The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-06-20
The Economy Milestone
Washington, June Is

The Economy Milestone
Washington, June Is
The agreement in the Finance Com
mittee upon Senator Byrd's proposal
TO cut ten per cent, or approximately
$500, 100000, from the gross govern
mental appropriations, exclusive of
those for national defense, practically
insures its adoption. This is a mile
stone. 1t is the first real step toward
economy since the summer OF 1888,
when Mr.. Roosevelt, suddenly aban-
doning the Democratic platform,
launched his first spending program,
thereby multiplying the reductions
which he had so magnifcently achieved
in the first six months Of his first ad-
ministration.
Since that time he has spent 49,
OO0.OOO00O more than we have taken
in. Deficits have piled on deficits I'M
til the total debt, without the defense
billions. has broken through the $45,-
100000, 900 limit set by Congress and
which no one dreamed we would
reach. When it is considered how little
we have to show for this unprecedent-
ed outpouring of public funds, it is
fantastic and incredible story. What
makes it almost grotesque is that in all
these seven years the President has
made not a single move in the dlrec-
ton of retrenchment.
x#*
The net result is that control over
the Federal finances has been lost; eX-
penses have literally run wild and the
waste has brought the country close
to the brink of bankruptcy. That WITH
the nations finances in so shocking a
condition the President could urge the
appropriation of two billions for de-
Tense without coupling his request
with recommendation for increased
taxes ana IeuuCeu COoGo JuoC uOSo ivy
make sense. Yet, that is exactly what
he did Congress, backed by public sen
timent, has forced him to support the
pending tax bill, but the clear record
proves that he neither recommended,
conceived, nor approved the enact
ment of any tax bill at this session.
His plan was to borrow the money
and put off the question of payment
until after the election. 1t was shock
ing idea and certainly it is not his
fault that the nation has not been
pushed over the brink. Congress has
put on the brakes and forced him to
shift his position. For the past ten
days the Administration support has
been given tax bill, concededly mad
equate, but still tax bill, That's the
Roosevelt record on the taxation phase
of the defense program. He literally
was prodded into acquiescense. But his
record on retrenchment is even more
extraordinary On that he simply had
to be dragged.
Until two weeks ago not so much as
a hint of cutting expenses to help the
nation stand the additional strain
about to be imposed had come from
him. After Senator Byrds announce
ment of his purpose to ask for ten
per cent reduction had been widely
commended in and out of Congress,
Mr.. Roosevelt asserted at press con-
ference that he already had begun a
survey to see if a ten per cent cut
would be feasible. Not even the New
Dealers took that seriously. 1t was
recognized for what it was-a disin-
genuous effort to blanket Senator Byrd
in the same way he tried to blanket
him three years ago on the reorgani-
cation issue.
It's only effect was to stimulate Sen
ator Byrd's efforts and to make it more
clear that the Administration was in
opposition. Public sentiment in favor
of the Byrd proposal manifested itself
in many ways. Circumstances made
opposition to it inexcusable. To enter
upon such program as proposed
without cutting expenditures was too
clearly absurd. Eventually the Admin
istration yielded. When Senator Har-
rison, chairman of the Finance Com
mittee, agreed to the form of the Byrd
amendment, and the Budget Director.
agreed that it was workable" pro-
posal, its passage was assured.
Of course, it is a great victory for
Senator Byrd, who has unsuccessfully
and against great odds fought for
economy since the spending began.
Had Congress blindly followed the
Presidents lead, as acquiesced in his
lack of leadership, there would be
neither taxes or retrenchment-ju
wholesale borrowing and wholesale
spending. Senator Byrd has rescued
the country-temporarily at least
from an extremely perilous position
and he had to do it against the weight
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