Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-03-04
What Is Bureaucracy?

Bureaucracy is Government by bu-
reaus; specifically excessive multiplied
tion of, and concentration of power in,
administrative bureaus. The principle of
bureaucracy tends to official Interference
in many Of-the properly private affairs
Of life, and to the inefficient and OBJ
structive performance of duty through
minute subdivision of functions, inhex-
ible formality and pride of place. Cen
fury Dictionary.
1t is, "a system of carrying on the
business of government by means of de-
partments or bureaus each under the
control Of a chief, IN contradistinction
10 a system In which the officers of gov
eminent have an associated authority
and responsibility; hence, loosely, offi-
cialism; also, government conducted on
this system. "-Websters New Interna-
tional Dictionary.
Shall Republicanism or Bureaucracy
Prevail?
W. R. Grey, in his Miscellaneous Els
says" says: "Republicanism and bu-
reaucracy are incompatible existence
We are, right now, confronted with the
question as to which of these two sys-
tens shall prevail in the United states.
There is no theory about 1t; ii Is fact.
The reckless defiance OF constitutional
law. under the leadership OF ambitious
bureaucrats. and the encroachment upon
the individuals constitutional heritage
OF personal rights must cease. Honor,
Justice and humanity call upon us TO
hold and to transmit to our posterity
that liberty which we received from our
ancestors It is not our duty to leave
wealth TO our children, but II Is oul
duty TO leave liberty TO them John
Dickerson expressed these sentiments
about the time the Constitution was
written. They are Just as true now as
they were then. Shall we fail in our
duty TO our children and deny them the
birthright established by our ancestors
World Wide Influence of the Constitution.
The greatest era of world progress In
Government followed the adoption or the
Constitution of the United States with
It's clearly defined principles Upon this
was founded the Republic Of the United
States Of America. The nations OF the
world were sstounded at the progress
of the new Republic. They were skep-
teal of the Unprecedented political privi-
leges OF individualism which II granted
10 It's people Convinced by observation
that the theories advanced were practical,
the foreign nations were forced by pub
lie sentiment to emulate the Ideals ana
ideas of our Government. They became
more Jealous Of civil liberty, more lcnient
toward freedom Of speech aud the press,
and above all, more awake TO the inner
ent rights of the individual. BY reason
of this the United States OF America as
gumed a leading place in the councils OF
the world Its influence was not Deepen
dent upon the tonnage of navy, the nu-
merical strength Of the army, nor thL
vastness If its natural resources. 1t ac-
guired and maintained this unique posi-
ton because, under the Constitution, II
proyided me best Government In the
world and developed a resourceful peo-
pie, possessed OF originality and initiative.
1t has maintained this position only be-
cause II upheld the principles or true
individual freedom and political rights
guaranteed By the Constitution. The
United States is in danger OF losing
this prestige II the presen. trend toward
bureaucracy is not checked.
Growing Disregard for the Constitution.
In the eyes of the bureaucratic oppor-
tunists, the Constitution, Instead OF being
held as the guiding influence In our po-
lltcal structure, Is becoming an OBJ
struction, to be amended, disregarded or
disoheyed Under these conditions the
growth of bureaucracy has been as
founding. Here is how 1t operates. In
the hurry OF modern times, some phase
or development in governmental affairs
needs correcting or control. To meet
it, the theorist, the bureaucrat, and the
politician, under the cloak of conven-
fence and efficiency, secure the appoint
ment of a bureau under a legislative
act. with authority delegated to that
bureau to administer that law. Money
is appropriated. and the bureau assumes
unto itself autOcratic powers and be
comes an Independent arm of the National
Government. with power to make rules
and regulations having the force and
effect of law.
Bureaus Not Responsible to Anyone for
Their Actions.
The Constitution provides a system of
checks and balances. The executive de-
partment Is checked and its acts subject
to certain we'll defined supervision of the
legislative department. The Legislative
department Is subject to the veto Of the
executive, Laws enacted by the legis
lative and approved By the executive de-
partments are subject to Constitutional
Interpretation Of tho judicial depart
ments. But the bureaucratic system Is
wholly and absolutely without check
except by special legislative action. BY
the time that Legislative relief is avail
able, the harm Is done; the fad dis
carded. and the opportunist follows some
new within at Government expense. Up