Evening star., 1924-06-15

iture Of 1855, 100000, but let's make
an analysis of some of the factors
that make UP that big total We find
$940,0o0.o 900 for interest on the pub
lie debt, which cannot be modified;
$512, ,000,0 for reduction of the pub
lie debt, required under the provisions
of the cumulative sinking fund act
and other enactments which cannot
be modified, as we'll as by orders of
President Harding; s6ss,o0 900 is for
! the veterans of the three wars and
dependents of four, which will not
| be touched for purposes of economy;
and there. are many more millions
not subject to administrative control.
Deducting these large amounts, there
| is only about $500, 600, 900 that could be
attacked by the budget bureau with
the most trenchant weapons-co- op-
Grafton and co-ordination-a team
work which means economy.
| Take just a quick and brief glance
at the savings through coordination:
A permanent conference on printing
| effected a total reduction in 1923 as
against 1922 of s26o,ooo. The federal
| liquidation board is just closing the
most colossal selling effort in his
| tory, disposing of surplus property
valued at 1851, oo2,7 1852, for which ST.
2S2 2,4s2,909 has been received; supplies
valued at s357614,S23 have been
transferred between federal agencies,
with a saving of about 800, ,0o0, 900 to
| the government
The federal specifications board has
issued 1873 standard specifications, one
n uyh fnr e. lry-
nish, is saving the Navy Department
alone $4,000 a year. Area co-ordi-
nators from September /, 1921, to No
| vember so last effected savings
amounting to $1,51s.oo0.
Space is lacking for detailed sum-
mary of these economies. Through
the operation of the chief co-ordi-
nator, the eight co-ordinating boards,
the seven area co-ordinators, and the
eighty-four federal business associa-
tions there has been developed
through the federal service a most
helpful and encouraging spirit of CO.
operation and teamwork that is re-
sulting not only in saving of funds
This has proved to be one of the most
government costs.
In the business NEE ting a year ago
President Harding. discussing the ex-
scutive policy regarding estimates for
1925, ordered that, exclusive of the
public debt and postal service items.
a drastic reduction should be made
Of SIPS, 900 below what had been
appropriated for the current fiscal
year 1t meant that for 1925 there
should be appropriated $537,oo0,ooo
less than was appropriated in 1922.
This program was indorsed and adopt
ed by President Coolidge. The bureau
OF the budget, after carefully consid-
ering more than 5000 items, recon-
mended for 1925 estimates totalinp
$1,645, 100000. which was $31S, 900, 900
less than the amounts asked by the
departments and $55,ooo,ooo less than
the Presidents maximum.
The total estimates submitted. in
Guiding the public debt items. but
omitting the postal service, practical
ly self-supporting, amounted to So
o1s,ooo.00o. Before pre-budget days
the original estimates would have
been submitted to Congress carving
an additional $31S,000,00o, and the
President would, not have been able
to recommend a program of tax re-
duction.
The estimates of receipts for 1925.
as prepared by the bureau of the bud
get, total 100000. The estimat-
ed expenditures as prepared by the
bureau of the budget total $3,2ss,ooo-
600 which is $267, 200, 600 less than the
estimated expenditures for the cur
rent fiscal year.
The effort of the budget bureau,
acting under the direction of the
President, Is to make such cuts in
the expenditure program as will per-
init a balanced budget, whatever the
legislation may be to reduce taxes
or additional expenditures-with no
resort to additional taxation.