Detroit evening times., 1945-03-28
POLITICAL
PARADE
By George
RothweII Browh

w So critical are many mem.
bers of the House of Repre-
sentatives com ing of its
appropriations committee, that
the suggestion has even been
made from the floor that II
might be better to repeal the
reforms of 1922, and restore 10
the purely legislative commit
tees the power TO bring in APP
preparation bills.
In 1922 the budget was estab-
lished. The legislative commit-
tees, such as naval affairs,
military affairs. post office. etc,
were stripped of their appropri-
ating functions, and the entire
appropriating power was lodged
in an enlarged appropriations
committee VIII ich has now
reached the unwieldy size of 43
members.
The budget at the present
time is a farce so far as Con-
gress is concerned. II is merely
the voice OF the President.
DUDGET estimates often have
- no relation TO reality, and
the fact that the appropriations
committee reduces the budget
estimates is no reflection OF q
real economy in expenditures.
II cannot be argued that the
institution of a single huge ap-
propriating committee has re-
suited in economy. When the
budget was first established
under President Harding, he re-
garded the budget as an execu-
tive institution.
When Harding submitted the
first budget, he caused II 10 be
known that he expected Con-
gress 10 accept IL precisely as 1t
was sent TO the capitol. 4
A Republican Congress iQ
nored this recommendation, and>
reduced Harding's estimates OF
expenditures by more than S3l2,-
000.0 considerable sum in
those days, but chicken feed
now.
Under Franklin -. Roosevelt
we have had a succession OF the
most eXtravagant congresses in
history. The appropriations
committee Shamefully surren-
dered the appropriating power
into the hands of the President
by means of the lump sum- de-
vice, and authorizations permit
ting the transfer of money from
the purpose to which appropri-
ated 10 some other purpose,
WHETHER the present appro-
w priating authority Of the
House can ever. IN its existing
form, bring this country back TO
a basis of sanity and economy
IN government spending is prob
lematical
This much may be SAID that
on the whole the members OF
the appropriations committee
are trying 10 do a good. con-
scientious job in the direction OF
retrenchment.
The committee does not al
ways succeed. The device OF
writing legislation into appro-
priation bills. and then obtain
ing a special rule to prevent It
from being stricken out on a
point Of order. does not always
work 20 the d tage OF
economy
In some cases no doubt the
device has the effect of con-
tinuing the executive pow
over the public money, enabling
il to perpetuate the lump-sum
principle.
Whether the restoration oI
the appropriatng power TO th<
several legislative committees
formerly exercising that power,
would result in greater economy
is debatable.
But some sort of liaiSon be-
tween these committees and the
appropriations committee might
be most helpful. There is none
whatever now
THE present hlt-or-misS SyS-
L TEN IS obviously unsuited 10
the tremendous job OF getting
this country back on an econ
omy-mlnded basis.
For years vast sums have been
appropriated in loose and care
less manner.
For instance, huge amounts
have been appropriated for the
farm security administration.
But TO this day there Is no icgis-
lative authority in any statute
for these appropriations.
Another vast and growing
agency. the emergency maternal
and infant care program, is an
other setup which has no legis-
latiVp authorization anywhere