Evening star., 1923-07-01
Expected Deficit of $685.
100000 Turned Into Saving
of $780, 1000, 900.
RECEIPTS UNEXPECTEDLY
BOOSTED DURING PERIOD
Operating Expenses Reduced by
$2S7 900, ,000-Result Better I
Than Experts Sought.

.o4SiO oohi hIiiSileu HIS nScdk year
1923 last night with flying colors.
according to latest information
available at the Office of Director
Lord OF the bureau of the budget.
which indicated surplus of s3lo,-
100000 instead of the threatened
prospective deficit early in the year.
of $685., 100000.
The surplus estimated last night
is moro than SO per cent larger than
that prophesied by President Hard
ing and, Gen. Lord before the business
organization of the government, June
| IL. when it was predicted it would prob-
ably be 5000. 200, 900.
creation of the surplus had been
possible. 1t was explained through an
increase in receipts of s767,0oo,o0o
, and reduction in the estimated
total expenditures of s36e,oeo,0oo.
Increases Large.
The large and unexpected increases
| in the receipts have been considered
heavy factor in the change Of an
unfavorable prospect into a success
full conclusion Of the year with the
balance on the right side of the led
ger. but one factor which is agreed
! among government circles to have
been major influence is the pressure
exerted by President Harding through
his bureau of the budget upon the
actual expenditures. for running the
| federal machine.
| The total cut in expenditures for
the year as compared with year
previous was estimated last night
at s265. ZOO. 900. while reduction In
what is considered the .tordinary on
Grating expenditures OF the govern
ment" mounted still higher TO the
figure Of ses7.ooo,oo0. The diffsrence
between the two svAs accounted for
by expenditures on account Of capital
outlays. operations In special ac-
counts such as failreads, the War III
nance Corporation, the Emergency
Fleet Corporation refunds OF tax res
ceipts. and interest on and retirement
Of the public debt.
Operations Extensive.
Il The size of the governments oper-
ations was indicated by the figures
showing total appropriations for the
year, including deficiency bills, to, be
s3,s46, 100000, while the total cash
withdrawals were estimated at ss,-;
6ss. .oo0, 900.
Increase in receipts, it was ex-
planned. was due to an increase OF
s213,000.oo0 in customs. $4,000. 600
in internal revenue and $4,000, 600
in miscellaneous.
Although the government had in-.
creased receipts in its favor, therA
were factors working against IL in
the form of refunds of tax receipts,
which increased by 100000, 600, re-
funds of customs receipts which
totaled s2s.soo.o0o. and a postal de-
felt of ss2,oO0.ooo.
Post Once Suffers.
The postal service had total ap-t
preparation during the year of $685.
o0e.oo0. which was far from suffi-
cient to meet the expenses OF the
service, but for the next year, it is
estimated that on account Of the In
creased business anticipated, and In
deed. already being felt. the postal
service, will not only meet expenses,
but may be able to turn in SUR
plus, instead of deficit. The postal
service surplus for 1924 Is variously
estimated now up to a million
dollars.
Customs showed surprising i'm
i crease over the earlier estimates, a
prospective $35o.0e0.0oo growing to-
receipts of approximat tely $685., 900, GOO.
Last year customs turned in 1885,
100000 to the federal treasury. The
customs refunds this year were about
. the same as last.
Back Taxes Help.
The increase In internal reyenus
receipts. which aggregated $423, 600, J
600. was partly caused by the CAM.
paign waged by the Treasury for COLI
lection of back taxes, before the
statute of limitations should operate
against their collection. This back
tax collection by the government.
although IL resulted In a large in-s
crease OF refunds, as old tax claims.
were fought out before the bar Of
the Treasury. brought in a highly
ubstantial net return to Uncle Sam.
The decrease In estimated total ex-'
penditures of $366, 100000 was said to
be the result Of reductions Of $751;
000, 900 In general expenditures. 345.-
5000 in interest on the public debt
and q net decrease Of s170.ooo.ooo in
capital outlays, operations in special
accounts and retirement OF the pub
Lie debt required to be made from orr
dinary receipts. 4
Achievement EnusuaI.
Success Of the Treasury.s operations
/, In refunding the s>art dated debt and
In reducing the public tsk. Of the
United states from its earlier high
level have contributed further 20
make the past year one Of unusual
Iaccomplishments In the control Of the
, finances Of the American government,
I Details OF this branch OF the
. Treasury activity for the year have
/ not yet been made public by Secre7s
tary Mellon. but 1t is anticipated
that reports may shortly be forth
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4 Il