The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-12-04
President Harding Before Con-
gress With Plan Today.
Emphasizes More Rigid
Economy With Public Funds.
WARNS AGAINST MORE SLICES
Additional SIashes Not To Be
Approved by Administration.
Interest on Public Debt Nearly
0ne-Third of Expenditures.

Washington. Dec. 4.-The budget of
the United States government for the
fiscal year beginning July /, 1928,
providing for appropriations aggregat-
ing S3.O7S, ,94O.331 for the operation of
the federal government. was transmit
ted to congress today by President
Harding.
The total estimate is $685. .292,359
less than the appropriations already
made for the current fiscal year.
This reduction was made possible. the
president said in a message accom-
panying the budget. by pursuing pol
icy emphasizing the need Of more
rigid economy in the expenditure Of
public funds"
He took occasion at the same time.
however. 70 warn congress that 1uF-
ther slashes would not be approved
by the administration
while il may be possible ITesi-
dent Harding said. ito make Il small
reduction IA items here and there, no
material reduction Will necessitate a
change in the administrative pOlcy
upon which estimates of appropria-
tions for the fiscal year 1929 are
based
The president gave the estimate of
expenditures for the next fiscal year
as $S.1SO.S O.S4S.234. pointing out that
the estimate of cash Withdrawals IS to
he distinguished from the estimate OF
anDIOlI lAilllS ERlllaAlAHAl III LAAt blAh=HN
s.nce Withdrawals during the fiscal
year viii be made from previous ap-
propriations as well as from appropri-
ations recommended in the budget.
Reduce Deficit
In the beginning of the message, the
president called attention to the re-
ductiou in the prospective deficit for
the current fiscal year from S697. 49,
231 TO S2IS.93S,712, due to continued
pressure for economies and a revision
-.
pressed hope that the close of the year
JVne 80. 1923, would show a balanced
account.
The total ordinary receipts for the
fiscal year 1929. excluding postal
revenues. was estimated at s3,261.S12.-
369, which Is S474.291.791 less than
the actual receipts for 1922 and
S6S.O5O. 900 less than the estimated re-
ceipts for 1928. The postoffice de-
partment incurred large deficits in
1921 and 1922. but is expected during
the coming fiscal year. President
Harding said. to yield a surplus of
more than S95O,JO0-
That we app Oach the commence
meut of the fiscal year 1924 with an
estimated surplus for that year of
S1S0,969, 10 is certainly most encour-
aging" he continued. While I am
hopeful there will be no deficit in the
current fiscal year, 1923, if such a
deficit does occur. this surplus for
1924 will give 4 margin to take care
of it,
Where Money Goes.
The estimated appropriations for
next year provide S1O3,07O.SS6 for
general functions, including the legis-
lative. judicial. executive and general
administrative operations of the gov
ernment; S1,256.7 6.715,939 for military
functions. inclI ding Pensions World
war allowances and the national de-
fense; 1858. .599.0 096 for civil functions
which includes law enforcement.
Ia nf he
etc, ana S1,155,T2 6O2 for non-func-
tions, such as payment of interest on
the public debt and other fixed
charges.
The amounts recommended for the
national defense are designed to pro-
vide for an army of 1000 officers
and 125.00O enlisted men, the force
now authorized by congress, and a
navy of $4,000 men.
President Harding declared the re-
trenchment policy of the government.
since the signing of the armistice had
resulted in a most satisfactory reduc-
ton in the expenditure of public
moneys and then put the question:
War the Cause
Can there be d reasonable exoecta-
ton for further considerable reduc-
tion in government expenditure in the
near future -
This question is no doubt upon the
lips of many" he continued The
burden of taxation caused by the
world war has borne heavily upon us
all and II has been the earnest desire
or the government to reduce this bur-
den to the minimum consistent with a
proper functiCning of the federal serv
ices We have seen. however. that an
proXimately two-thirds of the taxes
collected IS to pay certain fixed
charges over he expenditure of which
there can be exercised little or no ad
ministrative control The interest on
the public debt. the chief of the fixed
charges. mus be paid. This will be
$3.50. 900 for the fiscal year 1924
constituting 1-early one-third of the
total exp 0nditure of the government.
Among these also are certain perrna
nent and indefinite appropriations
sanctioned by law and public OpiuiOr