New Britain herald., 1928-12-01
ECONOMY GOVERNMENT

taxes has been exerted at every
gathering OF Congress since the
war. To satisfy public demand four
tax reduction measures have been
enacted. The Republican party
points to these with pride. although
the Democratic minority helped ma
terially- in bringing about this re-
suit: indeed. Senator Simmons of
South Carolina favored a far heavier
tax slash than the Republicans
would allow. At the forthcoming
session of Congress this month.
however. there is little likelihood of
further tax slashing. INSTEAD, Presi-
dent Coolidge is expected TO an
nounce In his annual message at the
opening of Congress that the time
for additional strict economy in gov
ernmental expenditures has arrived:
, that the nation is faced with def
icit in governmental finances rath-
er than a surplus. as for some years
past.
The lugubrious figures forecast
by the Budget Bureau. of course.
may not really eventuate. 1t will be
remembered that after the adjourn
ment of the last session of Congress
the bureau predicted that the year
would end with a deficit Of nearly
! 95,00O.0OO. all due to increased ex-
penditures authorized by Congress
in the face of decreased taxation re-
| turns.
| The deficit, however, is not yet
here. There has been substantial
increase In governmental revenues
the past five months. Instead of a
deficit, the new budget may show
a balance. If this takes place it will
not be surprising. Secretary Mellon
himself used to predict SURPRISES
that were far lower than the actual
surpluses; and the budget bureau
may be just as poor guesser as was
the secretary.
There Is something to be said in
favor of economy in government
in practice as well as in theory
There has been mint of theory on
this subject during recent years; YET
it is a matter of record that there
has been a substantial increase ir
the expenditures of all the import
ant governmental departments while
the president has been talking
economy. Increases of departments
since the 69th congress have aver.
aged IA per cent. not including per
manent and indefinite appropria.
stions. or appropriations carried If
deficiency and miscellaneous acts
Total appropriations by the last
Congress were lis per cent above
the totals appropriated by the pre-
vious Congress. This lis per cent
| increase amounted to the neat sun
of s47s,734.29s.
While the President has advo.
Gated the Kellogg peace pact the
increase in the costs of running the
war department has been 1913 pei
cent during the period between the
last two congresses: the increase ir
the Navy department has been 49,:
per cent. At the same time the Ad.
ministration's five year naval build.
ing program will cost $4,000, 900
the cost of 25 cruisers. nine destroy.
er leaders, five aircraft carriers and
35 submarines The bill was favor.
ably reported in the House last ses.
! sion, but was not taken I'D in the
Senate. Meanwhile, on Armistice
Day. the President let fly strong
statement calculated to impress the
Senate as well as Great Britain anG
the publcs in the two nations. If the
! Senate passes the bill ii undoubtedly
will be followed at once by an eff
fort to obtain an appropriation o
$50. 900 or more at once for thu
immediate beginning of construction
under the authorized program.