The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-08-26

canopied sidewalks. 1t is a city of
trees, all shade, all quiet, all comfort.
The sycamore and the oak and all en-
blematic trees of a country of varied
climate prosper in Washington.
Who is not proud of their Washing
ton? Imagine it's grandeur as seen by
the new representative or senator,
when he first arrives with his family,
buoyed up with hope and expectation
that he is TO be a part of thte physical
and mental action OF the nation of
which Washington is merely the power
house.
The duties of this class of men per.
tain particularly to the legislative
can people find plenty of accomplish
ments credited to their statesmen and
their government to arouse their
pride and satisfy their patriotism.
In the analysis Of government the
fact should be kept in mind that the
Federal Constitution nowhere contem-
plates that the United States shall be-
come a merchant, manufactures or
tradesman. 1t does provide, however,
the distinct relations of the different
branches of government to one an
other, and defines the rights of the ex-
e%cutiye, legislative and judiciary. Gov
eminent should keep hand in hand
with the progress of its people, and a
sensible control of public affairs will
go a long way toward forwarding pro-
gress.
1t is with great pride that citizens of
this country point to the achievements
at Panama, but it should be kept in
mind that had President Roosevelt
been lacking in determination and the
ability to forge ahead, the results
would never have been attained. In a
matter of far greater Importance we
should not forget that Franklin flew
his kite and took lightning from the
skies, but it was a long time before he
convinced the skeptical government
that there was any value to the dis
coyery.
To the credit Of the government it
may be said that it actually offered a
prize to the man who would complete
the first flying machine; but ever in
this instance the Wright brothers
could not have succeeded had they not
first received private aid, In earlier
days there were no prizes and no
friendly aid offered Robert Fulton,
who conceived the idea of a steam
boat; and the story of the monograph
is one of the bluffs to American inven-
tive genius. The United States govern
ment has shown commendable zeal for
the affairs of agriculture. The depart
ment of agriculture is spending ap.
proximately thirty million dollars a
year, but it is no disparagement to
say that Burbank and other orchard
lists and horticulturalists are accom-
plishing as much in private enterprise
as the government does with this great
outlay.
The private ownership of railroads
has worked out scientific and econ
omical means of transportation, and
established the basis whereby rates
may be as accurately and definitely
gagged as the prices of sugar, coffee
-four, etc. Notwithstanding that this
is true, the government in it's recently
established parcel post system has
largely disregarded economic princi
Piles of cost, and value of service, ant
the rates are too cheap in many places
and exorbitant in other instances. The
same thing may be said regarding the
rates in other classiications of mai
matter.
While transportation under private
control seeks an intelligent basis fol
rate-making, the government itself
which has done much good in regulat
ing these rates through the Inter
state Commerce Commission, appear!
unable to arrange any systematic ant
equitable rates for its great transporta
ton plans. One reason for this Is tina
men spend their lives working up t.
positions as heads of great transporta
ton companies, while the manager o.
the Post Office Department has beer
chosen in the majority of instances
during recent years, berause he was
formerly chairman Of the republican
national committee. AS new presi
dents come and 60, and as whimsical.
changes occur in the cabinet places
the politicians are shifted in and out
as postmaster-general.