The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-06
HORSEPOWER
BUDGET PLAN
Tells Congress II Is Only Way
to Put Government on
Business Basis.
BY W. II. ATKINS,
International News Service.

lNtcrnattOoal
Congress can stop great waste OF
the public's money by restricting
the right of its members to increase
items for pet projects unless recon-
mepded by the Treasury, Secretary
of the Treasury Houston has in
formed Congressional leaders han
ding Legislation for a new budget
system.
FAyORs TwO-THIRDs VOTE.
Real sconomy can be effected. Sec
rotary Houston said, by forbidding
the present practice of members OF
both houses in securing large addi-
tional sums, either in committee or on
tho floors. unless a two-thirds vote
Of the membership favors such In
ereases in budget figures
Secretary Houston. outlining the
main operative features OF the budget
system which Congress soon may
authorize, does not seek to interfere
with the constitutional right OF Con-
Kress to appropriate money apart
from the budget which might be sub
mitted by the President through the
Treasury, but he claims that addi-
tional moneys which may be au-
thorized outside the budget should be
provided for in separate bills.
Such separate bills, the Secretary
sad. might also provide Tor ex-
penditures in case the estimated
revenues for the Government are not
sufficient. The Secretary said that
responsibility for Government ex-
penditures should be placed definitely
before the people Of the country.
A. laid before Congressional lead
ers, Secretary Houstons suggestions
for placing the Government upon
business basis, through the working
Of the budget system. are:
WOULD UNITY ESTIMATES.
The budget system should pro-
vide for the formulation and submits
sion to Cong ress of unified estimates
The estimates should consist OF
well-balanced scheme in which the
cost Of each activity should be prop
orly related to the cost of the whole
and to the nations income.
2-The President should have full
responsibility for preparation of the
national budget, through the medium
OF the secretary of the Treasury, and
the budget bureau should be estab-
lished in the Treasury.
3-PoWer to reduce and revise Gov
eminent estimates should be given to
the Secretary of the Treasury, acting
for the President
+The budget bureau should be
given ample authority to make con-
tinuous study of various Government
agencies, to eliminate duplicated
work and wasted effort.
5-Single budget committees Tor
each the Senate and the House should
have initial consideration of the
budget. Congress should retain the
right to reduce estimates in the
budget, but If the President is held
responsible for a financial program. 1t
should be slow to increase the budget
he submits
6-There should be a rule that after
the budget committees have made
.heir reports no addition can be made
20 any item, except by an unusual
vote, probably two thirds.
EFFECTIVE AUDIT URGED.
T-Establishment of an effective
audit Is the next step in formulation
Of an adequate budget system. The
auditing forces, now consisting of
Comptroller of the Treasury, and sly
departmental auditors, should be con-
solidated under a comptroller general
If the United States, to be appointed
ny the President with the consent OF
the Senate.
Early establishment Of the budget
rystem was said by Secretary Hous-
ton to be an imperative need for
handling national finances upon a
business basis. The Secretary said 1t
: time to depart from the old system
now in effect which allows Congress
to consider piece-meal estimates made
up separately by various Government
departments, and without reference to
the Governments income.
Congress spends much time in de-
tails, instead of considering larger
matters which really make for efrec-
tive control OF the finances. The old
system of estimating needed money
was the subject of discomfort before
the war. 1t is now condemned in I'M
measured terms. There has arisen a
popular demand for scientific i'm
provement that would seem to impel
action.
"A budget system will not only be
u great step forward in improving
business methods of executive agen-
cies, but it will also be one of the
best means of giving the people of
the country complete information re-
lating to the operations of their Gov
eminent, the efficiency Of its manage
ment. and The results achieved in re-
lation to the cost of the undertaking"
1t ia the belief of the Secretary that
passage of the budget bill in it's re-