The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1938-01-20

1t is made to appear that we can.
not avoid such expenditures as
those for national defense, those
for veterans who have served their
country well, those in payment Of
interest on debt that ought not to
be so great. There is not much
chance, therefore. to effect econ
omy in that direction. Thus, it seems
that II the President is sincere about
reducing government expenditures
and If the politicians in congress
have any courage, they had better
start looking at the children that are
growing up. I mean the children
OF older government agencies as
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. ITO. 900.
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 its citizens must meet
new conditions. But the point I 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 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,
I have authority, too, for terming
many Of these expenditures waste.
-. The authority is
Wonfon the 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, ito 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
Of Justice. the War
and Navy departments and q whole
flock Of the independent children as i
that are getting out of line
in keeping track Of what they do
with their appropriations.
From these facts. 1t may be ap-
parent to every one that a real need
exists for tight grip by congress |,
on appropriations and an absolute
cessation Of the great game of start. Il
ing new agencies.
And here is story about one
teeny. weeny item Of government
expenditures. It is
7e5eS q 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