Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-11-11
BYRD ASKS SLASH
IN VETERAN OUTLAY
Admiral Predicts Bankruptcy
Unless High Cost of Gov
eminent Is Cut.

Admiral Richard E. Byrd, explorer Of
Polar regions. now touring the country
as a spokesman for the National Econ
omy League. told large Washington
audience last night there must be a
change in the program of expenditures
for war veterans If the Nation Is to be
saved from bankruptcy.
Addressing approximately 900 men,
bers of the Washington Board of Trade
at their November meeting at the Will
lard Hotel, Admiral Byrd pointed to
veteran administration costs as one field
where he believed huge savings could
be accomplished.
He said the league stands for ade-
quate care and compensation for vet
Grams disabled in war service, but also
asserted If service for country is to be
measured in dollars and cents, the Ma
ton cannot possibly survive"
He added that the National Economy
League stands four-square for the
principle that no soldier who comes
back from war well and able-bodied
shall be supported for the rest of his
life for the honor and privilege of 60
ing to the defense of this Nation
Chaos Held Possible.
Admiral Byrd has delivered about $50
lectures in 20 different States in carry
ing on the program of the Economy
League. His contemplated second ex-
ploration of the South Polar region, he
October. due to the conditions now
facing this country. Meantime, he is
working to arouse the American people
to realization of the mounting costs Of
government.
There will be no work for the hun
cry horde of the unemployed citizens
until high taxes are cut" he declared
at the outset. If the yoke of our high
cost of government is not thrown off
chaos and bankruptcy will eventually
prevail"
Striking out at Hobbies. the speaker
declared the American Government to-
day is controlled in considerable meas
ure by groups of selfish but splendidly
organized minorities. who have death
grip on the throat of government, city
and State, as we'll as Federal
To emphasize the costs of govern
ment. he reported the total annual cost
of S15.000,0 100000 is nearly one-third of
the total income of all the employed
persons.
The greatest savings in the costs of
government, he declared, can be eff
fected in State and local taxes. In or
der to restore normal condition he
declared, State and local taxes must be
reduced about S2,750.000.0O0. The
Economy League takes the position, he
added. that about 100000 900 can be
cut from the Federal budget by pre-
venting duplication and extravaganza.
Does Not Blame Legion.
He cited veterans legislation as one
item of Federal cost that requires in
vestigation."
Admiral Byrd said he did not blame
the American Legion for the enactment
of the veterans legislation; that the
majority of the veterans were thinking
straight" He added, however, that
there is minority that does not I'M
derStand the gravity of its demands"
The meeting also was addressed by
w. w. Wheeler, who delivered a plea
for public support for the Community
Chest of Washington in its campaign
now being started for the budget neceS-
sary to care for the unfortunate resi-
dents of the District in 1888. He drew
a picture of the distress that the de-
preston has left in its wake here, and
declared the employed Washingtonian
should feel it is his privilege as well
as responsibility to help.
Maj. Ernest w. Brown, the new head
OF Cne washington FOllCe DepdTtHle
was presented to the gathering
c. Melvin Sharpe, representing the
Potomoc Electric Power Co.. outlined
the development program carried for
ward by the concern during the last
three years and plans for extensive ad-
ditional construction. The new work, he
said, includes erection of a huge new
power plant in the BuzZard Point Grea,
east of the War College, which has an
estimated cost of $5,000,0G0.
Economy Measure Also.
To start this project now. he said,
will provide measure Of relief OF I'M
employment and at the same time serve
as an economy measure, due to the
present level of commodity costs.
He told also of plans of the power
company to establish a new substation
in the Takoma area, which would -
connected with the power plant AZ
Ellicott City. Md. With this connection.
the new plant at BuZzard Point and
the present plant at Benning, he pointed
out, Washington would have three in
dependent sources of power.
Wallace Robinson announced plans
for the annual Midwinter dinner meet
ing of the Board Of Trade, to be held
next February a.
Ben T. Webster, president of the
board, presided. Musical entertainment
was provided by Jewell Downs. Jessie
Kerner, Erna Embrey, Earl Nails and
G.. H. Lambert.