Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-04-13
PROPER GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS

PROPER GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS
America has advanced long way since those pioneer
days in it's history when the paramount functions of
Federal government conceived being the main
tenance of law and order and the protection Of the
try against invasion thereinto by foreign power
Today there appears to be limit to the demands
made upon Washington and, regrettab, clearly defined
opinion among national legislators which admins
atve functions should be relegaed to the states and
which assumed by Congress and the executive branch of
national government.
Speaking in general terms, the Democratic party has
always been the champion of rights fostered
tenacousy the political tenet that only activities strictly
interstate in character should be undertaken by Federal
officials such for example, matters pertaining to inter-
state commerce and foreign affairs Albert C. Richie
staunch proaganst of the doctrine state rights and
President Roosevelt generally recognized up until the
last few weeks being ardent defender of this basic
principle in political philosophy.
But, consistency is jewel; and never more rarely
found than in the field of practical politics; hence the
shrewd observer of trends in public events is
not surprised to find that certain of the pans prominently
placed in the Presidents rehabilitation platform are de-
cdedy out OF place when evauated by the gauge this
sacred Democratic doctrine-state rights We refer of
course to the conservation bill which signed by Mr.
Roosevelt last week and which, at estimate expense of
$l48OOOOOO, will place 100000 to work on forest
and reclamation projects also to the bill designed
nate to the various commonwealth approximately $780,
100000 for direct relief of distress caused by unempoy
ment
Actually these substantial appropriations will largely
offset the aprecabe savings which Congress and the Pres
ldent will achieve through reduction made in Federal en-
poyees salaries through examinations aid Consultations
iue ~ soyernmela. boards and bureaus, and through
drastic cuts in veteran compensaons and Allowances
hence, will perpeuae the evils of unbalanced budget
Technically Mr.. Roosevelt claims such not to be the
in that these appropriations for special
of
head therefore not to be entered the bookkeeping sys-
tem as debit or liability against the current fiscal year.
Such claim valid enough, but it does alter the
financial situation Whether general special they repre-
sent obligations which must be met from taxation and the
classification of bookeepers does not lessen the total amount
Furthermore appropriations of this nature are in
consistent with the doctrine of state rghsthey repre-
sent the entry of the Federal government into functions
foreign to its purpose guardian of law and order
defender of the Union and regulator of interstate affairs
To that such departure from the orthodox func
tions of the Federal is justified the basis
of the existing crisis is make bold assump-
tion-namely that the prevailing depression only tenn
porary disturbance that will pass away Maybe it will;
maybe not There economists who skeptcal about
economic cycles and who would not be surprised it, due to
changing social forces America did not for many years to
register any marked improvement in business
ditions
If such proves to be true, then what? Are to
make permanent this established precedent of an annual
Federal dole to the unemployed, and, if how the
budget to be balanced industry and agriculture
already bed white by over-taxation going gain
productivity?
One truth is self evident. No nation can artfcialv
manufacture purchasing by taxing production in
order TO distribute does and gratues to woudbe pur-
chasers Perhaps after few years experimentation
we will in the end discover that the best aid that our
Federal government give toward of economic
prosperity to restrict and limit its activities to the proper
function of central power.
THE FARMER FARMS
Faithful the robin that wakes the spring morning
hopeful as its mate which about building the family