Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-07

government is contrary to everything
we cherish and can have no sanction
of our Republic. This is not SELFISH
ness: it is, sanctity. 1t is not aloof-
ness: it is security. 1t is not sus-
picion of others; it is patriotic adj
herence to the things which made US
what we are The Treaties drawn
by the Washington. Conference were
the answer to the Presidents recon-
mendation. These treaties have now
al; been ratified by the Senate. II
nothing had been done in the year
past beyond the work of the WASH
ington Conference, enough has been
wrought in this consummation alone
to give the Administration of Pres
ident Harding place along side of the
administrations of Washington and
Monroe and TO Justify the confident
claim Of public approval for pro-
gram outlined in the Republican
Platform, proclaimed by its candi-
dates. planned and carried into exc
cution by its officials. This record of
solid, successful, tangible achieve
ment of which the nation is proud
and for which a bleeding war-bur-
dened world is grateful will be con-
trasted by thoughtful electorate
with a Democratic record of sub
scrviency to- European interests.
abandonment Of national ideals. rain
bow chasing after an n-American
League of Nations, meddlng with ev-
|nr1sfl,iy1p cnff1incv ~ I,iyc-nnf
the bills of expense piled up by their
administration--the most recklessly
extravagant and wickedly wasteful
in the history of the Republic.
But it is not in the handling of
foreign affairs alone that the Repub-
|lican party has made record which
merits endorsement 1T the hands of
the people. In domestic affairs it has
made more progress toward economy
and business methods in eight months
than the Democratic party made in
eight years. When the Republicans
came into full power in 1921 they
found a Federal Treasury verging on
bankruptcy. The World War I'M
iavoidably increased government ex-
penses, yet these necessary expendi-
lures were vastly increased by DEM
ocratic wastefulness and incompe-
tency. Cost plus plans and privileged
profitecring had piled Ossa on Pelion.
National expenditures had increased
beyond belief. Appropriations for the
year ending June 80, 1916. were
81, lis, 100000. In three years they
had increased to more than $4,000
100000. For 1917 expenditures had
increased to s1,eo0,o00,0o0 and the
next year to $4,000, 100000. Follow
ing the election of Republican Con-
gross in 1918 expenditures were re-
duced from the Democratic high mark
Of $4,000, 100000. In 1919 to $6,500,-
100000 in 1920. Cessation Of war ac-
counted for some of this decrease. but
Republican economy and business
methods were large factor in maxi
! ing decrease possible.
For the fiscal year ending June 80
1921, Republican economy brought
appropriations down to s4,750.0 ,000
and the next year to $1,000, 000,0 600
and for the coming year appropria-
tons will be cut at least s5OO,0O0,o0C
below this figure.
Before the war the $1,000, 900. 900,
900 Congress was viewed with alarm
Today according to Eliot Wadsworth
assistant secretary of the Treasury
the Government is committed to more
than double that sum in obligations
and fixed charges that can not be re-
duced. This $2.O65,o 100000 is made UP
of. $975,OO0.000 for interest on public
debt, $3Ss, 100000 sinking fund and
other charges. s450,O0C,000 for dis
abled veterans relief (apart from
any bonus proposal whatever) and
1882 100000 for pensions. These total
nearly 60 percent of the estimated
cost, of the national government
leaving but 40 percent upon which
savings may be effective. The Army
and Navy Departments and good
roads take c6 percent, leaving IA per-
cent for all other government services.
Such is the heritage landed down to
President Harding by his predeccs-
sors.
The Government of the United
States is the greatest business in the
world and the Administration of Pres
ident Harding has insisted that the
best business methods should be es-
tablished. For decades business men
and thoughtful citizens generally have
been urging the establishment of a
Federal Budget system, to make pos
sible coordination Of the different
Executive departments and co-opera :
ton between the governmental agen-
cies which raise revenue and those
which spend it. This is the applica :
ton Of just plain common business
sense to a great business problem.
Accordingly a Republican Congress
promptly passed Budget law which
President Wilson promptly vetoed.
On March 4th. 1921. the new Republi =
can Congress came into being; it
promptly passed Budget Law which
President Harding promptly signed.
This law has been in operation under
the efficient management of General
Dawes less than a year, yet in that
time it has saved of the tax payers
money more than a billion dollars.
Theories do not count for much but
actual facts do. Here is an actual
tangible saving under Republican
methods of billion dollars a year
more than s33,00o,0Oo every day.
Economy after Democratic Admin
,istration is not theory, it is a neces-
sity. Democratic administrations do
not solve problems. they make them
they do not pay debts. they create
thano II ic he h,re;paes of