The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-12-07
PRES. OUTLINES
1923 BUDGET
Harding Tells Congress Material Re.
duetions In Taxes anu Expenses
Depends on Federal Aid Tx.
pansiOn or Curtailment

'"h6'oD, DeC. 4.-PreSlden
Harding. In transmitting the annual
federal budget for the mex fiscal wear
frankly told congress today that whet.
her there was to be any material re.
duction In government expenditures
and In taxes in future years would
depend largely on whether there was
TO be a curtailment or expansion OF
FEDERAL aid in lines of research. i'm.
proyement and development.
Placing the estimated government
outlay in 1924 at SO, s ,S43, 234, a de
crease of about $500, 0O0, 900 as com
pared with estimates for this fiscal
year, Mr.. Harding called attention
that two-thirds of this total was ON
account OF practically fixed charges,
such as the public debt, national de-
tense, pensions, World War allow
c and federal aid. There was left.
he said, only about one billion dollars
IN charges subject to administrative
control and against which, he added.
the retrenchment policy of the gov
ernment had been directed.
The summary of the budget for 1924.
as given TO congress, shows an estim-
ated excess of recipes over expendi-
lures next year of $3.50, 1853, 1875 as com
pared with an estimated deficit of
S273,93S,T12 forthis fiscal year. The
president said, however, that he was
hopeful that the estimated deficit for
1923 could be- reduced in Their emaiu-
ing seven months and that the close
or the year next June 80 would show
a balanced account.
Estimated expenditures of $780,
S43,234 for 1924, which are exclusive
OF the postal service compare with
estimated appropriations of $3.O7S,-
94O,S3l for the same period. Mr..
Harding explained that the expendi-
lures would represent actual cash
withdrawal from the treasury includ-
Ing some IN ccoun of appropriations
i'm previous years.
Another deficit in postal operations
was forecast for this year but Mr..
Harding said it was estimated that
through proper readjustments there
would be- a surplus of postal
over expenditures in 1924 amounting
to $685., 439. For this postal
costs were placed at $3.50, 996 ,541 Or an
estimated deficiency OF $31 502, $50 as
compared with IN actual deficiency in
the last fiscal year of $64, 346 pa. The
1924 costs are given at s5S4,653 Isl.
The president told congress that an
appropriation of 1856, $50, 1897 recon-
mended for the army would provide a
regular force Of 10000 officers and
$4,000 enlisted men, exclusive of the
Philippine Scouts, which is the streng-
th now authorized by congress-, and
would enable the militia bureau to
increase the strength of the national
guard from 1000 officers and men to
215 600 officers and men. For the
army air service, $12.S71, 500 is propos-
ed, OF 1913 500 less than appropriated
this year. Mr.. Harding said this sum
would permit the service to operate
efficiently in accordance with existing
policy.
Naval Appropriation
For the navy. $2S9, $500 is asked.
This amount, the president asserted.
would provide for the present enlisted
personnel of $4,000 men, maintain all
present ships in commission and make
provisions for continuing all new ship
construction in privately owned yards
except for reduction in speed of con-
%struction on three light cruisers. Pro-
vision is made in the budget for $24S.-
100000 in pensions, $434, 564,0 $50 in
World val allowances and $40, 1889, 2S9
in retirement pay. Other items in
clude Sal, 764 $50 for rivers and har-
bors. s31,4S0,000 for good roads, $5,-
1880 for hospital construction and
facilities for war patients, $2,200,000
for railroads in Alaska, S6,SS9, Jos for
the Panama canal; $1S,553, 6S6 for
general law enforcement, including
administration and enforcement of the
national prohibition and narcotic acts
and the prosecution of war frauds and
$3.50, 900 for the replacement of worn
out portions ofsthe Alaska cable.