Evening star., 1926-12-08
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District Of Columbia, the total is ap
p,oximately $4,000, 900 greater in 1925
than in 1927.
District Appropriation Greater.
!'he estimates of appropriation for
the District of Columbia for 1928 are
S38,519, 1863. as compared to the appro
pration of $36,532, ,12S for the current
year. Departments for which de-
crcases in appropriations as compared
TO the present fiscal year are recon-
mended are: Labor, State. Navy and
Treasury. Those for which an in
crease are recommended are: Agricul
War.
In his discussion of the proposed
appropriations the President makes
clear the attitude of the administra'
ton on many matters of Importance
TO the country, including national de-
Tense, prohibition enforcement. the
merchant marine, alien property held
by the Government, and Social mat
ters Among the last are the eradica-
ton of tuberculosis, continuance of
concentrations for work under the
maternity and infancy act and relief
of veterans, all of which the President
Iavors.
Our intent and attitude is one of
peace and friendly regard toward all
Nations and peoples" says the Presi-
dent. This, however. is not sufficient
warrant to neglect our defense and de-
fault on necessary precautions.
Taking into account all arms of the
rational defense, including reserves,
the President points out that the es-
Inmates make provision for 100000
men in military and naval strength.
Cruisers Not Included.
In view of the attitude of the ad-
ministration toward limitation of naval
ornaments and it's present efforts to
effect an agreement with other ma
tions for additional limitation Of these
ornaments, the President does not in
clude estimates for commencing the
construction of three new light armor-
cd cruisers which are authorized by
Congress. He recommends to Con
gress legislation extending the time
for beginning their construction.
The President shows that progress
is being made in building up an ade-
quAte air defense and that the budget
provides total of ST, Az, $50 for avia-
tiOn for the Army and Navy.
For the enforcement of prohibition
nearly $50, 100000 is provided in the
budget by direct and indirect 'appro-
priations.
Whatever is necessary to put into
effect the expressed will of the people
rs written into the Eighteenth amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
States and the will of the Congress
as expressed in the Volstead act will
he done," says the President.
Whatever funds may be necessary
TO vindlcate the law and secure COM
pliance with all it's provisions should
ne provided. The constitutional duties
of the President and the Congress
make any other course indefensible."
This part of the message probably
viii be hailed by the drys. There is
40 indication here that the recent
elections and referenda on the wet
and dry issue have inclined the Pres
tdent away from the cause of prohibi.
ton.
Merchant Marine Plans.
The President says that it's time
Tor Congress to formulate a more def.
mite policy for the merchant marine
Two plans, he says, are to be pre-.
sented to Congress at the present
session by the Shipping Board, one
Tor building up an adequate merchant
marine through private capital and
under private ownership, and the
other through Government ownership
and operation. Congress should de-
termine which it is to have and pro-
coed to legislate. The estimates for
the Shipping Board, to meet the losses
nt the Governments owned fleet during
the fiscal year 1928, are $12 ,OOO, 900.
While the losses have been cut ma
torially, the President points out
here is no immediate prospect that
any of the lines can be operated
without loss to the Government
The reduction in the gross total of
the national debt during the fiscal
year 1926, which ended last June was
1872 1917, ,572.7l. the President points
out. In the last five fiscal years the
reduction of the debt has aggregated
S4,334 900 900. In June, 1926, the debt
reached a level below 100000 900 900.
The interest payment on the debt,
The largest single item of the ex.
PN'iuitul co VI ltlc government tOUdy :,
amounted to 1892 900 900 in 1926. as
compared to 100000 in 1921. a
reduction of $167 900 900. For 1872
the estimated expenditures for this
purpose are $1S5 .000. 900 and in 1928.
S15a 900, 900. 1t is not difficult to
understand from these figures how
the taxpayers of the country are
benefited by constant and large reduc-
tionS yof the public debt