The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-01-17

Basson Park. Fla. Jan. 1.-THE
recent report of the Committee on
Non-essential Expenditures headed
by Senator Byrd is step in the
right direction. This committee
has recommended slashes IN non
defense governmental expenditures
which could result in cayings total
ing Sl,7l6,965,061 during the COM
ing fiscal year beginning July !.
1912. In all probability the com.
mittee's suggestions will not be
adopted In toto. There is, however,
considerable sympathy in official
Washington toward many Of the
suggestions. Unique stionably, sub
stantial savings will be made IN
Farm Aid, Public Works, WPA.
CCC, and NYA expenditures as was
indicated in the Presidents budget
message.
The Federal Debt
Even If great part of the above.
mentioned sum is withdrawn from
non-defense measures 1t will not
have much effect upon the ma
tional debt. Savings will undoubt-
eddy be transferred to the arma-
ment program. Here at least con-
tinued expenditures are absolutely
necessary and will be of mere i'm
mediate practical value. In a fight
ing war i IS essential that national
expenditures be kept to a mini.
mum.
Those who have reduced their
personal debt need not now be con-
cerned over the national debt
though | expect IL to be over SIS
billion by the end Of the year. Elk
penditures for direct and indirect
individual federal aid for the past
six months of the current fiscal
year alone have reached a total OF
Sl,OSO,O00,000 compared with ST..
560,O00,000 for the six months Of
the previous year. While there
have been a great many complaints
yet, in time of dire national
stress, this money served a most
useful purpose. 1t took men off the
streets who might have become
great social menace and helped
many needy farmers.
Expenditures Justified
do not regret the increase in
taxes that my share of our social
program has cost. Many persons
are too quick to forget the angry
cry against unemployment, poor
housing. low standards of living.
and other defects in our social
structure. Mr.. Roosevelt did not
make these bad conditions, nj
though they were the rising tide
which lifted him to the presidency.
Unfortunately, in spite of his mag.
nilicent handling of our foreign
policy his very success with our
domestic economy may in the
end react to his disadvantage ana
wash him out of office.
also do not regret the national
cost Of agricultural aid, of Ma.
tional Youth Administrations or of
the building of public works and
federal highways. Certainly, how
ever, the condition of the farmer
is now temporarily improved. We
can well do without public works
although favor highways. Furth-
ermore, the majority of the young
men now in &C. Camps and helped
by the NYA as well as the older
group working for the WPA will. in
the next draft call be allocated 10
some form OF active Army service
or to armament production.
Private Debt
have said before in this col
umn that white national debt has
risen, yet the private and public
debt OF many individuals, corpora.
lions, municipalities. and states
has declined. This is another rea-
son why | have not become great.
ly concerned by the increase In
the national debt especially in the
case of those who have reduced
their corporate or personal debt
proportionally. Profits have helped
many companies to cut their loans.
The rise in engineering construc-
ton and residential building has
increased local tax receipts. NUM-.
cipalities, as whole, are in