Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-30
And This Is Economy!

~ OVERNMENT finances under Repub-
lican reform" are In the plight If
the man from whom was banished
plaguing spirit that soon returned with seven
other devils more deadly than itself: And
the last state of that man was worse than
the first"
Economy! efficiency" cried the new ad-
ministration "Out with Democratic extrava-
cancel" That was nearly two years ago
ample time, assuredly, for results. Yet, with
less than ninety days of the fiscal year 1922
% EXPIRED the administration presents de-
ficiency bill for upwards of six hundred and
thirty-five thousand dollars. Let the deficits
and huge expenditures of the preceding
twelvemonth be as bygones; grant that so
long period was required for the incoming
wizards of finance to overcome inherited
handicaps and fairly get their bearings. But
what Of this more than half million now
figured by themselves on a slate of their own
making?
At this rate, reasons Representative Byrnes
OF South Carolina, the total deficiencies for
the current fiscal year will amount to little
less than quarter of billion. Regular ap-
preparations, exclusive of deficiencies, now
aggregate three billion, seven hundred and
forty-seven million dollars-so much to start
with. Nov we begin to climb" says he,
land judging from the beginning, deficfen-
cies this year are going to reach more than
wo hundred million dollars. If they do,
then instead OF there being any reduction in
the total appropriations for 1928, there is
going to be an actual increase in the appro-
priations for 1928 over those for the year
1922. And that it is fair to say that these
deficiency appropriations are going to be
made is evident, for we now have in sight the
appropriation for the Liberian loan, which
undoubtedly will be authorized by the Senate
and has already been authorized by the
House. The appropriation to cover the scrap
ping of naval vessels must be supplied, and
will require $75,00O,000 in the estimate Of
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kelley,
and for roads at least SIS, 100000 additional.
So that any man who considers the financial
statement of appropriations at this time must
realize that we now face the certainty that in
1928 this Congress is going to authorize the
expenditure Of a larger sum than was au-
thorized for the year 1922"
More than for 1922, when they lowered
above four billion, sixty-six million dollars!
But the Democratic Congressman reckons
much more leniently than does the Republic
can President. Mr.. Harding, in his message
vetoing the Bonus bill, estimated the prob
able deficiencies of 1929 at six hundred
and fifty million dollars. Is this what the
prophets of Normally meant when they Wis
toned forth a future Of subsding expendi-
lures, easing tax burdens, and shrinking costs
of living? Is this the econom (lack Of
which they fervidly charged against Demo-
cratic administration bearing the World
Wars load) which the country was prom
ised? The party now in power has succeed
ed undeniably in raising tariff taxes to the
highest known pitch; but it has failed, and
failed beyond it's hardest critics expectations,
to reduce governmental bills.