The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-01-27

Observation-Disclosures times in
these columns / have written ex-
pressions of fear about the size of
this thing we call the federal gov
eminent. 1t is so huge that few per-
sons grasp the magnitude of the
machinery. And it can not be ex-
planned satisfactorily. Certainly, one
can not say that it is just $50 big"
and measure it by extended arms.
On the other hand, incidents or ac-
tions of unit of the federal govern
ment may furnish an indication of
the size on the basis of compari-
son. Such an incident came in the
news recently and, unfortunately,
very little attention was paid to it in
daily newspapers of the nation.
Here is the basis of comparison,
and it tells its own story as to the
size of our national governmental
machine:
AS of July /, 1888, the director of
the census estimated there were
130,215,OOO persons living within the
continental United States.
During the year 1888, citizens and
corporations within the United
States were compelled by law or
regulation or special orders to file
with federal government agencies
a total of 1875, 100000 reports, infor-
nation forms, questionnaires, sta
tistical facts and other required
statements.
That total is the official calcula-
ton by Chairman Stuart A. Rice, of
the central statistical board, who
had made a survey of all federal
agencies upon orders Of President
Roosevelt. The President wanted to
know whether there was real basis
for the thousands of complaints and
editorial criticisms about the tre-
mendous burden that has been
placed upon every kind of business,
including individuals, by their gov
eminent. The Rice conclusions,
however, have demonstrated in an
understanding way just what an &C.
topus our national government has
become, and it may be-indeed, it
is likely-that Mr.. Rice has per-
formed a chore here which will
mark the beginning of the end of
federal government expansion. His
findings ought to have that effect, in
any event.
Then Began an Expansion
OF the Federal Government
Shortly after the World war ended
and the federal government got
back to normal in the matter of size
and the functions it was perform
ing, there was time when the popu-
lace raised loud shouts because
their government was spending
billion dollars year. There were
some hard times along in 1919 and
1920 and a year or so more, and
there was the call of the suffering
for help from their national govern
ment. There were, too, numerous
ideas being fomented and allowed
to ferment. Each one contemplated
something new in the way of gov
eminent functions. Well, each one
contemplated some additional fed
eral expense.
In this way, there began an ex-
pansion of the federal government
that has carried on with an ever
accelerating pace until the New
Deal took over, six years ago. Then,
we really went to town in expand
ing the number of arms and legs
and eyes and ears of the federal
government. Yes, and with that ex-
pansion there came additional ex-
pense-expense, not in millions, but
in billions. Recently, you know,
President Roosevelt asked congress
to appropriate more than SO, 900, 000,-
900 for the government year begin
ming July l, 1899. That total is not
all. There will be other and addi-
tional sums called for as each one
of these agencies, or many of them,
fails to live within its appropriation
and goes back to congress to ask
for more money. The relief admin
istration came in a few weeks ago
and asked for $875, 100000 more to
run it until July when congress
believed in May, 1888, that it was
voting enough funds to meet the
needs of relief until the coming July.
But to get back to Mr.. Rice's sur
vey. am not informed as to de-
tails, or whether the figures have
been segregated to show how many
of these 1876, 100000 reports are filed
with each of the several agencies.
Certain of the great offenders in the
matter of demanding reports can
be enumerated, however, to show
the trend. It is necessary obviously
in some cases for an agency of the
government to have all details of
businesses over which it has super
vision; yet, / can not help wonder
ing whether it is necessary to have
such supervision in the first in
stance.
How Many of These Agencies
Can We Get Along Without?
Hence, the Rice survey calls at
tention to something much deeper
than just the burden that govern
", ont y,Iarac On itS cifizanc n ct10.