Evening star., 1928-01-31


the Government last night:
Mr.. President and Members OF the
Business Organization OF the Govern
ment:
This is the fourteenth budget meet
ing and the twelfth appearance OF the
present Budget director before this or
ganiZation. 1t Is something OF task,
twice a year. to appear before you ana
discuss matters concerning many oil
which you are presumably as we'll IN
formed as the speaker. Your patient
forbearance and courtesy alone make 1t
possible. The Budget director confesses
there are times when he longs for
spot where budgets cease from troubling
and budget problems are at rest.
Referring to the Budget director and
his addresses said: He does not occupy
a place of ease but a place
of difficulty We have in the
Federal service many brilliant admins
traitors. They handle projects as am
bilious and as important as any in the
world. They are as able and as compe-
tent as any executives and administra-
tors in the world In the very nature
Of things they are almost exclusively
absorbed in their own great undertake
tngs and can have little or no thought
OF all the other projects which must be
financed out Of the Federal Treasury.
Their combined requests for appropria-
tions always exceed available funds by
millions. For 1929 the executive de-
partments asked Sl28.000,O 900 more than
could be granted. That was the amount
cut from the estimates by the Budget
Bureau. acting for the President. The
seven annual budgets which have been
sent to Congress have carried total OF
S27 1000 5.970.55. which Is 81 $50 623.-
459.l6 less than was asked. That sur
prising amount-Sl $50. .623. .459 16-was
cut from executive estimates for those
seven budgets. and yet the business op-
erations of the Government were never
conducted so efficiently. The Budget
director has the simple task under the
personal direction Of the President, Of
fitting these executive estimates within
the limiting amount established by the
President after careful study Of control
ling conditions-study that keeps for
ever In mind the welfare and interest
OF the taxpayer who foots the bill.
In all the stress, pressure and ap-
peal for funds for projects and purposes
which the director. with his knowledge
Of the entire field Of Federal operations.
knows should not be approved, he
steadies himself. clears his mind and
strengthens his courage with the words
OF President Coolidge. the taxpayers
interests are our only concern
Federal Government Costs.
att cost e3.5s4.5is40 to run this
great Government in 1927. OF this
amount S5l9554.84478 was applied to
the public debt The remainder. used
f~y ,E
ment. was $29T4.029.674 Here. in
simple. plain figures. Is the triumphant
realization of our years of campaigning
to bring annual Federal expenditure.
exclusive OF debt reduction down to
$4,000 100000. We got down to the
81. 900 600. 900 and bettered 1t by $25.-
970.3253 At the last meeting Of this
organization. in June. the speaker con-
fidently prophesied this splendid achieve
ment and stated that when we could point
to the glorious result and say. There
it is.' We would celebrate the victory
with appropriate fireworks. What may
constitute a proper celebration is puz-
zling problem. Firecrackers are not ap-
propriate. for there has been nothing
explosive about our campaign. 1t was a
long. steady. grinding pull. SkyrocketS
are out OF the question. for our expendi-
lures went down. not up; while Roman
candles are too tame and commonplace
for so signal an achievement. Inevitably
We reach the conclusion that this great
triumph in Federal economy requires no
formal celebration. II Is its own most
ton Monument, II IS most impressive un-
adorned. 1t stands out eloQuently as
the smallest annual expenditure since
1917.
Somebody scoffed, Oh. youn never do
that:
At least, no one has ever yet done IL.
Bue We took Oft our coats and We took
off our hats
And the first thing We knew we'd be-
gun 1t.
With a lift OF our Thin and a bit OF a
grin.
Without any doubling or quiddit
We went IN with swing as We tackled
the thing
That couldn't be done and We did It.
Edgar A. Guest (altered).
Against a total disbursement last
year OF s3.i93, ,584. .5l9.40 We have an es-
.imated expenditure for the current year
OF $3,62 ,3l4.285. threatened increase
OF $l27.729, 765 go over last years record.
This increase is all accounted for. and
more. by $4,000. 900 additional for the
Veterans Bureau. sTl.000,000 more for
national defense and $4,000 900 In
crease for internal revenue refunds over
last years need. These total $i37, ,000,-
900 added to the current years burden,
and are or character that affords lit
lie or no opportunity for executive modi-
iication.
Estimated Expenditure.
Exclusive Of debt reduction. the es-
tlmated expenditure for this year is
$3.085, l29 2li. And, 10 and behold. here
Is our $4,000 000. 900 campaign facing us
again. big as life and full of trouble.
fear you may have thought that hav-
ing once attained that $4,000, 900 900 OBJ
jective It would be definitely relegated
TO history and that We had given It a
heartfelt goodnight. Some Of you
doubtless felt like the little man who.
somewhat excited after a heated con-
troversy. fired this parting shot at his
adversary: The sooner / never see yo,,
again the better 1t Will be when We next
meet
Il have the courage--you may call II
temerity-~to hope for the elimination
OF that $8o.l29.3li. which is the only
hurdle between Us and another $3.00o.-
100000 victory. l know II Is large
order. You have. however honestly
earned reputation for doing big
things. Call your executives together.
study the balances OF your appropria-
tions, rally your people 10 the standard
OF further saving. What u dod~given
opportunity for high grade administra-
ton am not proposing the postpone
ment OF any necessary expenditure. !
am urging and expecting the elimina-
tion Of every item that can be cut out
without detriment 10 the public service.
Wa may not make the grade. We will
not. however, ignominioualy surrender
without an honest effort.
The surplus Indicated for next year
Is only $2b2. .al0. .2a3. II result reached
after the most careful and studied es,i-
mate Of possible receipts and expected
expenditures ever made by the nureau