Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-12-03
Country Predicts Efforts to
Accomplish Tax Economy

As prominent members Of both ma
jor parties have promised reductions in
the cost of Federal Government, rang
ing from half billion to billion dol
lars, comments Of the country involve
predictions that something substantial
will be achieved. 1t is agreed that such
action is greatly to be desired because
increased taxation to balance the
budget would be most burdensome.
There Is uncertainty, however, as to
the items that would contribute to the
total reduction.
"A far more substantial reduction Of
governmental costs than Congress has
been willing thus far to contemplate. 2
Is linked by the New York Times with
the proposed general sales tax, and that
paper offers the opinion: Both are
heroic measures for politicians to apply.
The sales tax requires abandonment OF
the theory that 1t is possible to add
greatly to the Governments revenue by
singing out few industries and few
groups of taxpayers for special burdens.
The other requires frontal attack on
the expense of the general public. Yet
Means Committee completes its present
study. that action along these lines is
the price Of balanced budget"
The nation needs a moratorium on
politics, at least until sound reorgan-
ization of the Federal machinery can
be effected" declares the Providence
Journal, with the belief that the tax
payers have right to expect q great
deal of constructive effort from Con-
gress in the present extraordinary cir
cumstances." The Chicago Daily News
emphasizes the immense waste result
ing from spoils administration Of pub
lie affairs" and holds that "the cry
for economy In Government must be q
vain cry SO long as spoilsmen are per-
mitted by the people to dominate the
scene"
The country has heard numerous
promises of reductions in governmental
Pilot. 1T beheld In the last session OF
Congress both the executive and the
legislative branches proclaiming Their
fealty to such a program. Unfortu-
nately, it also witnessed both an in.
ability to agree on the form reduction,
should take and a determined effort or
the part Of various Enthusiastically
cabinet officers and department heads
TO prevent the decreased expenditures
That were proposed. The whole record
Is Uttered with ample promises and
inadequate performances" The Kansas
City Star states that the demands fol
economy have been greater and more
urgent" and joins the fact that the
President Is active in that direction
with the pledge Of the incoming admin.
istration that 1t will make . billion
dollar reduction.
Such a reduction ~ Is proposed, >
advises the Springfield CMass) Union
may not be more than IAN per cent
Of the ordinary expenditures Of thu
Federal Government, as the expendi.
lures OF 1881 were swelled by specia
appropriations Tor relief measures. II
would. therefore, be not more than one.
hall Of the as per cent reduction te
which President elect Roosevelt and hi
party are pledged. But 1t II probably
as far as can be gone without tina,
reorganization Of the departments anc
bureaus which has long been advocated
but which still remains to be achieved.
Combining the Federal situation with
that in the States and cities. as affect.
ing the burden of he people. the UnioF
comments: "As the total cost Of thu
State and local governments In thu
country has been estimated ct I'll .000,.
000. 900, . l2l7 per cent reduction b
their expenditures would amount u
about 81 ,s75, 900 600. Probabilities m
that the aggfegate reductions WIN rui
tsinly they WIN need 70 run tsr heyoos