Evening star., 1938-11-14
PRAISES GROWTH OF
TAX CONSCIOUSNESS
FOresees More Effective
Participation in
Civic Affairs

TO the Editor Of The Star:
Now that elections are in the past,
attention may be directed to the possible
consequences beyond mere changes In
personnel. The State or community has
no needs, only the individuals who COM
pose it must have things done for them
by the collective effort, thought and will
expressed in policies supposedly author
lied by the vote. Old ways will not
suflce, because new functions are con-
stantly arising from the pressure and
shifts Of population with resulting social
problems. Relief" was such problem,
and was first called "doles" to discredit
1t. but now the Works Progress Admins
tration is generally accepted as an in
cidence to long-range planning. tech
nology and unemployment. Economy
campaigns have never checked the ex-
panding activities of States and COM
munities. They cannot because the very
attempt to do SO calls for surveys and
Investigations which become new func-
tions. Hence housing. social security and
wage and hour laws have followed eco
nomic depression. Also in reaching for
greater efficiency, the corporate method
has increasingly become the mode of
administration. 1t is yet to be proven,
however, as to its greater benefit COM
pared with costs. It is generally ex-
pected by economists that the conduct
OF public agencies by the corporate
method will react upon statesmen and
ohcials alike, thus placing more and
more emphasis upon business methods
in government. basing benefits upon
cost and analyzing problems by research
rather than debate.
Today, many corporate activities of
government have proven wise, though
thought foolish few years back To-
morrow may see all corporate activities
created by and responsible alone to the
Federal Government. Parks health mu-
seums, libraries, schools, art galleries
and national parks have increasingly
bSSoAAiC PuUAlS Sllol SCS, WIltIcdS edCIl was
bitterly opposed as such at one time
Transportation, light and power tend
the same way. To call it socialism"
may delay, but will not stop the move
ment II democracy Is to survive. There
Is recognized also classification of pub
lie functions replacing the old depart
mental lists with their numerous off
shoots, bureaus, commissions, etc, but
personal interests, vanities and the
groove Of custom offer stubborn opposi-
ton even in schools and other agencies
claiming to be progressive and sacrosanct
The city of Detroit now supplies the
taxpayers annually with diagram of
the daily, weekly and yearly costs of
each municipal function prorated to the
assessed value of the home. Intelligent
citizens demand some such accounting.
Elected officials may thus prove their
efficiency. 1t might interest Washing
tonians to know what electric light costs
them per day and hour in their local
budget. Lump sum statements mean
little to most people. Prejudiced opposi-
ton may be excited by such an express
sion as $50, 900 year for character edu-
cation is foolish" with no account of
the number Of lives affected and the So
cial gains therefrom. It is so with total
municipal costs In terms of millions;
without breakdown into functions per-
formed and general welfare resulting,
the mere aggregate may arouse indig-
nant but uninformed opposition and a
clamor for economy"
Fortunately for Washington an in
creasing number of people are becoming
intelligently tax-conscious. This should
lead to constructive criticism and CO.
operative civic action
CHARLES M. THOMAS,
President, Civic Federation
November 10.