The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-01-20
(lII'i'i{I19 &|S5jjiqet{k
National Topics Interpreted - G1na1fl9
by William Bruckart nMI1lILZ
PressB Washington, D. C.

well as the new children whose par
ents are politicians.
In this connection, let us advert
to that budget mentioned at the
opening of this discussion. The De-
partment of Commerce that year
was getting something like seven
million dollars, as I recall. In this
years budget the appropriation is
for $44, 10000.
Now, assume some one will point
out that the functions of the Depart
ment of Commerce have expanded
immeasureably. That is true. The
development of aviation has added
many millions to the required ex-
penditure of that government
agency. In other words, the federal
government has to meet new condi-
tons just like it's citizens must meet
new conditions. But the point am
trying to make is this: there are
enough of those necessary expendi-
lures, outgo that cannot be avoided
because they represent real govern
mental functions, without adding a
lot of trick schemes, visionary
ideas, theoretical possibilities to the
functions of the federal government.
There is not space here to list them,
but every one of the older agencies
has been guilty of biting off new
appropriations through the medium
of a new child or two or three Of
its own every few years. I am not
suggesting, therefore, that those es-
tablished agencies, those that have
proved necessary, are to be cut
out. I am only proposing they be
restricted; that the experimental
ones be killed off and that there be
no new children to force further
waste of Uncle Sans limited funds.
I think I can make the suggestion
about limitation on the size of fam
lilies of governmental agencies. The
farm security administration, which
used to be called the resettlement
administration, prohibits a family
from occupying the model houses of
Greenbelt if there are more than
two children.
I have authority, too, for terming
many of these expenditures waste.
~, The authority is
Wdnton t h e comptroller
Waste general of the
United States. The
comptroller general sent his an
nual report to congress recently.
In it he charged there had been
wanton waste of government money
by most of the federal agencies. He
did not charge dishonesty-just
something like weak minds in the
way they planned and spent and
did not keep books to show ex-
actly what had happened.
The comptroller general, R. N.
Elliott, told congress that there was
a regular campaign going on among
what is usually called the spending
agencies of the government to get
control of their spending without
checkups by the general accounting
office. There are continued efforts,
he said, tto secure for spending
agencies legislation making further
surrender by the legislative branch
(congress) of its right and author
ity to direct by law the use of public
funds" Of course, Mr.. Elliott made
no reference to the Presidents re-
peated demands of congress for
what is called blank check" appro-
priations. There were few persons,
however, who failed to connect the
two. The report singled out the
Department of Justice, the War
and Navy departments and whole
flock of the independent children as
agencies that are getting out of line
in keeping track of what they do
with their appropriations.
From these facts, it may be ap-
parent to every one that real need
exists for tight grip by congress
on appropriations and an absolute
cessation Of the great game of start
ing new agencies. Further, be-
ieve it can not be doubted that if
congress has any courage at all it
will start pairing, not next year or
the year after that, but right now.
It is going to take courage of a rare
sort. Congress loves to spend mon
ey just as much as Mr.. Roosevelt
does, what with all of the patron
age and pork that results. Some
where, sometime, however, the bill
has to be paid and the voters are
the folks who will have to pay. After
all, there are only 531 senators and
representatives and there are some
thing like sixty million voters. And
the thought for the day is, as it
was in 1922: where are these ex-
penditures headed?
And here is a story about one
teeny, weeny item of government
expenditures. It is
mere q a story that seems
Story to belle the discus
sion above about
waste by the government agencies.
The fact is that the story shows
how niggardly the government is in
some instances when we all know
how wanton waste and recklessness
characterize larger spending.
Brig. Gen. Harold c. Reisinger,
of the marine corps, is being court
martialed on charge that he pad
ded" his personal expense account
by $77.S5. That is to say the gen.
eral may be dishonorably dis
charged after a useful life and per-
haps even jailed because the claim
is made that he did not spend as
much money as his voucher showed.
The point of this story, however,
does not involve General Reisinger
at all. 1t was by mere coincidence
that hiS trial started aS Ii did dur.