Evening star., 1925-08-10
MILITARY TO BEAR
BIC BUDGET SLASH;
D. c. FIGURE STANDS
Estimates to Be Below Total
of S3,USO, 1000 Set
by President.
BOTH AIR SERVICES
TREATED GENEROUSLY
New Chain Bridge and High-Pres-
sure Water System Survey
Likely for District.
BY j. RUSSELL YOUNG.
staff Correspondent OF The Star.

SUMMER WHITE HOUS E,
SWAMPSCOTT. Mass, August 10
Following a conference with President
Coolidge at White Court today, Brig.
Gen. Herbert NJ Lord, Director of the
Budget, gave every assurance that the
estimates to be recommended to the
next Congress will be below the S3,-
0S0,000, 900, set by the President at
the annual business meeting Of the
Government in Washington last June.
He said also that there is no reason
why there should not be a surplus
of at least $500, 100000 in the Treasury
at the end of the next fiscal year,
which will make 1t possible for the
administration to proceed generously
in it's ideas for further tax reduction.
Without caring to discuss any of
the details of the tentative estimates
for the District of Columbia, Gen.
Lord intimated that the estimates
prepared by the Commissioners ap
pear at first glance to be fairly rea-
sonable and that he doubted very
much if it would be necessary to do
any great amount of slashing.
New Chain Bridge.
Gen Lord stated that he realized
that Washington is growing rapidly
and also that 1t has been neglected
somewhat in the matter of appropria-
tions in the last decade Therefore,
the budget director made it clear
that he is willing to agree 10 any
thing within reason that the District
asks for. He said that he is inclined
to believe that there is an urgent need
for a new chain bridge and that he
sees no reason why the Commissioners
request for an appropriation to con-
duct a survey for an additional high
pressure water system should not be
included in the final estimates.
Gen. Lord stated that he discussed
budget matters with the President and
that in doing so he found the Presi-
dent especially we'll versed in the
mater of details concerning the vari-
Gus departments and their wants and
because of this 1t was possible for
him to dispose of this preliminary re-
view of the tentative estimates in
very short time.
According to Gen. Lord, the esti-
mates which will be submitted to Con-
Gress will be at least $40. 900, 900 less
than the estimate of the preceding
year, and, without saying so directly,
he inferred that the greater part of
the slash would be borne by the Army
and Navy. He would not state just
what activities Of these Government
departments would suffer the most,
but he indicated that after the budget
had set a total amount for national
defense it would be up to those in
charge of the national defense to ap-
portion the money according to their
best judgment.
Generous to Air Service.
Gen. Lord made it very plain. how
ever, that the Army and Navy air
services would be treated generously.
The inference was drawn that the
Budget Bureau will make no reduc-
tions in this branch of national de-
fense, but, on the contrary, will prob
ably increase it.
Gen. Lord calls attention to the fact
that between $4,000. 900 and s19 000,-
600 is available during the current
year for new airplanes for the Army
and Navy and that the construction
of these planes has absorbed the en-
tire capacity of the manufacturing
plants engaged in airplane building.
In his opinion the administration
must do everything possible to en-
courage this private industry If the
capacity for airplane manufacture is
to be increas sed.
Now that Gen. Lord has discussed
with the President the complete tenta-
duct hearings with the heads of the
various departments of the Govern
ment relative to changes in the pres
ent figures.
While Gen. Lord is a strong advo-
cate of the administration public
building program for the District of
Columbia, and hopes that Congress
will at the next session enact legis-
lation that will make 1t possible to en-
ter upon this program, he declined to
say today whether or not there is any
reason to feel hopeful at this time.
Efficiency Increase.
Gen. Lord said that he had not been
able to figure just where there will be
any great saving in money by a gen.
eral reorganization of the executive
departments, as has been proposed.
He believes in the proposal and he
Si:icerely hopes that Congress will see
fit 10 pass the reorganiza ton bill
which has the stamp of approval of
the President, but he cannot make
himself believe that in the matter of
dollars and cents the savings will be
at all important. In his opinion the
saving will be in the matter of pro-
noting the efficiency of the Govern
ments working departments, and there
is not the slightest doubt in his mind
that this saving will be gigantic He
pointed out that there is tremendous
waste of time and duplication of effort
in the Government departments, and
that while it might possibly be a saw
ing of S5,000.00o or $4,000 900 an.
nually If the reorganization bill is
enacted the increase in efficiency
would be far greater than the amount
OF money thus mentioned.
Impressed With Economy.
Gen. Lord said that the departmen
heads have long since learned that the
administration Is in earnest in the
matter of governmental economy, and
that the various heads with whom he
has to deal in arriving at conclusions
have acted splendidly. In this con-
nection, he explained, that there is a
likelihood that he has been ungen-
erous in the matter Of certain neces-
sary appropriations for activities
which are absolutely essential. and to
rectify these possible errors of judg-
ment he will again hear the heads of
the departments in question, and Ii
they furnish him with sufficient proof
IN favor of their claims. he will see to