Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-17
Making Up the Budget
(Wa = h In 0tnVn Dnofl

WI oStJ
The task of making up the esti-
mates of appropriations for the next
fiscal year has been completed by
Gen: Lord, director of the bureau of
the budget. The economy program
outlined by President Harding and
carried forward under direction of
President Coolidge has been made
effective after exhaustive inquiry in
to every executive department and
Independent office.
The limit of appropriations to be
asked for by the Executive was fixed
by President Harding at $1,700, 000.-
600. President Coolidge. after full
inquiry. adhered to this figure and
instructed Gen. Lord TO continue the
work accordingly. 1t is now report
ed that the estimates have been made
up and the total will fall under ST.
100000, 900.
In order to hold the estimates down
to the figure named it was necessary
to reduce the preceding years figures
by 1926, 100000. When it is recalled
that President Harding had already
erected economies in the preceding
year 1t will be seen that a cut of
Sl26,0OO,O00 was not easy, especially
in view of the fact that the govern
ment is growing in accordance with
the growth of the country. The
task was not made any easier when
the combined preliminary estimates
of departments and independent Of
fees were found to be 1000, 600
above the Presidents limit.
The undertaking was begun by
| Gen. Lord, first under the personal
direction of President Harding and
then under President Coolidge. One
nf the ~ in he
list was an estimate of 100000 for
repairs and reconstruction of the
White House Gen. Lord struck it
out. When President Harding heard
of this he exclaimed: We'll, am ad-
Vocating economy, and if l don't
practice what / preach / will get no.
where. Cut 1t out" Later Presi-
dent Coolidge was consulted on this
item, and he, too, ordered it struck
out. So the White House improve
ments must wait.
When the vast range OF govern
mental activities is considered, some
| idea may be gained of the import
ance of the budget bureau in regu-
lating income and outgo. 1t is pop
ularly supposed that the adjusting of
revenue to expenditure is one of the
functions OF the Treasury Depart
ment, but this is an error. The
Treasury departments estimates are
subject to review and revision by the
Director of the Budget. as are all
other estimates. The Director of the
Budget acts under the direct orders
of the President and. reports to him.
Thus, for the first TIME in the history
of the government, the President has
direct control of the estimates and
expenditures throughout the execu-
tive departments and Independent
offices. He can curb an extravaganza
bureau or increase the allotment of
neglected one.
Naturally. the heads of. depart
ments must make real sacrifices
when they cooperate in cutting down
estimates. Individual interests must
give way. and projects of great merit
must be deferred. The pressure from
politicians is always eXerted in be-
half of more jobs and bigger salaries.
Senators and Representatives who
preach economy in the abstract are
promoters of extravaganza in the
concrete. 1t appears, however. that
the" department heads and independ-
ent commissions have worked faith
fully for retrenchment, and have ac-
cepted with as good grace as possible
the reductions made by Gen. Lord
DIS DuQS6L I1dkST tIle IIcSlucIlt.
There is reason to believe that the
activities of the government will not
be impaired by the economies effect
ed by adjustment of the budget. The
navy will receive enough to continue
construction of new vessels according
to the program already fixed. The
War Department will be enabled to
develop it's air force on a fairly lib
eral scale. The research and expert
mental work in connection with aero
nautics will be continued. as this is
justly regarded as preliminary to the
ultimate overhauling of the entire
system of national defense. tits also
reported that the Shipping Board will
be provided with sufficient funds to
operate the merchant marine in such
form as to preserve its national de-
Tense attributes until such time as
Congress may dispose Of the mer-
chant marine problem.
The Reclamation Service, under
the Interior Department, is in bad
shape. and undoubtedly Congress will
be asked to consider the problems
that have arisen by the failure of the
government to collect what 1t has
expended in irrigation projects. The
total expenditures have been over
SIPS, 100000. and the payments from
settlers have not reached $4,000, 900. 4
The paterna1ism of the government
has apparently been exercised with
out regard to the rights Of the whole
4 =