Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-31
The Business Of Government.

Last night was held the tenth regu.
lar meeting Of the business organiza-
ton Of the Government Of the United
States. which was established In its
present form 1877 years ago. The
business meetings. however. began
only four and a half years ago. in
June, 1921, when the practice was
established Of assembling the repre-
sentatives Of the executive branch Of
the Government in semiannual ses-
sion to consider the question Of ex.
penditures under the budget system.
Last night President Coolidge. ad-
dressing the meeting. drew a vivid pic
ture Of the changes that have &C.
CURED in this period Of less than half
decade. Taxes have been enor-
mously reduced. Federal expenditures
have been lessened by 1919 900, 900.
The public debt has been lowered by
about $4,000, 00O. 900, with an annual
saving in interest Of $4,000, 900.
Economy is still the watchword of the
administration. but President Cool.
idge urges that the savings should be
along the line of constructive econ
omy, the underlying spirit Of which
Is Ito secure better education, wider
administration of justice, more public
order and greater security from con.
migration, all through a superior or.
ganization which will reduce the unit
of COST
Yet the President feels, as he has
said before, that we cannot look for
further reductions in the cost of the
actual transaction of the business Of
the Government. This. however, does
not mean that the limit Of tax re.
duction has been reached. He says:
Past experience has shown that a
reduction or taxes has been followed
by increased prosperity. AS the vol.
ume oil business increases the Federal
revenue increases. If we are moderate
in our expenditures the natural in.
crease In profits ought within the mex,
lew years TO furnish us again with
a surplus revenue, which will permit
a further lax reduction.
1t Is of interest to note that the
President suggests that the extent to
which river and harbor improvements
and public building may go at pres
ent depends upon the outcome OF the
pending tax bill. Evidently he hopes
tor large undertakings in these direc.
tons, as he regards them as real con.
strucive economies. The suggestion
is definitely conveyed that II the TAX
reduction Is carried beyond the point
indica.ed by the treasury curtailmenl
must De made in these projected pub.
lie works
Gen. Lord, director of the budget,
In MS speech at last night meeting
no.ed a reduction in expenditures o.
nearly SoO.uUU,O00 during the past
hscal year. ms sum, which is 80
easy to say and so hard to save
means a saving of So,00u,0V tor
every montn, $lS6,666.e7 Tor every
day, $6,s44.44 for every hour, $1l5.7A
Aor every minule and $i.y3h Ior
every second OF the year. This com.
puIation illustrates strikingiy the
character or the business manage.
ment Of the Government in contrast
with the methods prevailing In the
past OF loose estimates. lack Of reia
ton between expenditures and in
come and happy-go-iucky conduct OF
the fiscal affairs OF the greatest bust
ness organization In the world.
These business meetings are means
10 the end OF co-ordinatinx all the
functions Of the Government on the
pane OF efficiency and practical
economy.