Evening star., 1932-04-21

of the Senate Subcommittee In charge
of the Treasury Department appropria-
ton bill for 1888 in which he set forth
his views on the appropriation cutting
policy of the Senate, follows;
April 20, 1882.
Hon. Tasker L. Oddie,
Chairman of the Subcommittee In
charge of the Treasury Department
appropriation bill, United States Senate.
MY Dear Mr. Chairman:
"I understand that I am to appear
before your subcommittee on Friday,
next in connection with the pl DIVISIONS
CT the resolution adopted by the Senate
on April 18, directing fiat reductlon
in the amount of appropriations for the
Treasury Department as at present con-
tanned in the appropriation bill, exclu-
sive of the provisions for building
construction.
1T occurs to me that the subcommit-
tee may desire to have the views OF this
department for consideration and STUDY
prior to my appearance, and tnat II
may be advantageous, If you deem II
desirable to insert this letter in the
Congressional Record.
IT appreciate the opportunity AFFORD
ed me to be heard, not only as the
head of the Treasury Department but
as representing a great b2dy OF falth-
full and efficient public servants VINO
have a vital interest in a sound soiu-
ton of this problem.
THE fat 10 Per cent cut would eI-
feet a saving of approximately Sl4,-
100000. / am prepared to molcate
nf
can be effected without impairment OF
the eficiencv of the department and
without necessitating the dismissal OF
thousands Of necessary employees.
Favors Furlough Plan.
"I am informed that the Senate has
not considered as vet the effectlng OF
the 10 per cent reduction by the use
of a fiye-dav week for per diem en-
ployes and of months furlough WITH
out paw for employees on an annual
basis. as suggested by the President.
"I recommend, therefore, that such
a provision be written into this appro-
priaticn bill, whether or not the sen
ate adopts the fiat cut method. Inc
furlough plan is Of itself souno meas
ure of economy. If the nat cut metn-
cd is to prevail. the furlough is essen
tial to mitigate the hardshipS incident
to this program. Legislation Is clearly
necessary if the furlough without pay
is to apply, for have grave DOUBTS as
to whether, without congressional sane
ton. the Executive could legally ana
properly effect what would be mool-
fication of the salaries provided Tor py
the Congress in the classification act.
"I recommend further that an
amendment be adopted providing that
NOT tn exceed Is per cent Of any one
apprcpriation may, with the approval
Of the Director of the Budget be trans
ferred to any other appropriation or
appropriations under the same oe-
partment. 49,
II recommend that in view OF the
pending revenue bill the Internal Reve,
nue. Bureau be In any event exciuoeo
from the 10 per cent cut provision,
though it should be mcluoeo III any
furlough provision. ,o.,
1T recommend that for the year 1888
the contracts covering certain bullolng
projects be not let, as indicated IN my
letter of March 90.
mo one is more vitality concerned
in reducing the cost OF Government
than the head of the Treasury Depart
ment. responsible for conducting the
fiscal affairs of the Nation in a time
of great difficulty, when our every effort
must be directed toward balancing the
budget and maintaining the punlc
credit. Economy is essential, put u
should be constructive economy acheveo
through the elimination OF waste, tne
curtailment of unnecessary actiVltles,
the postponement of projects not now
essential to the public welfare and the
nromotion of greater efficiency. An
arbitrary cut applying uniformly and
without discretion to every bureau ana
activity alike, irrespective OF its impor-
tance and irrespective of its efnclency
or ability 10 bear the cut, is not busl-
nesslike. and as I shall show may not
even be economy.
How Cut Would Operate
"Our total appropriations aggregate
s146,3l1, 1888. exclusive of the public
building item. OF this amount sll2,-
3os ,4o2 is for personal service, repre-
senting nearly n per cent of the total,
and s34,Oo5, ,586 is for supplies, equip
ment. and miscellaneous expenses, rep
resenting about % per cent of the total.
OF this last mentioned amount, more
than s1l 900 is for construction,
equipment and operation Of public
buildings; over, S7o00,00O for main
tenance and operation and repairs Of
Coast Guard vessels and stations, and
upon the non-war-connected disability
basis.
To modify procedures in suits against
the Government by veterans to require
review upon the basis of evidence be-
fore the administration instead of de
novo hearings.
Mills Testifies Tomorrow.
Oddie, after receiving Mills letter
smilingly told newspaper men he would
trade jobs with any one"
He explained that although he had
opposed the 10 per cent cut In The
Treasury Post Oflce appropriation