The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-02-10
BAMBERG, S. c.. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Democrats Plan to Challenge
Republican Economy Claims

act. The department had to esti-
mate for S10,OOO,00O to carry out
the Weeks law, this being the amount
required, but the department did not
know how much congress would al
low at this time. The appropriations
committee allowed only S1,000,000
this year, and, meanwhile, another
committee is holding hearings to de-
eide upon a forest reserve policy. But
the S9,0O0,000 is not saved, simply
because the estimate temporarily is
cut.
Must Have Needed Funds.
"Another s1,000,OOO saved in the
agricultural bill was the elimination
of the funds for outbreaks of cpl
denies, such as foot and mouth dis
ease among animals. But if such
outbreaks come, the department must
have the money. The fund for fight
ing forest fires was reduced by ST.
900, 1000 this year, but the fires must
be put out if they burn-even if a
deficiency is incurred. This is not a
saving
There have been similar 'econo-
mics in other bills and in the diplo-
matte budget small savings were
made by reducing the number of
clerks in some of our diplomatic and
consular Offices abroad Practically
no salary increases have been car
ried in any of the appropriation bills
reported to date.
There will doubtless be a deep
cut in estimates when the naval bill
is reported, but some of the estimates
are voluntarily withdrawn by Secre-
tary Daniels. For instance, when he
estimated for $4,000 men at the
time the estimates we're made up last
August, it was because so many of the
old men in the navy had to be used
to train raw recruits, many Of whom
were not of the type sought and need
ed by the navy. Since that time wag-
es'have dropped in civil employment
and large number of old navy men
are re-enlisting because they cannot
get employment outside.
1T is figured that 100000 more
experienced men will be worth more
to the navy than $4,000 inexperien-
ced men-therefore, there can be a
cut in the naval estimates as to this
particular item.
Are Only Postponements.
Before long I intend to go through
all the appropriation bills and point
out where economy has been practic-
ed to the detriment of the public ser
vice, or not practiced at all, and to
show that many of the alleged savings
are but postponements of appropria-
tions.''
Representative Byrnes did not
mention the army appropriation bill,
but here the estimates were cut al
most in half. The house committee
has allowed for an army of only 1885,
600, although both the senate and
house recently voted for an army OF
IT'S, 1000, while the army reorganlza-
| ton act of a year or so ago stipulat
ed as maximum an army of about
100000. Secretary Baker has beer
criticised in congress for enlisting
already approximately 20S,OOO.
Before the session ends Republi'
cans and Democrats inevitably vii
lock horns over the so-called econo
my record of the present congress, the
latter insisting that the economies
are fancied and not real, and will be
followed by the customary crop of de-
fciency measures. Figures concern
ing the economies of the house com
mittee, however, are premature, a!
the senate almost invariably increas
es the total of the house budget anc
when the appropriation laws are II
nally enacted they represent some
what costly compromise between thf
two branches of congress.-Baltl
more Sun.