Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-05

Ihere was left. he said. only about
one billion dollars in charges subject
to administrative control and againss
which, he added, the retrenchmeny
policy of the government 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 considerable lessening of ex-
pendltures in the years to come.
Taking up the question of federal
ald' the executive declared that this
was rapidly broadening field of ex-
nendlture and that there was a aues-
tion as to how far the government
should participate in it. He added
that 1t did not pertain TO the normal
function of operations of the business
OF the government.
Taxes Necessary
. These extraneous activities he
continued, have flowed from laws en-
acted pursuant TO popular demand.
and | take this occasion to refer TO
them for the purpose of showing that
the taxation which necessarily re-
suits IN providing funds to meet them
Is necessary incident to the fulfill
menr of the popular demand.
In the efforts which have been
directed to reducing public expendi-
lures, | have been much concerned
In apparent increasing state. county
and municipal indebtedness, and [ am
fearful lest this condition may be in
part attributable TO the expenditures
made Inv fba
It's federal aid laws. as many of these
laws require state contributions as
prerequisite TO the extension of the
federal aid
The summary of the budget for
1874 as given TO congress shows an
estimated excess of receipts over ex-
penditures next year of S1S0.96a, ,125.
as compared with an estimated deficit
Of s213 3,93S,712 for this fiscal year.
The president said, however, that he
was hopeful that the estimated def
cit for 1923 could be reduced in the
semainlng seven months and that the
@ close OF the year next June would
show balance in the account.
Estimated expenditures of $3.50
~. "a. for 1924 which are exclusive
OF the postal service, compare with
estimated appropriation of S3,01S.-
1851. for the same period
air- Harding explained that the ex-
penditures would represent actual cash
withdrawals from the treasury. incIld-
ing some on account of appropriations
III previous years.
Postal Deficit
Another deficit in postal operations
vas forecast for this year, but Mr..
said it was estimated that
with the contemplated adjustments
there would be surplus of postal
revenues over expenditures in 1924
amounting To 1882, ,439. For this year
postal costs were placed at S5Ja. 900.
Sal, or an estimated deficiency of
sS1:502.57o. as compared with an
actual deficiency in the last fiscal wear
Of S64.346.234, The 1924 costs are
given ut S5S4, ,653. .151.
The president told congress that an
of S256.55 .SS7 recon-
nended for the army would provide a
regular force of 10000 officers and
$4,000 enlisted men. exclusive of the
Philippine scouts. which is the strength
low authorized by congress- and would
enable the militia bureau to increase
he strength of the national guard
rom 100000 officers and men TO
-lo,ooo officers and men. For the army
lir service, 81, ,S71 800 is proposed. or
a-o'"NN tSNs ttihh appropriated this
-ear. Mr.. Harding said this sum would
1ermlt the service to operate efficient
y in accordance with existing poiicv
For the navy $3.50, $50. .993 is asked
This amount, the president asserted
would provide for the present enlisted
personnel of $4,000 men: maintain alI
present ships in commission aud make
provision for continuing all new shin
in privately owned Yards
'3cept for reduction in speed of con.
'truction on three light cruisers
Provision is made in the budget for
'253. 100000 in pensions; S4S4. S64. .0sG
n world war allowances and 500. $50
,S9 in retirement pay. Other items in
dude S4f, ,T64,550 for rivers and har
.ors; S3i 100000 for good roads; s5.-
1890 for hospital construction and
ABILITIES for war patients; 81. .ooO, 600
or railroads in Alaska: S6,SS9, ,105 for
he Panama canal: S1S.553,6 ,6S3 for
general law enforcement. including ad-
and enforcement of the
rational prohibition and narcotic acts
ind the prosecution of war frauds: and
100000 for the replacement of worn
nut portions of the Alaska cable.