, 1923-02-10
National Rctrcnchment.

APPRECIATION for the lifting of burdens and
a saving of dollars and cents for the people, is
not readily shown and is soon forgotten; and as
has often been said, and, unfortunately, with too
great truth, that while the people Of the country
desire and demand retrenchment in public expen-
ditures, they arc seldom grateful to those who nut
it into effect. The present national administra.
ton has the distinction of ~effecting the greatest
retrenchment in federal expenditures in our his.
tory. 1T remains to be seen whether the taxpayers
Of the country will show their gratitude in future
support of the men and the party who have kept
the faith and performed a promised task.
This reference to reduction in expenses does not
relate to peace-time expenditures as COMPARED with
expenditures for the prosecution of war. It is
common knowledge that after the armistice, and
while the Democratic party was still in power
in the administration of the affairs of the govern
ment, it was only compulsion exerted by Republi
cans in congress that the Wilson regime was in.
duced to demobilize the military forces and reduce
the number of civilian employees, The Wilson ad-
ministration was as slow in getting out of military
mobilization as it was. in getting in. The Republi-
cans cut a billion and n half dollars out of Dem
ocratic estimates for expenditures.
But the present discussion has reference to re-
auctions in peace expenditures. The president set
the example by cutting White House expenditures,
and then urged upon the head of every executive
department to cut expenses to the bone. On the
recommendation Of the president, congress reduced
taxes in a number of particulars, we'll known
to the public, and this meant reduced revenue.
Last July, at the beginning of the present fiscal
year all indications were that in this twelve
months to end June 30, next, there would be Elk.
penditures exceeding the receipts by almost $780,
100000. That was an enormous prospective def
cit, but 1t did not Tease Mr.. Harding, who has been
up against prospective deficits in his private
business. He called a meeting of business heads
in the government service, and asked for help in
reducing expenses.
The result thus far has been exceedingly salts
factory. Better in fact than was thought possible.
1t has been a surprise to the Democrats, who
sneeringly commented upon Republican retrench-I
Iment plans. In the first half of the fiscal year,
which covers the last half of the calendar year,
1922, the prospective deficit was reduced approx
mately $425, 100000, leaving the deficit in prospect
tistics were compiled for submission to congress
early in December, last. Since then there has been
a further review of conditions in the business of
the government and in his address to the meeting
of bureau heads a few days ago the president was
able to submit figures which indicated that the
deficit will be only $92,000.00O, showing a reduction
thus far of about $600,000,000.
The credit is due TO what is commonly called
the administration the president, the cabinet
heads, the congress and the employees of the gov.
Grafton of all of these the splendid showing of
economy could not have been made. 1t is a big
machine to handle but it was successfully handled
because to save was the first policy of the admin
i~stration. Economy became q necessity after the
wasteful extravagance of the previous regime and
the threat of bankruptcy that stared the govern
nent in The face. 1t was not a question OF pop
ularity with TIE Republican party and its meIn-I
bers in the government it was n question of pre-
serving the nations credit and honor. And il
is not the first time by any manner OF means that
the Republican party has done this same thing
for the American people.
If the people are satisfied to have their taxes
reduced. and both ends of the government finances
meet, after the chaotic state in which these things
were left by predecessors, it is no moro than conf
mon everyday politeness to assure the president
and his party members that their faithfulness is
appreciated.