The Bismarck tribune., 1932-12-06

leOuCllOn OF APPROPRIATIONS WILL, now
ever, be partially offset by an in.
crease of about $3.50, 900, 900 in uncon.
trollable items such as increased debt
services, etc.
In the budget there is included only
the completion of the federal public
works projects already undertaken OF
under contract. Speeding up of fed.
eral public works during the pas,
four years as an aid to employment
has advanced many types Of such i'm.
provement to the point where further
expansion cannot be justified in theil
usefulness to the government or the
people. AS an aid to unemployment,
we should, beyond the normal con.
structive programs, substitute repro.
ductive or so-called self -liQuidatine
works. Loans for such purposes have
been provided for through the Re-
construction Finance Corporation
This change in character of projects
directly relieves the taxpayer and is
capable of expansion into a larger
field than the direct federal works
| The reproductive works constitute ar
addition to national wealth and to fu-
ture employment, whereas further un-
due expansion Of federal public works
Is but a burden upon the future.
Construction Program Slashed
The federal construction program
thus limited to commitments and work
in progress under the proposed ap-
preparations contemplates expendi-
lures for the next fiscal year, includ
ing naval and other vessel construc-
ton. as we'll as other forms of public
works and maintenance, of total OF
S442, 1853, 900 as compared with S7l7,-
262,000 for the present year.
The expenditure on such items over
the four years ending June 80 next
will amount to $2,350,O0O, 900, or an
amount of construction work eight
times as great as the cost of the Pan
ANA Canal and, except for compile
| ton of certain long-view projects,
places the nation in many directions
well ahead of its requirements for
some years to come. A normal pro-
gram of about s2OOOOOOOO per annum
should hereafter provide for the coun-
try's necessities and will permit sub
stantial future reduction in federal
expenditures.
l recommend that the furlough sys-
tenn installed last year be continued,
not only because of the economy pro-
duced but because being tantamount
to the "5-day week." it sets an ex-
ample which should, be followed by
the country and because it embraces
Wit hin itc ,rnrE i,,n hn p~lr,,
principle and thus serves to maintain
a number of public servants who
would otherwise be deprived of all
income. l feel, however. in view Of the
present. economic situation and the
decrease in the cost Of living by over
20 per cent, that some further sacfi-
flee should be made by Salaried Of
ticialS of the government over and
above the 1-3 per cent reduction un-
der the furlough system. 1 will rec
ommend that after eXempting the
first $1,000 of salary there should
be temporary reduction for one year
Of II per cent of that part of all
government salaries in the excess Of
] the $1,000 exemption, the result of
which. combined with the furlough
system, will average about 14.8 per
cent reduction in pay to those earn
ing more than $1,000
Cut Veterans Costs
l will recommend measures to elm
mate certain payments in the veter-
ans services. I conceive these out
lays were entirely beyond the original
intentions of congress in building up
veterans allowances. Many abuses
have grown up from ill-considered
legislation. They should be elimin-
ated The nation should not ask for
a reduction in allowances to men and
dependents whose disabilities rise out
OF war service nor to those veterans
with substantial service who have be-
come totally disabled from non-war-
connected causes and who are at the
same time without other support.
These latter veterans are a charge
on the community at some point and
1 feel that, in view of their service to
the nation as whole, the respon-
slbllity should fall upon the federal
I government.
! Many of the economies recommend
cd in the budget were presented at the
last session of the congress but failed
of adoption. If the economy and
appropriations committees of the con-
gress in canvassing these proposed
/ expenditures shall find further re-
! auctions which can be made without
impairing essential government SER
vices. it will be welcomed both by the
country and by myself. But under no
circumstances do I feel that the con-
gress should fail to uphold the total
OF reductions recommended.
Some of the older revenues and
some of the revenues provided under
the act during the last session of the
congress, particularly those generally
referred TO as the nuisance taxes
have not been as prolific Of income as
had been hoped. Further revenue is
necessary in addition to the amount
OF reductions in expenditures recon-
mended. Many of the manufacturers
excise taxes upon selected industries
not only failed to produce satisfac-
tory revenue, but they are in many
ways unjust and discriminatory. The
time has come when. if the govern
ment is to have an adequate basis OF
revenue to assure balanced budget
this system of special manufacturer
excise taxes should be extended tc
cover practically all manufactures al
a uniform rate. except necessary fooG
and possibly some grades of cloth.
ing
Would Reorganize Government
AT the last session the congress re.
sponded to my request for authority
to reorganize the government depart.
ments. The act provides for the
grouping and consolidation of execu-
tive and administrative agencies &C.
cording to major purposes, and there.
by reducing the number of overlap
and duplication of effort. Executive
orders issued for these purposes are
required to be transmitted to the con-
gresS while in session and do not be.
come effective until after the expira.
ton of 60 calendar days after such