Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-12-05

In the last budget tnere was an over
estimate of the amount from the gas
tax, which has made necessary lower
recommendation this year, but all of
the purchase of 1000 horses, 1000
mules and $500. 1000 worth of new motor
cars and trucks; for the maintenance
in part of war reserves; for surveillance
of and protection of stocks of ammun1-
ton to prevent deterioration and spon-
taneous combustion; for the continual
ton of Army laundries at general hos
pitfalls, the disciplinary barracks and
at various camps, posts and stations;
for the upkeep of existing Notifications
and accessories, and for carrying for
ward the general plan for the protec-
ton of the Panama Canal.
For the Air Corps of the Regular
Army 3,447, 429 is estimated, of which
amount S2,2500 900 is for liquidating OBJ
legations previously incurred under con-
tract authorizations. In addition, the
budget makes provision for Army avia-
ton to the extent of approximately
S32, 500 900, various sums aggregatlng
this amount being included in the esti-
mates for the pay and supply branches
of the Army for application to the
maintenance, operation and expansion
of the Air Corps of the Regular Army
and in the estimates for the National
Guard and Organized Reserves. The
amount provided in the budget estimates
for the purchase of airplanes, their
spare parts and accessories, aggregates
$18,258,942, of which $17,439, 260 is for
the Air Corps of the Regular Army,
100000 for the National Guard, and
nE &c,
For the United States Military Acad-
envy provision is made for the essentials
connected with its maintenance and
operation, and 100000 is provided to-
ward the construction of a new cadet
barracks.
The estimates provide 100000 for
the national matches on the same basis
as for the fiscal year 1929
Approximately $1,700,000 Is included
in the estimates tn provide for salary
increases authorized by the act of May
%, 1928.
Excluding all items of a non military
character, as we'll as the pay OF military
personnel on the retired lists of the
Army, the total amount provided for
national defense in the War Depart
ment budget estimates is 1903, 744, 101.
Funds recommended will care for the
various non-military activities of the
War Department, such as national GEM
eteries, national military parks, ma
tional monuments and memorials, and
the Alaska cable and telegraph sys-
tenn, and will maintain existing roads,
bridges and trails in Alaska.
For rivers and harbors $50 900 Is
carried for the maintenance and i'm
provement of existing river and harbor
works, In addition to 1920, 600 which
will be available from permanent Spe-
cific and indefinite appropriations and
contributed funds. For flood control on
the Mississippi and Sacramento rivers
$50 ,0O0, 900 and 81 900 900, respectively,
are estimated In addition, an estimate
of $4,370,000 is submitted under the
provisions of the flood control act APP
proved May IS. 1928, to cover refund
ment to the State of California of funds
previously contributed by that State for
flood control on the Sacramento River.
For the maintenance and operation of
Dam No. 2, Muscle Shoals, Ala, includ-
ing its hydroelectric power plant, $270,-
900 is estimated. This plant is being
operated and the power generated Is
sold to private interests, and is produce
ing net annual revenue of approx
mately 100000, which is deposited in
the Treasury to the credit of miScella-
neous receipts. The total provided for
all items of river and harbor work, in
GLIDING flood control, is $93, 647. 500.
For the National Home for Disabled
Volunteer Soldiers the Budget estimate
provides for the essentials connected
with the maintenance and operation of
the ten homes and for aid to State and
territorial homes for disabled soldiers
and sailors.
Panama Canal.
For the Panama Canal the budget
estimates provide for essentials neces-
sary for the normal maintenance and
operation of the canal, and for the
sanitation and civil government of the
Canal Zone. In addition, provision is
made for capital additions consisting of
100000 for continuing the construction
of permanent quarters for canal en-
ployeS; 100000 for additional nurses
quarters at Gorgas Hospital $4,000 for
highway resurfacing; $176,000 for the
purchase of four towing locomotives, and
$1,000,O00 toward the construction of a
dam across the Chagres River, at AL
hajuela, Panama. to provide for addi-
tional storage of water for use in the
operation of the canal. This latter prof.
ect was commenced during the fiscal
year 1929 with an initial appropriation
of $250.000. Its total cost is estimated
at $12.000,O 900.
In connection with budget estimates
for maintaining and operating this
great national asset the following infor-
nation is of interest:
The investment in the canal and its
adjunctS is partly for national defense
and partly commercial. To June 80.
1928, the investment charged to national
defense was $l13, 1888 and to COM
mercial use $269, 1895, O4l. the total in
yestment being 1888. 1922 79 which is
exclusive of Notifications, military posts
and naval bases.
The total gross revenues from the
opening of the canal to June 80. 1928.
amounted to $685., $50 .019, derived from
tolis taxes and business operations. De-
Quoting from this the expenses incident
10 tranSitmg vessels through the canal,
$l04,028,845. and expenses connected
with business operations, $159,608, 734,
which includes the value of services,
supplies and materials sold, we have a
net revenue, excluding interest on the
investment Of $98.915 ,440. OF this, $92,-
229,l2l was from tolls and taxes and
$6,686,3l9 from business operations In
cluded III the expense account for the
canal are fixed annual charges of ST.
l38,474 for depreciation and amortiza-
ton OF canal fixed property and $743 900
for depreciation on canal plants and
equipment. The amount of tolls collected
mas increased from $5,627, 463 in 1917
to S26,943.5l3 in 1923. the increase for
1928 over 1927 amounting to $2.7i4,6a3.