The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-02

/ TYPE across the pages OF the newspapers.
Now we have two billion dollar Con-
I gresses-a billion at each session-which
may be attributed. in part. to what can
( be described as the uplft or the practics
/ OF minding other peoples business. It
+ is not my function, however, TO COM
plain about the work OF Congress-and
/ I have no complaint 20 make-or 20 offer
gratuitous observations about the cost OF
government | am an OfflcehOlder my
self"
What DO you mean by the uplift?" I
inquired.
! 4 decline further 10 elucidate-lt would
not be proper for me to do sO-but as
/ a general proposition It can be stated
! that complex government is more costly
than simple government, as complex liv-
/ ing is more costly than simple living. We
| srunible at the prices we pay for rents,
! food. and clothing. but IL we were TO go
| back TO old conditions we could soon re-
| duce our household and personal ex-
! penses. Every convenience and every
/ luxury must be paid for In money II
| is so. OF course, in the government OF
cities. States. and the nation. All OF our
cities, or practically al! of them, have
! gone into debt up 10 the limit established
! by statute. Taxes are high everywhere,
bat the people want bridges. paved
streets. sewers. fire and police protection.
parks, schools, and all the municipal en-
broidery OF modern civilization.
New offices Created.
Meanwhile. in harmony. there Is a
multiplicity of offices, local and national.
Not many years ago the Agricultural De-
partment in Washington had 800 agents
in the field 1t has ten times as many
now. We demand that our food be In
spected, but the work cannot be done
without cost. We are digging the PAN
ANA canal and conserving our natural
resources. And from every section Of the
country come loud demands for govern
ment buildings Two hundred buildings
are now in course Of construction-near-
| ly 500 more have been authorized by
! Congress. The cost OF the same ranges
from $4,000 to s1.OOO.O0O apiece
mo matter if grass is growing in the
main street, a $4,000 postoffice is none
too good for any sort OF a town, East,
South, North. or West / know of an
obscure county-seat where the rent OF a
room for the post-office was $50 a
month-it was right I'm the thick Of bust
ness. The government generously erect
ed a building in that town at cost OF
$45 600 The interest on $4,000 at - per
cent is $3.50. A janitor was employed
at $50 a month. There We're lights and
heat and other expenses. but in the
rough that particular post-office is now
costing $3.50 a year. as against $3.50 IN
the old era. when outlay was kept down
TO a modest basis. AS a matter OF fact
the people themselves are responsible
After the civil war some of the States
repudiated their debts-they didn't have
the money TO pay them, There will be
no population in the future. l am sure
but debts are piling up in all directions
and heroic action OF some kind seems
altogether probable"
Individuals are also studying out
schemes TO get their hands into the ma
tional treasury l said at a hazard
However that may be. not many sue
coed in originating plans that are work
able. Government money is closely
watched, and the red tape, often the SUBJ
ject Of criticism or POPULARITY. Is one of
the protective measures adopted after
long experience with human nature
Many men look upon the government as
they would upon circus that comes 10
town, but the average business concern
deals with the government as It would
with any other corporation or customer.