Evening journal., 1922-02-28
roRMIUNTERs NOT ALL DEAD.

M view OF the fact that The whole country pleading
relief from taxation it is surprising TO learn that
from an the country there comes nsstent de-
mand for large appropriations from the Federal Treasury
When Congressman was recently asked, what the
people back home writing you about9" he replied,
Chiefly about getting larger appropriations from
.he government"
There seems TO be sort OF assumption that money
secured from The Federal Treasury net gain costing the
people Of the community nothing or course, any tax
payer when asked directly whether this Federal money
would ultimately out OF the pockets OF the people
would admit that II does. but when he writes to his
Congressman asking that larger appropriation
h he oyerlooks the fact that he himself must
yay his share all other taxpayers must do
presented before Congress and before It's
commtees asking for appropriations FOR and harbor
improvements; for good roads; for new Federal build
ngs for larger public health service for an extension
OF the work OF the Department OF Agriculture; for
more worldwide consular service for ship subsides
better immigration spection for rigid enforcement
Of the prohibition laws; for better postal service for
child welfare work; for Department Of Education; for
more extensive reclamation OF arid lands for the drain
ing Of swamp ands for and better national parks
hundred and other purposes OF which are
entirely as functions OF the Federal government and
an OF which have les smerit
many sections OF the United STATES perhaps In all
Congressnans efficiency Is measured very largely by
his success appropriations to be expended
his district Aside from these local expenditures Con-
grssmans often measured very largely by his
support or nonsupport OF reformatoy schemes osered
by propaganda organizations which build up public
opinion that the public welfare be safegusrded only
Dy government taking task and appro-
rriaing money FOR its support
apparently a great many citizens are pursuing the
policy OF not letting their left hands know what their
right hands doing They petition their Congressman
FOR larger appropriations with one hand while they write
him protests against taxation with the other They con
denim him II he does vote for the appropriation: the,
condemn him II he does not help reduce taxes
When Congressman thus nnds himself confronted b,
perpexing dlenma he very naturally recognizes IN,
'act that failure 10 appropriation is made an in
diydual matter while failure reduce taxation is mad
party matter The Republicans being in power II al
individual Republican fails to bring 10 his district the he
sired amount OF Federal appropriations he ndivdualr
condemned and VIII and himself opposed not only in tn
primaries but in The general election H. on the oihe
hand he votes for the appropriations and the result
his thus yielding is failure 20 reduce taxation the crit
csm Is heaped not upon his individual head but upon N
party having majority in Congress In that sltuaio
quite naturally The temptation OF the Congressman is
yield 70 The plea for larger appropriations and iak
chances with suffering defeat through criticism OF part
action a whole.