The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-21
Wise Economy

With plans perfected for financing federal relief
without dipping into the federal treasury, with the
last Of the annual appropriation bills out Of the way
in the house Of representatives and with the senate
making substantial progress toward further reducing
the amount Of the appropriation bills balanced
operating budget is in sight at last.
Tariffs alone block the way. and make It uncer-
tain whether the vitality necessary tax bill shall be
passed within two weeks, or much later.
Wher that problem is disposed Of. only agreement
by congress upon specific items Of the revenue bill
and the federal economy and appropriation bills will
stand between the people and the assurance they
seek Of the countrys financial stability And those
should present no great difficulties.
Savings already accomplished almost equal the
amount needed together with the tax bill, to bal
the budget The house has cut $50 100000 from
the annual supply bills The senate already has cut
another s1747l 000 The minimum amount TO be
saved under the house economy bill $50 o00 These
add 70 total Of approximately s2OOoooO0o, and the
treasury department asked for economies Of only
s24i 100000 TO balance the budget.
In addition the senate now has under considera-
ton a plan take all public works proposed for 1888
out Of the annual supply bills and to finance them
by means Of bonds. This proposal if it is enacted
will cut current expenses about s250OO0000; and if
the senate also continues with its 10 per cent cuts
of the government will mount something like three
quarters Of billion dollars.
Probably the most important point still at issue
concerns the kind OF economies TO be made
The house failed to cut the military services to
the extent the civil services have been cut Gaping
this disappointing performance by insisting that
summer camps shall be conducted for college r. o.
T. C. boys and C. M. T. O. boys, even though
tial services of the government crippled to make
these possible
The senate should enforce upon the military the
same hardships that civilian branches of the govern
ment are being called on to bear. For the army to
escape with cut Of 10 per cent under 1882 expend
while the interior department is cut "a per cent
is ridiculous and unsound
Neither branch Of congress has given sufficient at
tention to eecting economies in the s5OOOOOOO set
in the budget for choking prohibition down the
Threats Of the people. small cut in the prohibit
ton bureau allotment is being protested
Nothing has been done to cut the millions spent
by the coast guard, the border patrol the bureau Of
industrial alcohol in futile attempts to enforce dry
laws
Subsidies paid to steamship companies and air.
plane companies, under the guise of mail contracts
should be among the first items to fall before the
economy AK. 1t is indefensibe at time like this
to collect from bmdened taxpayers more than
s50OOOOO for the administration TO pass out to these
lines of business
The President is trying to block consolidation of
the war and navy departments, which would not
cripple defense but would save upward of hundred
million dollars by eliminating overhead charges and
overlapping functions and by mass purchase of
supplies.
The economy program will not be complete until
this is done.
If the economy pruning knife is applied wisely,
the structure of the federal government need be
damaged. 1t may be improved definitely.