Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-12

Opened by
Republicans
Congressman W. ]. Graham
Of Illinois Urges 500 Ne.
brssksns to Keep Eff.
cicnt Government.
Tells Of Extravaganza

ASAIo Va AHsaoVo6osSSS
Lincoln, MAY ll.-(Speeial Trle-
gram, )-Republicans. 500 strong. lis
tened here tonight 10 the bid OF a
republican congress Tor reelection
TO continue a struggle TO restore ei-
iicieney and economy into the federal
government. which in the words OF
Congressman w. ]. Graham OF H.
linois. principal speaker OF the eve
ring, was on the verge OF bankruptcy
when the democratic administration
was showed into the discard by the
biggest majority in the history OF the
country.
First. the Illinois congressman de-
seribed graphically the alleged rcek-
less abandon with which the demo-
Gratis threw billions OF dollars into
wasteful and useless extravaganza
until the heads OF his audience grew
dizzy.
Information First Hand
1t was not second hand information
which he conveyed to the men and
women assembled. Congressman
Graham was member OF an invcsti-
CATION committee OF war extrava-
ganccs and his figures on democratic
expenditures in the operation OF the
railroads by the government, the con-
tinuance OF purchase OF war supplies
alter the war ended, the allowances
CT millions in claims alleged to be
political pie" for administration ia
vorites and the handling Of. tho Mus
Gle Shoales project came from the
lips OF man who was on the ground
when the discoveries we're made.
After lifting the curtain on the
monstrous expenditures and appro-
priations made by the democratic
administration. Congressman Gra-
ham described progress made by
republican congress to restore as
rapidly as possible government liv-
ing within its income.
t Reavis Also Speaks.
The Illinois congressman was aid
ed in his efforts to bring the true
conditions at Washington home TO
his hearers by c. Frank Reavis. re-
tiring First district congressman
who sang his swan song tonight be-
fore the appreciative audience.
Congressman Reavis recited figures
OF millions appropriated by the last
administration for armament for
army and navy. Then he told of the
millions saved by the fepublicafi con-
gress on this armament as a result
of the four power treaty inauauar.
ated by President Harding. guided
by Secretary Hughes and ratified
by Z republican senate.
THE government is being oper.
ated at saving of $4,0OO, 900 . day
over the daily cost of government
operated by the democratic admins
tration," Congressman Reavis said.
Governor Delivers Jolts.
Then Gov. McKelvie delivered a
few jolts at the democratic claims in
the state campaign. He described the
efficiency of co-ordinated RESPONSE
Bile government under the code sys-
tenn as against the old bureau and
commission system of government,
the savings effected by the initiation
OF the budget system Of government
aud the record breaking slash Of
more than $2,000,0OO in appropria-
tons made at the special session OF
the legislature.
G. A. McCloud Of York in
tloduced the speakers. 1t was the
first statewide meeting OF repub-
licans in preparation for the cam
paign. Numerous republican candi-
dates were on hand all during the
day shaking hands and engaging in
friendly banter with their oppo-
nents.
Congressman w. ]. Graham told
his hearers that the republican party
is struggling successfully to lift the
nation from "legacy,of debt" placed
OH its shoulders by the last admins
tration.
The country is faced with debt
Of $4,000, 100000 at the present time
ne declared, and $l4,80O, ,OOO, 900, he
asserted, it attributable to the fol-
lowing causes:
Probable waste in war contracts.
~ .250.O00,0 900; illegal loans to foreign
countries, $1,000, 900, 900; shipping
program. $3,300,O00,000; government
operation OF railroads $2,o5O, OOO, 900.
Summarizes Achievements.
Briefly Congressman Graham sum-
married. the achievements of the re-
publican administration so far
in handling the problems left it. His
summary follows:
In the first year we paid off $35,-
100000 of the principal of this debt.
I'VE found the most disastrous
revenue system with which the coun-
try was ever cursed.
We passed new law and re-
duced the burden of taxes upon the
people by $8lo, 100000 year.
1--WE found the Liberty bonds SELL
ing for IS cents on the dollar.
we brought them to par.
Reduce Armed Forces.
"We found an army of 23O, 900 men.
I'VE have reduced it to l35.0OO.
"We found navy of l33,765.
we have reduced it to 5000.
I'VE found an inflated per capita
circulation of money of $5.73.
We reduced it by March /, 1922,
to 1896.
we found total appropriations
for 1920 of $685. ,259, ,4l5.37.
I'VE reduced it in 1922 to $780,
782, 2,2O0.46.
1--WE found 640.l7s civil employees.
I'VE reduced them in one year by
7l,84o.
"NNe found the dnors ok o,. en,,n