The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1917-12-06

brought the bacon" in the way of gov
eminent largess got the support of
the thoughtless element which was
able to swing elections. where the
more cOnsiderate were anything like
equally divided on more fundamental
issues. Hence, almost all statesmen
yielded to this seemingly lesser evil
in order to hold their places and car
~ out their larger plans.
To a very great extent this was due
to the division of authority and re-
sponsibility amorg several commit
tees. 1t meant overlapping. trading
and Jealousy between rival commit
tees, an trades within trades, and
the th'ng worked in such way that
nobody could put a finger on the or
igin OF the trouble For years there
has been a protest going up from ev-
erywhere and nowhere against a gil
gantic and growing evil. The Demo-
Gratis roasted Tom Reed and his
Billion Dollar Congress" and in
many instances did so in good faith
and prompted by a sincere general
desire and in many cases determine
ton to cut down the sum. But when
they got in, and in spite of sporadic
protests from within, and whitening
sarcasm from without, they spent
much larger sum. The Republicans
got back in four years, but the ap-
grew and have been
growing ever since.
The lesson that if appropriations
are to be cut down, some definite
body of men must be held responsible
for their recommendation is plain |
enough. The extravaganza of cities
has led to the adoption of commits
sion government and as a still fur
Their Capitalization of responsibility.
to the city manager plan. It is a
singular fact that with all the per
INDUCED in on both sides
Turing the most heated period of the
local canal fight, all parties were
agreed on the adoption of a similar
system for the Twin Falls Canal com
pany The fixing of responsibility is I
he only way to accomplish the great
EST good at the least expense. This
ioes not imply that anyone is on has
leen dishonest either in the canal I
company or in congress. Unless a
nan or a committee definitely can
Know the extent of authority and re-
possibility, it is impossible to work
o the best advantage. The divided
responsibility idea prevents the ex-
'rcise of the greatest efficiency.
1t will be noted that congression-
Il critics of the presidents sugges-
ion do not deny that it will work for
economy or efficiency. Some say that
will give an undue preponderance
u influence to single committee
This is the obvious outcropping of
natural characteristic, personal zeal
'usy. 1t is said that the president is
with a coordinate branch
I government The objection is alb
urd. The constitution itself pro-
ides for presidential reports and rec
Nobdy objects on this
round to President Wilson recon-
lending that the United States de-
lare war. Yet the declaring of war
a function left solely to congress.
he president did not tell congress
lat it would have to return to the
Id and simple system. He simply +
aid Il beg that the members of the
ouse will permit me to express the
pinion, etc" Surely, the suggestion &
the president thus modestly voiced
body which has long insisted on
lie right of petition, can hardly be
allied usurpation
Congress has the constitutional
over to refuse to amend its meth K
Is but unless natural laws operate 8
fferently there from elsewhere. mod 5
n research and experience would
dictate that it would err in standing 4
"The right to go wrong"
- - b