Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-11

President Coolidge spoke as follows
last night at the semi-annual business
meeting Of the Government.
Members of the Governments bust
ness organization:
1--WE have been writing a new page
In the history OF governments these
| last six years. No less urgent than
| had been the call to arms was the call
| for relief from the gigantic burden
which the World War imposed upon
the people. They had made their sac
rifices to enable the Federal Govern
ment to meet the great emergency.
1t was for that Government to take
the lead in the effort to restore their
| financial and economic structure. This
task it willingly assumed. The plan
to accomplish it, the budget system,
! was prepared by the Congress. That
act gave the Chief Executive the OPP
portunity of assuming his full re-
sponsibility as the head of the bust
ness organization Of the Government.
1t pledged the support of the Congress
to budget principles of operation.
That pledge has been faithfully kept.
"It is only necessary to point to our
prosperity to show the influence which
better business in government has had
on the welfare of the people. The
progress achieved by this co-ordinated
effort of the executive and legislative
branches of this Government is beyond
all expectation. If we hold the ground
we have gained, and we must hold it,
success will be complete. This will be
just as difficult as the task of reach
ing our present milestone. Elimina-
ton of non-essentials and direct saw
ingS have about reached their limit.
To hold our position will therefore re-
quire even more care and attention.
1t will be a perpetual challenge to the
ability and resourcefulness of those in
charge of the public expenditures.
United Counsel Endorsed.
ut Is essential that we take periodic
counsel together. For this purpose we
gather in open meeting twice each
year. These meetings were a new de.
parture in the conduct of the business
Of nations. We have found them nee.
essary to co-ordinated action. Here
we meet on a common footing, with
one objective-the welfare of the peo-
pie. These meetings are therefore of
national importance. 1t is here we re-
port to the people on our stewardship
and plan our policies for future opera
tons. A business without a policy Is
poor business.
I'VE are conducting the greatest
business in the world, and 1t is neces.
sary that we have defined policies of
operation. The achievements of these
last years can be attributed to the fact
that we have adopted such policies.
We have reconstructed our finances.
We are rapidly rehabilitattng our
~oI-r v~1@ all IS kI.{~ L.
accomplished not alone because we
have been more favored than other
governments in the matter of income,
but by sound scientific business man.
agement-by the practice of economy.
This has made possible the material
reductions in our tax rates. 1t has
enabled us to pay as we go, and at the
same time vastly reduce our public
debt and interest charges.
Economy Is Safeguard.
II do not hesitate to say that one
Of the greatest safeguards of this
Nation, financially, socially and moral
ly, lies in constructive economy in
government. 1t will do much to de-
feat attempts to undermine our ira
ditiOns and disrupt our institutions.
Economy does not mean the neglect
Of essentials. Rather does it mean
adequate provision for them by the
elimination of all waste. 1t gives the
added protection which comes from
the means to meet time of emer-
gency. The Federal Government has
set an example not alone to the other
governments in this country but to
other nations in the practice of
economy. Extravaganza may bring
momentary pleasure and apparent
benefit, but it creates condition
which is bound to affect the future
adversely. In our operations we are
building for. more than the present
The foundation is being we'll laid with
a support Of the people in which we