Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-18
FEDERAL EXPENSES
OUTLINED BY JONES
Senator, in Radio Forum,
I Says Higher Costs Show
Growth of Nation.


ington in a radio address last night.
Senator Jones, who is chairman of the
Senate Committee on Appropriations,
pointed out that the Nation spent
$500, 100000 for all its activities In
1873. and more than $4,000, 600, 900 in
the fiscal year 1890
Speaking in the National Radio
Forum, arranged by The Washington
Star and broadcast over the coast-to-
coast network of the Columbia Broad
casting System, Senator Jones said this
increase has been normal throughout
the years except where abnormal con-
ditions prevailed. AS an outgroWth OF
the Spanish and World Wars, he said,
appropriations for the Army and Navy
have greatly increased.
Activities along civil lines have also
greatly increased" ne said, and mace
larger appropriations necessary and
wise" Tie cited the postal service and
expenditures on roads as examples OF
the larger interests of the Government.
when examined honestly and WITH
out bias we are forced 10 the conclusion
that our expenditures are honestly ana
economically made to meet the actual
and legitimate needs of the Govern
ment,'' Senator Jones asserted IN
stead of indicating extravaganza, they
show the expanding activities and I'M
exampled growth OF wonderful coun-
The address of Senator Jones follows
IN full:
I have been asked to talk about gov
ernfnental appropriations. This is a
hard subject to make interesting. 1t is
q fine subject, however, to discuss over
the radio One who wants to be en-
tertained need not listen, and one VINO
wants to know of his Governments eX-
penditures can do so, while the speaker
can proceed on the assumption that ne
has a vast and attentive audience.
The growth, development and wealth
Of the country can be shown IN various
ways. AS think about it-as I study
1.-THE more I am convinced that the
best way to do this is to point out It's
increase in expenditures.
What more striking evidence of the
greatness and wealth of the Nation
than the fact that its expenditures for
all its activities so years ago were
$500 900 900, while for the fiscal year
1880 its expenditures will be over 81 ,BO0,-
600 900. Think about it, reflect over It,;
the more you do, the more wonderful 1t
becomes. Is this great increase the
result of extravaganza or the result OF
necessity? The people who produce the
money are entitled to know. We may
spend more than we ought to spend,
but I assert that what may be ex-
travagant, what may not be a neces-
sary expenditure is very small part
Of the total.
There is a normal governmental ex-
penditure, and there is an abnormal ex-
penditure, The increase in our eX-
penditures has been normal throughout
the years except where abnormal con-
ditions prevailed. We often hear charges
Of extravaganza. They are largely
made under the impulse Of partisanship
for political advantage and to bias our
people for or against some particular
proposition or party.
Indicate Growth.
When examined honestly and with
out bias we are forced to the conclusion
that our expenditures are honestly and
economically made to meet the actual
and legitimate needs OF the Govern
ment. Instead of indicating extrava-
Qance. they show the expanding activi-
ties and unexanlpled growth Of Won
derful country.
In 1873 our expenditures were in
round figures $500 100000 With
steady increase in population there was
a gradual expansion Of governmental
activities to meet the needs OF our
people and a steady increase in the
aggregate cost of these activities. This
steady unnoticed increase continued
until 1893 and 1894, when we were
thrilled by the statement that we had
q billion dollar Congress. That meant
more to our people than the statement
that our expenditures had reached the
sum of $500 900 900 a year, which was
the plain and simple fact.
The expenditures of the Government
under normal conditions have not in
creased in proportion to the popula-
ton, and this is a fact that refutes
many of the radical statements made.
In 1880 the expenditures Of the Gov
eminent were in round figures $685.
OOO. 600, in 1885 $500, 100000 and in
1890 1895, 900, 600. Between these dates
the expenditures varied slightly.
When we became a billion dollar
Congress this was an increase OF nearly
$500, 100000 over the preceding Con-
gress. What was the cause of 1t? Not
extravagance, but increased pensions
and most office facilities accounted for
nearly all of it. Everybody was for
these increases. They were just and
necessary.
Wars Increase Costs.
In 1899 we appropriated 1892, 900, 900
IN one year, or almost as mucn as IN
the two preceding years. Why? Be
cause of the Spanish War. From 1893
to 1908 our expenditures had increased
only about S27,000,000. In 1908 we APP
propriated a little over S9l9,OOO'OOO.
In 1909 our annual appropriation ex-
ceeded one billion dollars, and pro-
ceeded at a normal rate 10 1915, when
It had reached 81, 100000. Instead
Of being a billion dollar Congress we
have become a two-billion dollar Con-
gress.
AS the outgrowth of the Spanish and
World Wars the appropriations Tor our
Army and Navy have greatly increased.
In 1890 the appropriation for the army
was S36, 500 900, while for the f1scal year
of 1881 we appropriated over 1881 ,OOO,-
mn In 1890 the appropriation for the
NAVY was sci 100000 and for 1881 1t
IS over $3.50 900, 900. In 1885 the appro-
priations for all the activities OF the
government amounted TO 100000, 900.
we have appropriated for the fiscal year
for the Army alone more than this sum
and also more than this sum for the
Navy.
While our Army and Navy appropri-
atoms have greatly increased by reason
Of the war and its necessary results, our
activities along civil lines have also
greatly increased and made larger
appropriations necessary and wise
Nowhere is this more marked than In
connection with out post office develop
Yner1tS. This of course, has kept pace
with our industrial growth and develop
ment.
In 1890 there was appropriated for
the post Office service $66,000,000. For
the fiscal 1881 we have appropriated
over ss36,O00 900. This is largely re-
paid from the service itself, although
Your Face is Clean
yet you might be nnknowinEly ofendinG