The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-03
-------------------------- THE BUDGET ECONOMY

THE BUDGET ECONOMY
 Although the national budget bureau is given credit for the reduction of na- tional expenditures by about two billion dollars year since 1921, yet it is evident that some of this decrease is due to the normal decline in expenses as we recede from the war stresses. Nonetheless, the budget law must be regarded as sub- stantial bulwark between the treasury and congressional or bureaucratic ex- travagance. Congressmen and cabinet members may be sincere in their profes- sions of need for the sums which con scientious budget director mercilessly prunes, but the situation needs some body who can see all the needs in their related perspective, and the budget direc- tor seems to be just that somebody. Both MT. Dawes and Director Lord have proved to be officials of both courage and in- telligence. The nation has not suffered from their firm resistance to all en- |croachments upon the budget purpose. On the contrary, the nation benefits by the saving of hundreds of millions an- nually that might otherwise be spent upon objectives of non-essential nature. Of course, no director of budget could be omniscient. It is likely that some ap- propriations have been denied that were worthy and should have been allowed. But in the main the economies have been real and not mere examples of narrow niggardliness. Besides, the decision of the director is not final. Congress still has the ultimate decision whether an appropriation shall or shall not be al lowed, and whether it shall be increased diminished or kept at the figure approved by the director At first congress was inclined somewhat rebelliously to deviate widely from the budget recommends tions, but more recently that tendency has been modified. The value of the budget has been too obvious and publicly proclaimed by the presidents for congress to ignore the public sentiment thus aroused in favor of legitimate economy On the other hand, if congress is con vinced of the public necessity of some appropriation not contemplated or insuf ficiently allowed in the budget, it may proceed to make the necessary amend ment. That is a function no one wouio take away from congress.
 Cabinet members and congressman be siege the offices of the budget director most persistently during the period II which the budget is being formed. Some of the visitors have private axes to grind and some political, while some are sin cerely seeking to advance the interests of the particular public responslblllt! with which they have been charged. Al this presentation, discussion and argu ment are a necessary and valuable pre- liminary to the final decision in eacl case. It is- somewhat unfortunate tha this siege of the budget bureau IS at tended with little or no publicity. 1t l conceivable that in time there may arls' system of tradings and secret agree ments that would result in unfairness t' certain proper objects of national ap propriation and an exaggeratlon of tn need for appropriations in some les pressing direction. Some means of obvl ating this eventuality is imperative
 It is argued also by some political ob servers of great shrewdness and excellen judgment that cabinet members should have the privilege of appearing person ally on the floors of congress, of joining in debate, and of giving at first han' information on pertinent matters tha would otherwise be the subject of inac curate and inferential knowledge on tn' part of congress. Cabinet members als' should in the public interest have th' right to enter either house at appropriate moments and present their claims fol Legislation or appropriation. Indeed there should be law making it necessar! for cabinet member to be heard before final action is taken on any subject ger mane and vital to his department. Int budget bureau is one great governor ol appropriations, but congress is the ina arbiter. and congress should not only no be without accurate knowledge, but con oress should be legally obliged to acqulr' that knowledge at first hand from tn bureaus or departments concerned. onl' in this way can the budget be fully oper ative with at the same time an adequat safeguard thrown about legitimate oD iects of national concern.
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 ON REDUCING