Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-06
COOLIDGE AND ECONOMY

COOLIDGE AND ECONOMY
Every householder acquainted with
the struggle OF living UP or down
to a budget, every Taxpayer who
feels that taxes should be reduced
ought to stand back Of President
Coolidge these days when his veto
is the only check on Congress In its
desire to please those who elect
congressman. The head of any con-
Germ, be 1t government or a bust =
ness, cannot adhere to the policy OF
economy without making opposition.
We are all willing to turn to and re-
form the other fellow: we are all
willing for the government to econ
omize IL it isn't done with depriva-
ton on our part. Moreover 1t often
happens that somewhat of benefit is
checked by economy, the real test of
which Is the greatest good to the
greatest number.
In vetoing the Bursum pension bill
the President said in his message to
Congress:
For the next fiscal year the eff
feet of this act will be to take an
additional $5S,000,0O0 of the money
paid by the taxpayers of the ma
ton and add it to the pension
checks of the veterans of the wars
from 1872 to 1902 and their widows
and dependents. This Is the eff
feet for the first year, but the
burden upon the taxpayers will con-
tinue for many years to come.
While impossible of accurate esti-
nation the Commissioner of Pen
sions states that the proposed ad-
dition to the pension roll will total
approximately $242,000.OO0 for the
first five years and $415, 100000 for
the first ten years.
mo conditions exist which justify
ithe imposition OF this additional
burden upon the taxpayers of the
milton. All our pensions were re-
Vised and many liberal increases
made no longer ago than 1920. Every
survivor of the Civil War draws $50
per month and those in need of
regular aid and attendance, which
already includes 41.000 of them,
draw $72 per month. As others
come to need this the law already
gives 1t to them. The act also pro-
war period from April 10, 1866 to
Aug. 20. 1866, so that those who en-
listed during this year and four
months of peace now become eligible
for the same treatment as those who
Fought throughout the war. There
are other questionable provisions
providing for the pensioning of
civilians, and relating to the pen
sloning OF certain classes of widows.
. But the main objection to the
whole bill Is the unwarranted ex-
'penditure of the money OF the tax
payers. 1t proposes to add more
than 20 per cent. to the cost OF the
pension rolls. 1t is estimated that
1t would bring the total pension bin
or the country TO point higher
than ever before reached, notwith.
standing II Is now nearly sixty years
since the close of the Civil War. A
generous nation increased it's PEN
sions to well over a quarter of n bill
lion annually. and has already be-
slowed nearly $6,250.000000 in PEN
stpns upon the survivors of that
conflict and their dependents"
while there has been some de-
grease In the annual expense. it Is
now proposed by n horizontal in
crease to pay all survivors $72
each month, without regard to age,
to their physical condition or
financial condition. With the other
proposals a new high record of cost
would be established.
"The need for economy in public
expenditure at the present time can
not be overestimated. am for
economy. I am against every I'M
necessary payment of the money of
the taxpayers. No public require
frent at the present time ranks with
the necessity for the reduction of
taxation. This result cannot be
secured unless those in AUTHORITY
cease TO pass laws which increase
the permanent cost of government.
The burden on the taxpayers must
not be increased; It must be de-
creased.
Every proposal for legislation
must be considered in the light OF
this necessity. The cost of COM
modities is diminishing. Under
such conditions. the cost of govern
ment ought not to be increasing.
The welfare of the whole country
must be considered. The desire to
do Justice to pensioners. however
great their merit, must be attended
by some solicitude to do Justice TO
taxpayers. The advantage of
class cannot be greater than the
welfare Of the nation"
This country is now paying $685.
100000 annually in pensions. Then
there are 100000 ex-service men
and their relatives who may be ex-
pected later to seek pensions.
Economy should not begin with nor
be confined to those who are our
sx-service men. but they are inter-
ested in an economical administra-
ton OF the government affairs, a.
much so as any OF us. Having
helped to save the country they
have q stake in its future. They
should see that what the President
IL now doing is what he believes to
be for the good Of the country. We
-beaieve they will eventually arrive
at that conclusion. They ought to be
able to recognize courage.
when IL takea bNt % hotare for a