Weekly journal-miner., 1922-09-27
FEDERAL FUNDS

FEDERAL FUNDS
 TT is undoubtedly true as remarked by well 1known senator that almost every important measure before congress calls for the appropria- ton of large sums of money from the United States treasury But it would be wrong to saddle upon congress alone responsibility for large appropriations. Although congress is vested with the power to make appropriations, no con gressman has a personal desire to make the total appropriations large In practically every in stance, the demand for an appropriation originates not with members of congress but with the peo- pie out in the several states.
 The desire to shift the burden of taxation, the desire seemingly to get something for noth- ing, causes individuals, organizations communi- ties and states to appeal to their federal repre- sentatives for national appropriations for under takings of a more or less local interest. The same sort of appeal that originates in locality originates in a hundred or a thousand others, and the communications from constituents which pour in upon members of congress induce them to support the appropriations which make up the burden of which taxpayers complain.
 It is needless to recount the various purposes for which these appropriations are asked, There is the demand for federal funds to control almost every pest to which agricultural crops of every kind are subject There is the ever-growing demand that the United States government shall supply not only supervision but direct assistance in controlling almost every form of human disease. The United States government now controls the enforcement of the liquor laws which was former ly left to the states and municipalities Through the federal trade commission the government is attempting to diminish fraud. The government has joined with the states in a cooperative sys- tenn of highway improvement It has also joined with the states i'll cooperative plan for proper medical attention in maternity cases. It is pro posed that the government shall erect a public building in every city and town having first, second or third class postoffice. It is proposed that the government shall extend its work in the construction of internal canals that the govern ment shall undertake the protection of the banks of the Mississippi; that the government shall expend more millions on Muscle Shoals.
 These are only few of the projects which call for new or larger sums from the federal treasury, and many of them have merit. But they indicate the reason why government eX- penditures continue to grow.
 In the ultimate analysis, responsibility for large appropriations rests not with congress but with the citizenship of the country. It IS useless to write to members of congress in opposition to large appropriations in general but at the same time write to them in favor of particular appro- priations. The two positions inconsistent and irreconciliable Federal appropriations will become materially less or the increase will be checked only when individual citizens in large numbers write to their senators and congressman protesting against instead of favoring the speci-
 c schemes advanced upon the mistaken theory that the public can get something from the United States government without paying for it. Payment must be made ill form other and federal taxation is often the most expensive means of paying