Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-05
FEDERAL AID AND BUREAUCRATIC !.
EXTENSION ARE ON THE INCREASE
GARDINER Tells ST. Marks CLUB

fifty basis. But before we theorize
let us see exactly what cooperation
or direction and what financial aid
the State of Maine receives from
Washington.
THE appropriation act Of the
Marie Legislature totals about nine
million dollars annually: the peo-
pie of the State spend 1t, through
their representatives, as they please.
In addition there is spent annually
through our various departments.
under cooperation or direction from
Washington, over a million and a
quarter of Federal money. Most of
this amount we must match dollar
for dollar, and to that extent the
expenditure of our own money Is
determined for US. The United
States collector of internal revenue
at Augusta RENTS around nine mil
lion dollars from Maine to Wash
tngton every year.
THE largest amount Of Federal
Aid goes to our highways, 1886, 900.
This is matched money the Fed
eral government paying out one-half
the cost of road construction UP to
the extent of $4,000 a mile, under
the provisions of the Federal High
way Act"
Here Mr.. Gardiner reviewed the
history Of Federal road appropria-
tions up to the passage of the Fed
eral Highway Act in 1921. He out
lined the provisions of the Act, de-
scrlbed the apportionment of seven
ty-five million dollars among the
states and operation Of the system
in Maine.
There is no denying that this
Federal money is of great advantage
to us in our important road pro-
gram. 1t may we'll be urged that
the encouragement of a national
system of good roads is a proper
function Of our central governmen
Since we seem to be becoming q
nomadic people the argument is the
stronger.
1.-THE next largest Federal fund
comes through the Adjutant Gen.
erals department.. about $256,0OO In
cash, the providing of a dozen mill
tafy instructors, and the loan of a
million and three-quarters worth of
property. This cannot strictly be
classed as state aid. Our patriotic
citizens are furnishing forces that
enable the reduction Of a standing
army. Under the National Defense
Act at the call of the President our
troops may be federalized at once
and become part of our national
forces. Training PLAYS may be INF
tiated by our adjutant general or
received from Washington. The ae-
tivittes are supervised by Washing
ton through the LIST Corps Area.
Names money contribution to the
. National Defense and the mainte-
nance of a force for state duty is
about $4,000 a year. In the alio-
cation of national guard troops
Names quota is $500 men, but we
are at present close to the limit of
slightly over 1000 men permissible
under. current appropriations.
Educational Funds
The speaker described the Federal
money granted the University of
Maine and Extension Services as we'll
as the Agricultural Experiment sta
ton. totaling sl65,00O. The amount
of 100000 coming to the Department
of Education for courses in Home
Economics. Teacher Training. Agri-
cultural Training and Vocational
Rehabilitation was touched on, and
mention made of evening schools. The
assistance to the Forestry Depart
ment was reviewed and the excel
lence Of our fire prevention system
commented on. lit Was pointed out
that under the various activities of
the Agricultural Department more
cooperative work Is contributed than
actual cash. Federal relations of the
Public Utilities Commission. the Pub
lie Health Department and Inland
Fisheries and Game were commented
on
I'VE have reviewed In some detail
the expenditure of sums of money
that do not seem of great moment,
and Yet the total is equivalent to
fifteen per cent OF what the State of
Maine chooses to appropriate by It's
own legislative act. 1t is stated that
we profit by the scheme of federal
aid that every dollar which we draw
costs Maine but thirty-seven cents.
It Is not always good business to buy
what you do not need, even at thirty