To curb inflation, obviously. That's why the dollar is worth just as much today as it was in 1913.

I also think the US army pre WWI only had around 100,000 troops and no offshore bases. Unlike the UK and Germany, the Navy didn't get caught up in the Dreadnought building craze either. There was little to no welfare, roading network Gvt pensions, public healthcare or education system either. All the Government really had to pay for was the post office (and that pretty much paid for itself anyway) . Bring back the good old days I say!