The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-01-05
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press stan Correspondent
lCopvrlght. 1893. bv United Press

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lcopvright 1898 bv United Press
WASHINGTON, Jan 5.-Econo-
my efforts which Presldent-Elect
Franklin D. Roosevelt and his
Democratic congressional leaders
are attempting to shape, face two
high barriers
one is the fact that Of every
dollar in taxes collected, 33 cents
goes toward paying interest on the
public debt. and toward retiring TINS
debt. This practically is fixed
charge. 80
cents Of the tax dollar goes, accord
inr to federal budget figures TO ma
tjonal defense, military pensions,
life insurance and such. 1t covers
all veterans allowances.
This group Of expenditures IS pro
tected by strong patriotic 1eeIhg
and the work Of Wcll-organized spe-
clal groups. Congress thus far has
been unable to resist the pressure
which protects this expenditure. on
the contrary it has been inclined
to increase the outlay.
National Defense Cost High
More fundamentally many !
congress oppose reducing national
defense appropriations materially so
long as the international situation
remains as it is.
1t may develop that for the great
est economy in national defense, the
administration will be obliged to
take an obliuue course and first de-
vote itself toward bringing about
real disarmament and adjustment OF
irritating international situations.
Meantime. however, some leaders
in congress believe that minor econ
omies could be effected in the ma
tional defense if members would
abandon pork barrel ideas.
Economy Faces Fight
The army general staff drew up a
list of fifty obsolete interior posts
which it said could be abandoned
without injury to the military de-
lenses Of the country.
But congressman, in whose dis
tricts these forts are located, gen.
orally objected 50 that actually only
a dozen have been closed
The war department is Just now
closing out Ft. D. A. Russell at
Maria, Tex, but it had to undergo a
severe tongue-lashing from Texans
in and out Of congress in so doing.
The same situation obtains with
regard to navy yards and other
naval establishments. The fact that
each abandonment works real hard
ship and loss on the communities
involved causes hesitation.
War Departments Share
Ten cents of the tax dollar goes
to the war department, though
portion Of this is for non military
activities such as river and harbor
work
Eight and half cents goes to the
navy.
Almost &c cents goes to the vet
Grams bureau.
This is the target of most large
scale bombardment, Expenditures
of this bureau are now practically
$1,000 100000 a year. That is almost
one dollar out of every four col
lected. 1t is more than the COM
bined cost Of the army and navy.
A running battle is now going on
in congress over the merits Of this
expenditure.
General Hines, director of the
bureau, views the mounting cost
with concern.
Fought on Veterans Pay
Economy groups this week urged
a joint congressional committee %
cut the veterans outlay by more
than S4O0,O00,OOO Veterans retort
that some leaders in this hostile
crusade themselves draw fancy re-
tired pay, men such as Admiral
Byrd and General Harbord now
head of the radio corporation of
America.
The fight over Veterans relief
promises to be long pull. Seven
persons still are drawing pensions
of $50 a month as a result of the
war of 1912 which was III years
ago-SiX widows and one daughter
The rolls carry ATS benefciaries of
the Mexican war.