Evening star., 1925-01-27
COOLIDGE ASKS CUT
IN j. S. EMPLOYEES
Economy Plan Calls for Same
Pay But Fewer Workers.
Budget Gains Shown.

ganization of the Government, but to
the American people through 10
broadcastiug stations, declared con-
tinuance of his policy of economy
would be effected by a reduction in
the number of employees"
At Memorial Continental Hall the
President reviewed the past four
years of operation of the Govern
ment's fiscal policy of retrenchment,
said that the estimates for eXpendi-
tures this year were S62OO0.O00 more
than the goal he had set, and called
upon his executives to revise their
expenditure programs to this end.
Expenditures during this fiscal year,
he said, We're estimated at $685.
100000, exclusive of the Post Office
Department. OF this SAT-, 10000 was
required by law to be applied to
national debt reduction. This left
$6S,0G0.000 more than the three bill
Hon-dollar goal, within which the
President wished TO bring this figure
for this year. Present prospects for
next year, he indicated, were that
the figure would be well under the
three billion mark" Further tax re-
duction would follow successful re-
trenchment in expenditure, he pre-
dtcted
Director Lord of the Bureau of the
Budget reviewed the Governments
program in detail touching hu-
morously at times with telling eff
feet, on weak spots in the expendi-
ture machinery.
VIII Not Cut Pay.
President Coolidge did not reveal
just how or when the reduction of
Government employees, a subject of
rttal Importance to the District,
would be effected. He emphasized,
however, that il was not his wish
that the individual salaries should be
out, in spite of the fact that he re-
garded the income of Government
workers to have more than kept pace
with what increase there has been
In the cost OF living
Although calling for reduction in
personnel, the President took oppor-
runtty to praise the Government en-
ploye- NO more devoted, patriotic
and efficient employees" he said, can
be found anywhere than Government
servants" He pointed out, however,
that the heaviest single item of ex-
penditures for the Government was
personal service, and mot a dollar
should be asked from the taxpayers
for superfiuous personnel"
The average salary of the Govern
rnent clerk had increased $615 since
1913. said the President, adding, 'T
do not think any one can claim that
the cost of living has increased s615
within this period"
Sees Further Tax Cut.
President Coolidge predicted that If
the budget program for 1926 is sus-
tanned by Congress at this session, he
would be able in the next budget
to recommend further reduction in
taxes, predicting that the outlook for
1926 was for a surplus that year Of
more than s373, 600, 900.
Pointing out that the country was
evidently entering upon an era of
increasing business activity and mate
rial prosperity, and it was possible
that "an honest, reasonable increase
in cost OF Government" might be ex-
pected, the President said that nee
essary increases in the cost of Gov
ernment must be offset by reduction
in the costs of existing activities. I'VE
are occupying fields that should be
abandoned he said.
Gen. Lord spoke at length, both
to the education and amusement Of
his audience. He called upon Gov
ernment executives to join the "2
per cent club and save 2 cents on
each dollar, in order to effect the
$62,000,Q00 saving asked by the Presi-
dent. 'NraVel less, buy less, ship less
build less, employ less, write less,
print less, use less, waste nothing"
admonished the general
Reviews Progress Since 1921.
Briefly reviewing the accomplish
meuts Of the economy program since
1921. Gen. Lord said:
Federal expenditure in 1921, the
last pre-budget year, was $5,115,927
$3.50. This was exclusive of the
amount applied to the reduction of
Al
year Of budget control, again exclud-
ing debt reduction, we spent S3,372,-
607,S99.S4 This was $1,743, 000 900 less
than we spent in 1921, but was still
$372,000,000 short of the mark.
I'm 1928 we tried again. ExpendI-
lures that year were S3294,627,5 ,52916.
This was a, material reduction below
the previous years spending, but was
still S2940O0,000 over the $4,000, ,OOO,-
600 maximum. We We're getting in
sight Of the promised land In 1924
the expenditure was S3,O4S, ,677, ,965.34
This showed notable reduction in
spending. We were but $48, 600, 900
short Of our goal.
Bonus Adds to Expenses.
Estimates of expenditure for the
current year, as given in the 1926
budget, exclusive of debt payments.
show a total of S3,062, ,277, ,407, which is
362, 600, ,0O0 too much. Lest we forget.
note just here that in reaching that
totals, ,062, Pr, ,4O7-yge have absorb
ed an estimated expenditure of $780,
100000 on account of the World War
adjusted compensation act which did
not figure in our operations last year
With that out Of the picture our So
ooo,oO0,o 900 goal would have been at
Lained this year at a walk Including
that, however, we have $4,000. 900 to
eliminate to carry out the Presidents
wishes.
Discussing the estimates for 1926,
Gen. Lord revealed for the first time
that all the Government departments
and establishments but two had over
shot the mark" making total prelfmi-
nary estimates s2,101, ,7O1,344.75, or
S30l,7O1,34 more than the Presi
dents maximum.
~Under reducing treatment" said
Gen. Lord, prescribed by the Presi-
dent, these estimates lost a great deal
of their adiposity, and finally weigh
ed In at S1,777,S77, 711.4S, which is
the amount carried in the 1926 budget
for all purposes except the public
debt and postal service. This is 1924
523.63327 less than the amount
originally asked by the departments
and Independent establishments"
Among the bright facts revealed for
the first time by Gen. Lord was one
-