Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-23
The People's Responsibility.

Now that the Senate has approved
one $25, 900 900 food dole and lowered
the bars, the Senate Agriculture Com
mittee has Immediately responded with
a favorable report on another. This
second measure authorizes the Farm
Board to give away 100000 bushels
Of wheat to some agency authorized
by the President to receive and dis
tribute it as bread or -four. The bill
Is not clear as to who will bear the
expense of converting the wheat into
-four or bread. But presumably, and
very naturally, 1t would be the Farm
Board.
The Farm Board is probably ready
and willing to give, sell or sink in
the sea, millions of bushels of wheat
bought by its subsidiaries in their at
tempt to stop the plunge of wheat
prices last Summer and Fall But as
this measure is billed as relief for the
hungry, and not as relief for the Farm
Board, it can only be construed as the
obvious next step for a Government
that is entering the field of private
charity. AS the Farm Boards CO.
operatives also bought large quantities
Of cotton, to be held for better prices,
It is altogether possible that later pro-
posals will suggest that the Farm Board
donate the cotton in the form Of free
clothing for those who need it.
As to the need for food, for clothing,
for medicine, for other necessities OF
life by thousands of our stricken popu-
lation. there is no question. Conditions
exist in many communities that are
frightful and tragic And there is Bit
ter irony in the fact that surplus pro-
duction and the Nations overlooking
food basket have contributed to the
creation of some of the very conditions
that now would be relieved-that ade-
quate food is lacking while surplus
wheat is a drug on the market.
But is the Senate following the right
course? In 1886 prolonged drought
brought bitter suffering to farmers in
Texas, and Congress proceeded to rem
edy it by q relatively small appropria-
ton for the distribution of free seed
over and above the amount then an
nually authorized. President Cleve-
lands veto message of that proposal
could as well apply now as then. The
sound principles on which his message
was based are unchanged. Part of it
bears repetition here:
Though there has been some differ
ence in statements concerning the ex-
tent Of the peoples needs in the local
ities thus affected, there seems to be no
doubt that there has existed a condi-
ton calling for relief, and I am willing
to believe that Notwithstanding the aid
already furnished a donation of seed
grain to the farmers located in this
region to enable them to put in new
crops would serve to avert a contin-
uance or return Of an unfortunate
plight.
And yet I feel obliged to withhold my
approval of the plans as proposed by
this bill TO indulge q benevolent and
charitable sentiment through the ap-
preparation OF public funds for that
purpose.
I can find no warrant for such an
appropriation In the Constitution, and
I do not believe that the power and
duty OF the General Government ought
to be extended to the relief of individual
suffering which Is in no manner properly
related 10 the public service or benefit.
A prevalent tendency to disregard the
limited mission Of this power and duty
should, think, be steadfastly resisted
TO the end that the lesson should be
constantly enforced that though the
people support the Government. the
Government should not support the
people.
The friendliness and charity of cur
countrymen can always be relied upon
TO relieve their fellow citizens in mis-
fortune. This has been repeatedly and
quite lately demonstrated. Federal aid
IN such cases encourages the expecta-
tion OF paternal care on the part of the
Government and weakens the sturdi-
ness OF our national character while it
prevents the indulgence among our
people OF that kindly sentiment and
conduct which strengthens the bonds of
common brotherhood
The failure OF the proposed an
preparation to meet their remain
ING wants will not necessarily result in
continued distress If the emergency is
funy made known to the people of the
country. VIC