Evening star., 1932-04-15

Conferences between congressional
committees and the President are ex-
pected b. the country to point the way
toward a more economical adminlstra-
ton Of Government affairs in the fu-
ture The necessity of approaching the
task in q non-partisan spirit Is empha-
sized, while the difficulty OF escaping the
pressure of special groups is recognized.
THE conference may at least be
claimed ss a turning point" says the
Roanoke World-News, pointing out that
"for 10 years Government expenditures
have mounted steadily and at an alarm
ing rate" but holding that even If no
great reduction is now brought about 1t
is apparent that the era OF increases Is
over" The World-NeWs advises: Many
of the cuts proposed at the conference
will not actually be made. The inter-
estS affected will be quick to protest, 10
set up argument and persuasion, and TO
start a back fire in the home district of
any Congressman who advocates them.
Each item has its advocates and no per-
quisites will be willingly surrendered.
"a fairly sens ational start has been
made by the President and his con-
ferees.' according to the. Rutland Her
aid, referring to "a mere matter OF
100000, 900" as lust beginning" OF
the general plan the Herald offers the
opinion: Beginning with the Presl-
dent, Vice President, members OF the
Cabinet and of Congress, salary cuts
are projected that are unique IN poltlcaI
history, while the proposals for five
dav week, staggered employment for
Salaried employees, retirement OF super
annunated employees, no Saturday hall
holidays and extra pay for overtime to
be abolished will undoubtedly result IN
a terrific protest from those most hurt
thereby, yet that sort Of thing has been
deemed necessary by thousands OF en-
ployers."
Quoting a statement by Senator
Smoot that the budget will be balanced
with the least burden on business and
the people of the country" the Chicago
Tribune offers the comment on its rela-
tions to the economy efforts which are
under way: "Mr. Smoot'S formula, If
it is to be effective. must be translated
into terms of economy rather than OF
new taxes. If that is done, his CONVEX
sion will be of great. even epochal, i'm
portance to the country; for 1t will sig
nalize TIE acceDtance in Washington
of the fact that budgets can be balanced
as well by reducing costs as by increas-
ing taxes. How difficult it is for politl-
clans to slash the appropriations is in
dicated by the limited accomplishment
of the Hoover congressional conferences
on economies. After weeks Of intensive
demand for relief from all corners of
the United States, Congress and the
Executive finally put their heads to-
gether and worked out a program OF
savings What they will amount to, II
adopted, is still to be determined but
probably $500, 0000 900 is the most that
can be expected under. the present
scheme. That sum is less than per
cent of the present annual cost OF the
Federal Government. AS a start that
is something, but the taxpayers Will not
be content with so small a reduction.
If Mr. Shoots statement can be read as
a pledge of much more substantial re-
duction the country has reason Tor sat
isfaction. Meanwhile taxpayers viii be
well advised to continue their pressure
for genuine relief unrelentingly."
Considering the matter in its relation
to the defeat of the sales tax, the BoS-
ton Herald says Of the present effort:
1.-The very failure to provide sufhclent
revenue has become the occasion OF the
most wholesome examination which has
ever been made of Federal activities.
The administration and the House Com
mittee or Economy have already agreed
on many reforms of administration.
More are 10 come The dark cloud has
a 5000 600, 900 lining. Although many
general statements of town, city, county,
State and national laviShness of spend
ing have been made and accepted, un-
fortunately the arguments have not al
ways been well buttressed. The Presi-
dent and the committee are doing that
work now on a grand scale. and further
rs-Na Hn a1 n
House and Senate. Obviously. the far
reaching recommendations would not
have been issued If either the Executive