The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-02

war adjusted compensation act OF
May 10, 1924.
This is for the second payment
to the fund to be made January
l., 1926.
January /, 1926, 800, 000, 900 ID
included in the deficiency bill now
under consideration by Congress.
The applications from veterans
so far have been below the esti-
mated number which the records
Indicate as entitled to the bene-
fits OF the act.
If the two appropriations rec.
ommended be mades It Is esti-
mated there will be q sufficient
amount in the fund on January 1,
1925, to meet the demands OF the
act. Should the number Of APP
plications increase beyond what
present experience indicates a.
probable, there win be ample time
to submit a supplemental esti-
mate for the additional amount
necessary before that date.
Salaries, for Civilians.
The estimates for salaries Of
civilian employees in the District
of Columbia are in accordance
with provisions Of the classified
ton act approved March 4, 1924.
For the field services tho esti-
mates for salaries are based on
rates comparable with those for
departmental employees In the Dis
tFict of Columbia.
For Federal aid to States the
estimates provide in excess OF
sos, 900, 900. These subsidies are
prescribed by law. I am con-
WINGED that the broadening OF
this field Of activity is detri-
mental both to Federal and State
governments. Efficiency Of Fed
eral operations is impaired as
their scope Is unduly enlarged.
Efficiency of State govern
ments Is impaired as they re-
linQuish and turn over to the
Federal Government responsible
ties which are rightfully theirs.
am opposed to any expansion
of these subsidies.
My conviction is they can DO
-curtaiIed with benefit to both
thu Federal and State govern
Inents. ~
For reclamation purposes / am
recommending $9,77T,257 for 1925
1t is highly desirable that the
Congress, as q basis for this
and other future reclamation exc
penditures, enact the legislation
VINHNSNVfvle, VnAw raAOH0 kfANN SaNIt.
cies proposed In H. r. 9611, Six
ty-eighth Congress, first session.
Reducing Public Debt.
The gross public debt was re.
duced &1,O9S. 1884, 1916 during the
fiscal year ended June 80, 1894,
and stood at $21 ,250,Sl2,9S9 on
the latter date.
This reduction was accom-
plished through a. the applica.
ton Of the sinking fund and
other public debt retirements rc-
Quired to be made from ordinary
receipts, aggregating $457 1893, $50;
~ a reduction in the general
fund balance OF S135, 627 ,6S9; and
(3) the use Of the entire surplus
Of $505, 1856 1886. M
The annual interest charges on
the debt represented by this re-
duction are equivalent to over
100000.
The total reduction in the debt
since the high point of $26, 1884,
10000 on August 81, 1919,
amounted to $5,34S, 900, 900 at the
{ close OF the last fiscal year. :,
This total reduction has effect.
ed saving In interest amount.
ing to approximately 1926, 100000
annually, a saving which EQUALS
nearly one-third OF the total an
nual pre,war expenditures OF the
Government.
Fixed Debt Charges.
The fixed debt charges are in.
cluded in the regular budget Of
the Government under q definite
plan worked out soon after the
close Of the war for the gradual
retirement OF the public dcbt,
ana must be met before the
budget can balance. 81
The most important Of these
tixed'debt charges il the cumuIar