The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-06-20
TURNING DEFICITS
into SURPRISES

The second complete fiscal year
under the Harding administration will
end June 80. 1t will close with a
cash surplus well in excess of $780,
100000. When the fiscal year began
it was estimated there would be a de-
ficit at the present time of approx
mately $750,000, 200.
That the estimated deficit has been
transformed into an accumulated sur
plus is due to the business admins |
tration of President Harding and his
executive associates. They were able
to put into practice their business
ideas because of the budget act, which
was one of the first laws passed by
the last Republican congress when
called into special session by Presi-
dent Harding. The budget law passed
by the Republican congress at that
time was practically identical with
one passed by the previous Republi-
can congress but vetoed by President
Wilson.
The budget law made possible the
splendid fiscal administration OF
President Harding, but it cannot be
over-emphasized that the budget law
did not make such an administration
imperative. There is no truth in the
argument that now that the law is
on the books it little matters which
party is entrusted with its admins
t~ration.
No law operates automatically.
The fulfillment of its letter and it's
spirit depends upon the personnel of
those entrusted with its administra-
ton. The human equation is and must
always be the dominating factor in
popular Cover nment quite as surely
as it is in private business.
No system of government can be
efficient unless it is directed by men
who are efficient. No law can bring
about reforms in financial admins
tration of the government by the
mere fact that it is upon the statute
books. The history of budget sys-
TENS which have been in operation
IN various states clearly proves that
where the public falls into the error
Of relying upon a budget law rather
than upon its administrators to bring
about economy they are doomed to
disappointment.
The individuals who compos the
executive branch of the government
under the leadership of President
Harding must be given the credit for
the splendid financial condition of the
United States. 1t has been accom-
plished because those Republican ex-
ecutives responsible for the prepare
ton and submission of the budget
were determined to bring about the
greatest possible reduction of public
expenditures consistent with efficient
administration 1t has been brought
about because following the appro-
priations asked for in the budget
there has been an especial effort on
the part of the Harding administra-
ton to restrict expenditures to essen
tials-
For the first time in the history OF
| this republic it has been able the rule
to save as much out of appropria-
tons as possible, instead of spending
all the appropriations simply because
they available. There has beer
under. this administration competition
In economy among the various bu.
I reaus, whereas before there was com
\ petition in expenditures which re
suited N a riot Of waste and extrav
I agance.
Under the leadership of Presideni
1 Harding an entirely new spirit hal
been infused in the executive branche,
of the government Administrative,
4 officials from the highest 30 the low
est have hsd It impressed upon then