Of preparing the
budget will confine the attention
Of the executive, of congress, and
Of the public to the one great i'm
portant question, to wit, the rela-
tion Of the money actually to be
spent by the government to the
money actually to be received by
the government in any given year,
all it's outstanding obligations and
indefinite commitments, projects
and enterprises considered. This
will enable congress, with more in
tclligence, to determine at any
time both the necessity for re-
trenchment and the ability Of the
government to engage in addition
al projects to be initiated by con-
gress outside Of the budgetary pro-
visions"
LikeninS the federal government
to business corporation, General
Dawes points to these faults
which he says existed:
The president Of the corporation
(tf1e president Of the United States)
gave practically no attention to its
ordinary routine business.
The administrative vice presi-
tents (members Of the cabinet)
were allowed to run their several
departments as if each separate
department was an Independent
authority in all matters Of routine
business.
Because Of lack Of any out
lined business plan, no system ex-
listed for making purchases or in
selling material along business
lines under a unified policy.
No balance sheet Of the corpora
ton as whole was ever prepared.
The treasurer kept no accurate
account Of the contingent obliga-
tons of the various federal depart
ments, thus resulting in money be-
ing drawn from him continuously
in excess Of the estimated annual
running expenses.
The corporation, in effect. sell
dom reconsidered an unwise pro-
jcct entered into by any depart
ment.
The administration heads Of the
departments were selected as a
rule with little reference to their
business qualifications and were
compelled to rely largely upon the
advice of subordinates welded to
the theory Of the right Of independ-
ent operation Of the department. -
Outlining the work of the vari-
GUS co-ordinating agencies estab-
lished by presidential order ito rec
tify faults in the routine business
P+bo ooyoro,,,ont General Dawes