New Britain herald., 1922-09-20

essentials of government activities. It
 mas been difficult and unpopular
 task' It Is vastly more applauded to
 expend them than to deny. After
 nearly year and a quarter of in-
 s'stence and persuasion, with a con-
 certed drive to reduce government
 expenditure in every quarter possible,
 It would wipe out everything thus far
 accomplished to add now to the pro-
 posed burden, and 1t would rend the
 commitment of economy and saving
 so essential to our future welfare. The financial problems of the gov
 ernment are too little needed until VIC
 are face to face with a great emer-
 gency. The diminishing Income of
 the government, due to the receding
 tides of business and attending in-
 comes, has been overlooked momen-
 tarily, but cannot be long ignored.
 The latest budget figures for the cur
 rent fiscal year show an estimated
 deficit Of more than $s50,000,0O0,
 and a further deficit for the year
 succeeding, even after counting upon
 all interest collections on foreign in-
 debtedness which the government is likely to receive. To add to our
 pledges to pay. except as necessity
 compels must seem no less than eov- ornmental folly. Inevitably 1t means increased taxation, which congress
 was unwilling to levy for the pur-
 pose of this bill, and will turn us
 from the course toward economy 50 essential to promote the activities which contribute to common welfare.
 Regrets Disappointing Veterans.
 It is to be remembered that the United States played no self-seeking part in the world war. and pursued an unselfsh policy after the cause was won. We demanded no repara- ton for the cost involved, no pay ments out of which obligations to our soldiers could be met. I have not magnified the willing outlay in behalf of those to whom we have sacred obligation. It is essential to remember that more than four-bil lion-dollar pledge to the able-bodied ex-service men now will not diminish the later obligations which will have to be met when the younger veter- ans of today shall contribute to the rolls of the aged, indigent and de- pendent. It Is as inevitable as that the years will pass that pension pro- visions for world war veterans will be made, as 1t has been made for those who served in previous wars. It will cost more billions than I ven- ture to suggest. There will be jus tification when the need is apparent, and rational financial policy today Ia necessary to make the nation ready l for the expenditures which Is certain to be required in the coming years. The contemplation of such a policy Is in accord with the established prac- tice of the nation, and puts the serv- ice men of the world war on the same plane as the millions of men @who fought the previous battles of the Republic.
 I confess a regret that l must sound the note of disappointment to the many ex-service men who have the impression that it is as simple a matter for the government to oesto" billions in peace as it was to expect billions in war. I regret to stand be- tween them and the pitiably small compensation proposed. I dislike to be out of accord with the majority of congress which has voted the be- stowal.
 The simple truth Is that this bill proposes a government obligation of more than four billions without provision of funds for the extraordi- nary expenditure, which the execu- tive branch of the government must f1nance n the face of difficult finan- cial problems, and the complete de- feat of our commitment to effect economies I would rather appeal, therefore, to the candid reflection of ] and the country, and to the x-service men in particular, as to the ,ourse better suited to further the welfare of our country These ex- soldiers who served so gallantly in war, and who are to be so conspicu- ous in the progress of the republic in he half century before us, must know that nations can only survive where taxation is restrained from he limits of oppression, where the public treasury is locked against class egislation, but ever open to public and prepared to meet all es- ;ential obligations. Such policy makes better country for which to | fight, or to have fought, and affords , ! surer abiding place in which to live i md attain. 2
 WARREN c. HARDING. The White House, Sept. 19. 1922. t