The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-01-29
Peoples Forum
TOO MUCH CENTRALIZING
Editor Bismarck Tribune:


The Capitalization of power is be-
ing very much overdone, and the
great value history affords us; is, in
judging the future from past events;
and this CENTRALIZED POWER is
what brought Germany to her knees;
And it might be said that we are
aping her in many respects, for in
stance our public school system was
taken from none other than Ger
many's plan of education only modi-
fled: We don't want to forget, that
our school system is very recent
institution, in fact only since 1889
so we better go slow. The falacy
of federal and state aid and the con-
stantly mounting tax bills of
every community as proof of its be-
ing wrong in principle and that the
sooner we get back to local govern
ment the better we will all become.
Every taxpayer in the state ought
to give thought to these matters,
Our mounting tax problems are fast
climbing to those of some communi-
ties, as for instance Iowa, where all
but two counties are now reported
bonded to the limit. Such conditions
become unbearable and the people
must revolt or move out. Let US not
get into such condition here.
The gravest danger Is in centrali-
ling power, that is in giving to the
federal and state government, powers
that should be lodged solely in the
county. In 1900 there were 3 bur
eaus" with an annual cost of $780,
100000. In 1928 this had increased to
80 bureaus at a cost of $3.50, 0OO,0 0O.-
90. The creation of this centralized
power has hurt every community and
is gradual passing of communism.
Every amendment to the constitution
has been a means of increasing bur-
eaus. and countless jobs and if the
ratio of increase the next % years
is the same as the last %, there will
be but few who do not work for the
government; and the taxpayers will
have burden which they will re-
fuse to bear. Just now another
amendment is being proposed to the
constitution; the child labor amend
ment, which will require as many
bureaus as the prohibition amend
ment which costs Us $8,000,0O0 per
year and consequent increase in
the cost of living.
Right now is a good time to take
stock of the trend of the country and
commence concerted, action to check
the further increase of centralized
power. Just as an example, this
county in connection with the state
and fe/eral COVERT ment has a conn
ty agent, but the county has but
little to say about the appointing OF
the agent, or what he shall do. In
fact the county has nothing to say
but pay the money required. We
have a highway system under the
control of state and federal govern
ment and the same conditions ex-
list. The overhead expense is out of
all proportion to county or locally
managed business. We have a fed
eral reserve system in charge of ma
tional banks. I know of a bank that
failed with some sixty thousand dol
lars in cash on hand. This money
does not remain in the community
but is Immediately transferred to a
federal reserve bank hundreds of
miles away; taking our depositors
money out of the country probably
for years. We have a federal post
office handling postal savings and
our people flock to buy them but the
money is all sent out of the country
to the large CENTRALIZED banks.
Such instances could be mentioned
without limit which goes to show
how centralized power hurts the
smaller communities.
It is due time for us to think about
these matters and take some action !;
and make it snappy; before we go
headlong into the Sea of CENTRAL
lied dependency.
Signed,
John E. Sullivan,
Garrison, N. D.