Evening star., 1932-06-07

meet. In our days Of great prosperity
we were reckless in our expenditures,
not that we wasted our money, althougn
that criticism is made time and again.
but we took upon ourselves obligations
that could have been delayed and oth-
ers that were not absolutely necessary.
The cry reduce taxes" cannot be met
now as many would have US meet II
without repudiating our obligations or
taking action that would cause more
harm and loss than 1t would DO good.
The direct burden Of taxes from wnlcn
our people are suffering comes from
CITY. county and State taxes with which
Congress has nothing directly to do.
We should consider them, however, IN
taking on obligations by the National
Government. In the heyday OF pros
perity we are apt to forget that the
reckoning Is bound to come and that 1t
NAV come when We are not prepared,
when the burden will be heavy.
MY concern tonight is especially
with the national expenditures and OBJ
legations. We are peaceful people,
and yet our national burdens from
which we suffer come largely from war
Sixty-f1ve or seventy per cent Of our taxes
are direct result of war or preparation
for war When was is over its burdens
do not cease-in days of adversely like
these they do not lessen. If We were
careless in our day of prosperity IN fix
ing these burdens, We may correct them
now in time Of adversely. and no one.
am sure, will more cheerfully aid IN cor
recting them than the soldiers them
selves. We cannot, however, bring about
reductions to any great extent. We
must not overlook, either, the fact that
those who bore the brunt of the battle
and who endured its privations must
continue to aid in carrying its burdens
They are among our best citizenS-they
are more and more taking on the duties
of the State and its responsibilities
Our people are mp:lining at the in
creased cost of government. There Is
greatly increased cost. Why? Is 1t
through waste or extravaganza? II so,
it must be stopped at any cost. Let us
see: In the present fiscal year We are
appropriating S945, ,438,878 for the Veter-
ans Administration. A sum even larger,
S990410,600. for sinking fund require
ments and interest on the public debt,
must be provided. These two amounts,
representing practically 100000,
are a direct outgrowth Of the World
War, which has been one of the main
factors in our increased appropriations,
and which will remain chief reason
for our large appropriations for many
years to come.
Needs Caused Increase.
zone Of the most necessary and
needed appropriations we have is for
the postal service. It Is the heart Of
our very existence-it reaches the
hearthstone of every citizen, whether
rich or poor. In 1918 this service cost
us S273,O54 ,249-in 1882. $84l ,483, TIT,
or three times as much. What has
made this increase? Not waste or ex-
travagance. but the needs and welfare
of our people. Their wants have in
creased, their needs have multiplied.
The service has been expanded and
with it have come increased con-
veniencs for our citizenry. Would you
have this development stopped?
Rural delivery of mail IS another
service the cost Of which has mounted
steadily. In 1918 we spent for it sat-
OOO,O00 while this fiscal year we are
spending slO7 $4,000 Would our peo-
pie be willing to curtail this service?
think not.
Again, in 1918 we spent for public
buildings s10,057,432. Now we have a
program upon which We are spending
30 ,SZt,f0U dIIluduy. LII IlOi IIdl llIIlcS
that would be considered good policy.
Now there is difference Of opinion.
This program, of course, gives employ
ment to labor of various kinds, but the
money expended must be raised by
taxes on the people. Another fact. too.
is overlooked-the site for the building
is taken off the tax roll forever. Local
taxes are increased from year to year.
This may be why we see in the press
from time to time that cities and towns
are beginning to ask that appropria-
tions heretofore made for public build
ings be not expended. Expenditures
for productive works may well be made,
but is it wise during these times to
spend the peoples money for public
works that are not only unproductive,
but deprive the community of some
revenue to defray its own expenses?
Here We might make some savings for
the time being If the people would look
with favor upon it.
'I will mention one other service that
has greatly expanded. In 1913 We spent
$525,o00 for Federal highway work,
while now we are following regular
nroprano that calls for an annual eY-