Evening star., 1921-06-10
NEW FISCAL YEAR
TO BRING ANXIETY
Demand for Economy From
People Means Reduced
Personnel July |.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

Comes now very shortly the begin
ming of the new fiscal year. when
the governmental departments will
take stock of their assets as provided
by the appropriation bills and plan
their activities for the ensuing twelve
month period. 1t will be time OF
anxiety and real distress in many of
the departments, which must yield to
the necessity of cutting down clerical
forces imposed by the new laws TAX
ing effect July /.
The inexorable demand of the coun-
try for economy in governmental ex-
penditure will be met to a degree.
What the effect will be upon the serv-
ice is what will interest the heads of
departments. 1t is generally believed
in Congress that many of the clerical
positions abolished can be spared
without actual detriment to the public
business. although that judgment will
hardly receive the concurrence of the
victims of the reductions.
Great Increase In Work.
Every head of a department knows
that the work of the branch of gov
ernmental service of which he is the
head has increased tremendously in
the past four years. Part of the in
crease was war imitation. to be sure.
but at that there has been an actual
and visible addition to the demands
OF the public service. Tho country
has grown and the activities and re-
sponsibilities of departments have
grown in proportion.
or necessity. many hundreds of
clerks will be compelled to leave
Washington and return to the states
whence they came. to find lessened
opportunities for employment at
home. They will add to the number
Of pegs in their localities for which
there are not enough holes.
The disturbing thought which
dwells in the minds of congressman
is that the reductions effected in ap-
preparations will exercise but small
influence upon the big problem of re-
ducing taxation. which is the bogey
nan of their days and nights. Every
man in Congress is harassed con-
stantly by the pressure from back
home" for reduced taxes. as we'll as
theif re-allocation along less vex-
atious lines, the while they know
there is but little real hope for ma
terial reductions.
Fail to Find Solution.
No satisfaction can be obtained by
any one who inquiries Of Congress as
to the outlook for lessened taxes. 1,
is not even possible at this time to
report progress" toward the solution
In process of consideration, but lack
Ing signs of results pointing to So
luton.
The only comfort congressman car
take is in the feeling that their in.
tentions are good" in regard to meet
ing the publ1c's demands 1t may be
that some of them are not as happy
now that they are in Congress. as
they were when the election returns
came in last November announcing
their victory over their contestants
for the place. Life is said to be far
from one grand sweet song to the
average congressman alive to the re.
sponsibilities of the present and the
outlook for the future.
Congressman who are in touch with
"big business" through correspond.
ence with constituents who hold i'm
portant places in industry and finance
are getting reports of improved con.
improvement is not startling, to bt
sure, but is nevertheless noticeable.
Subject to Economic Law.
1t is said that realization appears tc
, be increasing, after waiting for the
Intervening time since the advent OF
the new administration and the as.
sembling of the new Congress, thai
no miracle. to be wrought by admins.
tratlon or legislation, can change ir
the twinkling of an eye conditions
subject to inexorable economic law
and that gradually the people are tao.
king the causes Of discomfort and de.
preston at their source.
The most portentous shadow hang.
ing over the near future of prosperity
in the country is the question as tt
how the railway employees will take
the new orders Of the Railway Labor
Board, which become effective JULY
l. Nobody in Washington official lifl
dares venture a guess whether there
are to. be disastrous strikes or not
but the majority sentiment appears
| to be the hope that they will fail t.
materialiZe.