Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1909 — $400,000,000 FOR WAR. [ARTICLE]

$400,000,000 FOR WAR.

The three great appropriation bills for army, navy and war pensions are so far advanced in Congress that their combined sum is easily estimated. The ■navy* bill, as it passed the senate, carried nearly $137,000,000; the army bill, which has been reported in the Senate, carries for the military establishment alone about $103,000,000; the pension bill, carrying $160,000,000, was passed by the Senate yesterday after having been previously passed by the House. The three bills are likely to become laws carrying substantially the appropriations mentioned, and the total sum thus provided on account of prjeparation for war and on account of past wars reaches $400,000,000. Only for one year, however. The $400,000,000 will be wholly spent in the fiscal year beginning July next. • This $400,000,000, in a single year of peace, for past wars and military preparations, can not be paralled by any other nation on earth. This vast sum according to the official estimates, would pay for the Panama canal.—Springfield Republican.