A WELTER OF WASTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 214, 8 September 1921, Page 5

A WELTER OF WASTE.

AMERICAN EXTRAVAGANCE. PRESIDENT'S PRUNING KNIFE. WASHINGTON, September 7. The President (.MY. W. G. Harding), replying to a letter from Mr. M. McCormick, Senator for Illinois, congratulating him on the Administration's accomplishment in six months, reviews some of the measures passed by Congress, and stresses the problems with which the Administra-j tion was faced as a result of the Wilson Administration. Mr. Uarding states that the Wilson Administration spent 950,000,000,000d0l on the manufacture of aircraft, artillery, ammunition, and merchant vessels, yet less than 200 Americanmade aeroplanes and 200 cannon ever went into action at the front, while less than 1 per cent of tho ammunition used by American artillery was of American manufacture, and less than 50 soldiers were carried in vessels built by the United States Shipping Board. Mr. Harding adds that his Administration has nvade peace, and he confidently hopes that after the 30-day recess the Congress will adopt the tariff and taxation measures, including permission to : fund the Allied debt and to make arrangements for debtors to begin paying interest. He concludes: "Surveying the national situation as a whole, it is plain that we are working our way out of a welter of waste and prodigal spending at a most impressive rate. I have all assurances that thoughtful men and women appreciate what has been accomplished, nnd sincerely support our efforts to achieve vet more along the same lines."—A. and N.Z. Cable.)