Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-05

were not realized the expected sur
plus for 1884 would give . margin
To take care Of q deficit.
In his message accompanying the
detailed budget, the president frank
~ told Congress that whether the
country could look forward to any
further material reduction In federal
expenditures and taxes In future
years depended largely upon whether
there was curtaiiment or expansion
OF federal aid in lines Of research,
Improvement and development.
Attention was called by the exc
cutiye that approximately two thirds
of the estimated outlay was on at
count of practically fixed charges.
such as pensions and World War
allowances. public debt, principal
and interest, federal aid and national
defense, so that there was only
about $1,000, 100000 subject to ad-
ministrative control.
washington, Dec. 4. (By A. P.)-
President Harding, in transmitting
tile annual administration budget for
the next fiscal year. frankly told Con-
rress today that whether there was TO
he any material reduction in govern
mcnt expenditures and in taxes IN
future years would depend largely
upon whether there was to be cur
tailment or expansion Of Federal aid
in lines of research, improvement and
development.
Placing the estimated government
outlay in 1924 at 3s.lSo.s4S.23i a de-
crease of about s50o.o0c.o 900. as COM
pared with estimates Tor 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 debt.
pensions, world war allowances ana
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.
While expressing the opinion that
some further reduction undoubtedly
would result from a reorganization OF
government establishments on a more
scientific basis, the President said
this alone would not affect such
material cut in operating costs as
would justify the expression Of hope
for a considerable lessening OF ex-
penditures in the years to come.
Taking up the question of Fedeial
aid the executive declared that tins
vas a rapidly broadening field of ox-
Ienditure and that there was a qucs-
ton as to how far the government
should participate in St. He added
that it did not permit TO normal func-
tons or operations of the business 81
government.
These extrareous activities" We
continued, have flowed from laws
enacted pursuant to popular demand
and take this occasion TO refer them
for the purpose OF showing that the
taxation which necessarily results in
providing funds to meet them is nee
cssary incident 10 the fulfilment Of
the popular demand.
I'm the efforts which have been di-
rected TO reducing public expend-
lures. l have been much concerned
in APPARENT increasing state, county
ond municipal Indebtedness, and I
am fearful lest this condition may he
in part attributable TO the expendi-
TIRES made by the government pur-
srant to its federal aid laws. as many
OF these state laws require state con-
trlbutions as a prerequisite to the
extension OF the Federal aid"
The summary of the budget for
1924 as given to Congress shows an
estimated excess OF receipts over OK
penditures next year CT s1S0,969.1s5
as compared with an estimated def
cit of $273,93S,712 for the fiscal year.
The President said, however, that lie
was hopeful that the estimated deficit
Tor 1923 could be reduced in the re-
raining z months and that the close
OF the year next June 80 would show
q balanced account.
Estimated expenditures of $3.50
SaS,234 for 1924. which are exclusive
CT the postal service. compare with
estimated appropriation Of s3,o7s,s4o.-
aol Tor the same period. Mr.. Hard
ing explained that the expenditures
would represent actual cash with
crawais from the treasury, including
me ON account Of appropriations in
previous years.
announcer deficit in postal operations
was forecast for this year, but Nj.
harding said it was estimated that
lhrough proper establishments there
would be surplus OF postal revenues
over expenditures in 1874 amounting
70 sSoz.439 For this year postal costs
were placed at $55s,93s.s4., or an es-
'hnated deficiency Of S3l,5Oe,57o. as
compared with an actual deficiency in
me last fiscal year Of S64,346,2S4. The
'oz4 costs are given at S5slGS3.l5l.
me president told Congress that
ar appropriation Of s25s.S52,ss7 rec
9mmended for the army would pro-
s'ae LOT regular force OF 10000 Of
I,cers and $4,000 men. exclusive OF
me Fhiilppine scouts, which is the
strehgth now authorized by Congress
'''u would enable the militia bureau
. increase the strength of the Ma
l'ohai Guard from l60, 900 officers and
men TO 215,000 officers and men. For
me army air service 4l2.S71.5OO Is
proposed, or $23,5oo less than appro-
: rated this year. Mr.. Harding said
ms sum would permit the service TO
'oerate efficiently in accordance with
policy.
r for the navy S2s9.ss0.9os ia asked.
us amount. the President asserted,
.ou'u provide for the present Gu
.n.ea personnel Of $4,000 men; main
,snn all present ships in commission
mo make provision for continuing all