The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-12-04


He called attention to the fact that
the budget provided a total of $3S, 945,-
600 for the air service maintained by
the army, navy and air mail.
The budget recommended $56,237.-
500 for rivers and harbors. Major
items mentioned by the president in
cluded $10,500,00O for flood control on
the Mississippi and Sacramento rivers
and So ,040, 800 to complete Dam No. z
at Muscle Shoals.
The amount set aside for soldiers
bonus fund in 1926 was only $50,000,-
600. The president said veterans APP
plications had so far been below the
number expected and that if the ap-
plications increased unexpectedly a
supplemental estimate could make up
the amount required.
In pointing out the necessity of ap-
propriating $109,000,000 for federal aid
to states, Mr.. Coolige voiced his Wig
orous disapproval Of state aid.
II am convinced that the broadening
of this field of activity is detrimental
both to federal and state govern
ments," he said. Efficiency CT federal
operations is impaired as their scope
is unduly enlarged. Efficiency of state
governments is impaired as they relin-
quish and turn over 20 the federal
government responsibilities which are
rightfully theirs. I am opposed to any
expansion of these subsidies. My con-
viction is they can be curtailed with
benefit to both the federal and state
governments"
In connection with his recommended
tion of S9,777,257 for reclamation, the
president urged the enactment of the
new reclamation bill now before Con-
gress.
Mr.. Coolidge reported the public debt
had been reduced $685. 94,375 during
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1924,
bringing it down to total of $21 $780,
812,989. This reduction decreased the
annual interest charge by approx
mately $45,000,000. Interest paid dur
ing the fiscal year 1924 amounted to
$940,000,000, and he estimates this in
terest charge would be $500, 10000 in
1925 and $3.50, 100000 in 1925, making
a reduction in this item during the
two years of $110,000,000.
Almost the sole new expenditure ad-
vocated by President Coolidge was the
construction of new public buildings in
the District of Columbia. He pointed
out the present necessity of scattering
government activities through scores
of temporary buildings and rented
quarters decreased governmental eff
cheney, was unnecessarily costly and
involved serious fire hazards. He rec
commended a progressive building pro-
gram with an annual expenditure Of
$1O,000,000.
The agricultural commission which
he has appointed to study the prob
lem of agricultural relief he said
would report what action should be
taken to place agriculture on basis
of economic equolity with other in
dustries. -
II mention this commission here"
the president said, "for the reason that
| will shortly submit TO Congress an
estimate of appropriations to meet the
expenses of the commission"
IL O POJO1tyOOO QGGIGdSG III SADGuut-
lures for the shipping board and the
emergency feet corporation was Sc
cured by general curtailment of
overhead expenses, slight increase in
rates and an increase in operating eff
cheney, the presidents message show
ed.
The large reduction in Veterans
Bureau expenditures was made up Of
decreases in the amount spent for sal
pital service, vocational rehabilitation
and hospital construction against
which decreases stood the new expen-
diture caused by the adjusted compen-
sation act.
The great increase for the Depart
ment Of Agriculture was caused pri-
marily by the necessity of increasing
the amount appropriated for rural post
roads from $13, 100000 to $80,0O00O0.
The $26,53S, 567.69 decrease for the
Department of the Interior was due
principally to the decrease in the nee
essary expenditure for pensions.
The decrease in funds allotted the
Navy was brought about without linn
iting the activity of the combat sec
tions of the fleet, without decreasing
the enlisted or commissioned strength
of the Navy and without decreasing the
number of ships in commission. A
decrease of 1900 in the enlisted
strength of the Marine Corps account
ed for part of the saving and curtail-
ment of administrative phases of naval
work accounted for most of the rest.
Most of the reduction in the Treas
ury department estimate arose from a
$19,000000 decrease in appropriation
for income tax refunds. Other treas
ury operations involved a general
slight increase in cost.
The decrease in the War department
estimate involved nj decrease in the
strength of the regular army but in
Guided slight decreases in the number
of citizens military camp trainees,
Militia Bureau and the Reserve Off
GERS Training Corps.