Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-07-01
FURTHER BUDGET CUT j
asked BY PRESIDENT
Mr.. Coolidge, IN address to Business
Organization Of Government, Points
to Reductions Made. ~r.>

$1,000, 100000. ana stands.at an esti-
mated amount Of $21 ,25A, 0OO, 600. which
Is reduction in three years ol
sZ.1z2.0OO,000, and means q. saving al
interest of more than $120Oo0, 0oe
each year
This, shows that the intensive
campaign which was commenced three
years ago has been waged unrele mt
mgiy. In this campaign we have had
the active cooperation and suprGr,
presented BY the Chief Execuhive .te
the Congress have carried drazth.
progressive reductions in their, sstt
mates for funds. Congress has al:
hered to budget procedure in passing
tions granted have been in harmony
with the financial program Of the
Chief Executive.
When we met six months ago ]
stated to you that this fight for econ
omy had but one purpose-that its
benefits would accrue to the whole
people through reduction in taxes
Taxes have wbeen reduced. While
our immediate need Is for tax reform
as distinguished from tax reduction,
we must continue this campaign for
economy so as to make possible fur
Their tax reduction. We owe this to
the people of our nation, to the peo-
pie who must pay with their tDil
afforded must be only the beginning
so in all your efforts, in all your
sacrifices, you must bear in mind
that you are making them for the
be no nobler cause or one showing
higher patriotism. Bear in mind al
ways that We are here as the servants
OF the people, and that only AZ we
serve them well and faithfully shall
we succeed
Emcfency Required.
This insistent demand for economy
and reduction, in expenditures neces-
sarily requires increasing efficiency
of administration. realize that IT
is making An eyer-increasing can
responsible officials. But this Is a call
for real service. 1t demands a most
searching inquiry into the field of
your activities SO as to remove en-
tirely from them all elements which
are not essential, and so as to cur
tail all those which may be reduced
without prejudice to the welfare of
the nation.
IF there is any question as to the
authority of heads Of departments or
establishments to discontinue or re-
duce any phase of existing work. it
is my desire that they report the
matter to me. The duty and the op-
portunity today of the government 8
new fields of enterprise. On the other
hand, it is their duty and opportunity
to carry on approved and necessary
activities with the smallest possible
expenditure
I'm the past twenty years the gov
ernment's activities have developed
and multiplied in a most extraordi-
nary way. Certainly the initiation
of new activities should be discour-
aged unless essential to the we'll
10
istrators of the governments great
business interests, should have at
this time only one thought and pol
lcy-to perform efficiently the func-
lions devolving upon US under the
law. And we should accomplish this
with the smallest possible demand
upon the Treasury. We have made
real progress in this direction. Our
responsibility to the taxpayers de-
mands further progress.
fiscal year. We will have a smaller
revenue by reason of the lessening
of the burden of the taxpayer under
the new tax law. On the other hand,
we will have an increase in our fixed
charges. The world war adjusted
compensation act alone adds annrox-
imately $780,, 200, 900 to. our, fired
charges for 1925.
"A real battle faces US, but we
are organized for the fight. The best
approximately s25, osG, 900 for tke next
fiscal year. This estimate is predicatei
on an expenditure program which,
exclusive of the redemption OF the
I desire that this expenditure nro.
gram be reduced by $50, eco 600.
DO. not contemplate total expenditures
Tor the next fiscal year, which will
exceed $4,000, 600. 900 exclusive Of the
resumption of the public debt. This
Will give us a Surnlus, af tt-a nn.a %
1925 Of sos, 000, 600 This. or a great
er surplus. should be our aim.
,na The people have faith in US. We
and our accomplishments are also
serving as inspiration to the other
nations of the world We ar set-
ting the example for reduction In the
cost OF government and for return
Ihere can be no faltering.- Our duty
Is plain. As we have progressed in
these last three years, so we must
continue.
Question OF Perp~nnel
You. with your intimate knavI-
edge OF the details of your work
know where further practical econo-
mics can be effected. I desire, how
ever that you give especial attention
20 nte matter Of personnel This is
expenditures. We must reduce the
government pay roll. I am satisfied
that it will lead to greater ediciene.v
And. in this same connection I desire
careful scrutiny Of travel orders
Our travel expense item is too 1reat.
An order for travel should be given
only when absolutely necessary. You
can erect economy in this item.
further fertile field for economy
IS the item OF printing and binding.
L no k1>sS
Der or government publications vhich b
come to my attention. 1t cannot he
that all are necessary.
In this effort for economy and
co-ordinating agencies created bv
executive order have played q most
important part. The necessity and
value OF coordination have been
clearly demonstrated. 1t has brought
the departments and establishment {
into intimate contact. Contr.dictarx
plans. conflicting procedures, have been
supplanted by common plans and
harmonious procedures. It is esse initial
that this work go ON. I realize the
s demands upon the members of
the several co-ordtnatiHg boards.
They have also their departmsntal
work to perform. This calls axain
FOR q resi- sacrifice, but for q sacrifice
in the interest," Of the t4xpayers.
rrni You IL are s+ now gfspering ye0r pre-
1898. For th4t fiscal year it viii be
my purpose to tr1assnft to ConKrees
estimates Of appropriatioas which.
excluding the interest on and reduc-
ton in the public debt and the postsl
service, will net exceed 4 total az
S1,s0e, 060 600. This tentative ifrnita-
ton IS in furtherznce Of my proxrrn,
for progressive reduction in the
cost Of government.
II regret that there are still sonss
officials who apparently feel that tns
estimates TRANSMITTED to the bureaa
OF the beaGet are the eatimstss
which they are authorixSd to 49,
cate before the cgHmftkk1s of ths
Congress Lat me my here th.S
under the budget and accountins. -