The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-07-18
DRIVE TO SEEK U. 8. ECONOMY

Baltimore, Md, July 14--Forma-
ton OF a nationwide citizens COM
mittee to work for a reduction in
non-essential and non-defense ex-
penditures of the Federal govern
ment was announced to-day by DR..
Henry M. Wriston, President of
Brown University. Immediately fol-
lowing this announcement Harry S.
Middendorf, President of the Mary
land Public Expenditure Council,
pledged the fullest cooperation of
that association to DR.. Wriston and
his committee.
This national group which will be
known as the Citizens Emergency
Committee on Non-Defense Expendi-
lures will soon open headquarters
in Washington and will eventually
include in its membership outstand-
ing citizens from the 48 states. The
Committee will be representative of
all elements in American life; the
consumer, business, agriculture,
labor, women's groups and church
organizations.
Leading citizens, economists, tax
authorities and college presidents
from 32 states have already Joined
the Committee.
In outlining the detectives of the
Citizens Emergency Committee, DR..
Wriston pointed to the record APP
preparations of $33 billion just APP
proved by this session of Congress, a
figure equal to $1,10O for every
family in the country and which is
$14 billion more than the previous
record of appropriations for any sim
gle session of the Congress.
In announcing the cooperation of
the Maryland Public Expenditures
Council which has been organizing
taxpayers for local economy action
in Maryland since last October, it's
President, Harry S. Middendorf,
said, ''The American people without
complaint and in a spirit of sacrifice
are assuming tremendous new taxes
for defense that will undoubtedly
entail a reduction in their savings,
their comforts and their standard of
living. 1t is also necessary that theiri
Government sacrifice some of it's
costly non-defense schemes which
are of questionable value even in
normal times and which in these
critical times are little short of
sabotage of our most vital national
resources--our ability to pay the
cost of defending the nation.
20 Tow.
genthau has said at least $1,000
100000 of non-defense expenditures
should be saved--Congressman Dis
ney of the Appropriations Commit
tee put the figure of possible saw
ings at $1,000, 600, OOO--other ex-
perts enumerate possible savings up
to $2,OOO,OO0,000.
"Yet Notwithstanding our dire
emergency; our defense needs; the
sacrifices which citizens must make;
non-defense appropriations of the
Federal government were increased
almost $90,O0O,0O0 over last year.
''It is amazing but evident that
we cannot depend on official Wash
ington to voluntarily economize;
therefore, it is up to the citizens of
| the nation to see to it that the costs
of democracy are not made so bur-
densome that they rob us of the
blessings of liberty.
Il heartily approve the announced
purposes of the Citizens Emergency
Committee on Non-Defense Expendi-
lures which DR.. Wriston outlines as
follows: The purpose of the Citi-
zens' Emergency Committee is to ex-
plore the possibilities of and make
recommendations concerning vital
ly needed reductions in non-defense
spending as partial offset to huge
defense requirements; to assist the
Congress and other public officials in
effecting these reductions and to in
form the citizens of the United Stat
es on the need for strictest economy
in non-essential public spending if
the nation is to survive this emer-
gency and at the same time retain
it's democratic form of government.