The Washington herald., 1921-06-11
PRESIDENT SIGNS
BUDGET BILL TO
UNITE ESTIMATES
Forms New Bureau to
Pass Upon All U. S.
Expenditures.
IN EFFECT JULY
Purchasing Board Will Save
Government Millions, Says
Representative Reavis.

President Harding yesterday
signed the budget bill providing for
correlation of all government esti-
mates and expenditures.
The bill completely reorganizes
the methods by which the federal
government makes it's enormous ex-
penditures. A new bureau, to be
known as the bureau of the budget
is established in the treasury de-
partment. A director of the budget,
who would have charge of the esti-
mates of all government depart
ments and agencies, and a comp
troIler general, in charge of audit
ing expenditures. will be at the
head of the new bureau. Each Will
receive a salary OF $4,000.
Becomes Elective July L.
The new law will go into effect
on July 1. the beginning OF the new
fiscal wear. The President will ap-
point the director and comptroller
general before that date, ii is un-
derstood.
The bill provides that hereafter
the various departments and bu-
reaus of the federal government
shall submit their annual estimates
to the new bureau. A federal budget
covering all the branches of the gov
ernment shall be submitted to con-
gress at the beginningsof each ses-
sion. There is provision in the
rev law designed to put an END
to deficiency appropriations by re-
curing department heads to keep
within the appropriations granted
under the budget.
For Purchasing Board.
Creation of a central board 10
make purchases for all branches OF
the government will be one OF the
first recommendations of the joint
cormittee on executive reorganiza-
tion. in the opinion OF Representa-
tive Reavis, of Nebraska. A single
selling agency also is contemplated
Reayis said these reforms could
he accomplished with little delay,
whereas the proposed overhauling OF
the deoartments will necessarily be
an extended process.
Millions will be saved. Reavis be-
lieves. II all supplies needed by the
government. including those for the
army and navy, are bought through
single Office. 1t will eliminate
competitive biddings between the
departments, ne pointed out ana
will give an advantage in buying
in huge quantities.
Beef Sold mt Loss
"When the war ended the war DE-
nartment had on hand millions OF
pounds Of frozen beef. said Kea'is
This was finally sold after much
difficulty at ruinous prices W
found that at the same time the
navy was buying large QUANTITIES
Of frozen meat at high prices II
there had been a buying ana seH-
ing agency this would not nave
happened"
Now practically all the depart
emnts and independent bureaus do
their own buying. Scores OF omces
recurring almost Identical equip
ment and materials make individ-
ual purchases when need arises
without regard to what other Of
fees are doing. During the war
various branches of the army were
bidding against each other and the
navy was bidding against these.
begins Work Monday.
The joint committee will hold its
first meeting Monday, to begin
work on the realignment of the
departments. Walter B. Brown, OF
Toledo. named as representative, OF
President Harding to sit with the
committee. will be present. Onices
will be established. probably in the
Capitol. and an ONCE personnel will
be employed. The COMMITTEE may
seek the advice of experts.
The first work of the committee
according to Reavis, will be to
make thorough survey of all ac-
tivities in which the federal gov
crnment is engaged. Every depart
ment and independent office will be
dissected and its functions and use.
| fulness examined.