Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-05
LORD RULES ARMY
. CAN INCUR DEFICIT;
|. PENSIONS HELD UP
Budget Chief Says Service
Can Retain 118, ,750 Men,
Despite Low Funds.
SUPPLY BILLS FAILURE
CAUSES INCONVENIENCE
President Sees No Need for Calling
Extra Session of Congress
This Year.


The opinion of Budget Director
Lord as given today at the White
House is that although existing
statutes permit the Government to
incur a deficiency for maintenance or
the Army enlisted strength at 1890
men, it cannot incur further indebted
ness by paying the 100000 pensioners
whose relief was made impossible by
the failure of the second deficiency bill
to pass Congress.
Secretary Davis and Budget Direc-
tor Lord conferred with President
Coolidge today on the Army SITUATION.
1t was the opinion of the Secretary OF
War that, as the enlisted man couiu
not break his obligations TO the GOV
ernment, the Government could not
break its obligation to the men.
Although, if the present forces are
maintained, q deficiency is expected,
this will be reduced as much as pos
sible Secretary Davis said, by cutting
down on other military expenses. by
abandoning minor military posts and
by a strict system of economy.
Sixty-four, IL Senators and 53 Repre-
sentatives. will not return next De
cember, they either having retired to
private life or entered other Federal
fields of endeavor.
Announcement that the President
saw no necessity for a special session
to consider the major bills that failed
of passage before the gavels fell yes.
terday. was made at the White House
several hours after adjournment.
No Emergency Seen.
While the legislation adopted has
been generally beneficial to the coun-
try, in the Presidents opinion, he feels
that Congress had ample opportunity
to put through other bills for which
there was urgent need, but that failure
of some of these does not develop an
emergency warranting special
session.
The McFadden branch banking bill.
the radio control measure, and the otii
setting up the Federal Board OF Medl-
alton in Railroad Disputes were listed
| on the Presidents behalf as being
| among the more notable achievements
of the Sixty-ninth Congress.
Deficiency Bill Biggest.
Several hundred bills and resolu-
tions, many essential to various gov
ernmental activities, died Win the
conclusion of the session. Chief among
these was the s93, 100000 deficiency
bill, which provided funds for the
Army and Navy. pensions, Govern
ment loans to veterans on bonus Ger
tificates. loans to farmers for seed
purchases and other activities.
While President Coolidge recognizes
that inconveniences will be caused as
a result of failure of this measure, ne
expects a way will be found Tor tne
Government to carry on with some oi
the activities affected.
AS to the bonus loans. the President
faels that failure of the $25 900. 900
fund provided by the bill for this pur-
pose will not work serious hardships.
He believes a workable plan Will de-
velop by which banks can make loans
as originally contemplated.
The Navy, it was said. will go along
as best it can without the funds pro-
yided for it in the bill, continuing
work on the aircraft carriers Lex
ington and Saratoga by dlvertlng
funds from the increase in Navy ap-
propriations. Modernization or the
battleships Oklahoma and Nevada VIII
be delayed, but it is hoped to continue
construction of the fleet submarine
Va.
Building Program Retarded.
Failure of the two public buildings
bills would not entirely hold up pulio-
ing operations, although the program
will be retarded. it was said at the
Treasury. Under present appropria-
tions AZ buildings can be placed
under contract during The next year
Location of these probably will be an
nounced next week.
Due to S39, 100000 shortage OK
Interior Department funds Whlcn the
deficiency bill was to have suppileo'
payments due in May and June 10
500 900 war pensioners VIII be heid
up until July, when the accrued pay
ments will be made out OF the new
fiscal year appropriations.
Construction and repairs on recla-
nation projects at Okanogan, Wash;
Riverton, Wyo.. and Newlands, New.
and the Fayette division of the Boise
project in Idaho also will be affected.
The Bureau of Reclamation hopes to
utilize unexpended funds from pre-
vious appropriations to meet the $7O.-
900 needed for protection OF the Yuma,
Ariz., irrigation project ana otner
farm lands from the Hood waters OF
the Colorado River.
Numerous Bills Die.
Every Government agency almost
will feel the pinch of lack OF funds
during the coming year as result or
the death of several appropriation Dli'S
Yesterday in the Senate filbuster.
While hunureuS OL DlIiS dhu AocoAH
tions died with conclusion OF the ses'
sion, several had progressed TO the
point of maturity only to be nipped III
the Senate blight.
Two public buildings measures re-
ouired only Senate action. One would
have provided more than $19.000,0O0
to carry out the first years construc-
ton program. Another would have
authorized an additional S100.000.000
of public buildings construction
the country. It also pro-
vided $25, 900. 900 for purchase Of land
in the Capital.
Likewise many a carefully planned
went by the board az
their sponsors waited patiently an
to obtain the Senate's
sa anction.
Senator Borah's proposed inquiry
into Latin American affairs never was
brought to vote. A demand by
Senator Walsh, Democrat, Montana,
for an investigation into the financing
of public utilities received no atten-
ton. Senator Walsh. Democrat,
failed to get approval
for his proposed economic investiga-
tion. The proposed Federal patronage
inquiry only reached the Senate calen-
dar.