Milford chronicle., 1961-05-12
HOW MUCH SHOULD GOVERNMENT
PLAY IN LOCAL AFFAIRS?

One of the great, continuing issues of
the time in this country has to do with
the role the government plays, or should
play, in local problems and affairs. With
out going into all the pros and cons in
volved, one thing can be said with GER
tainty: eve now look to the central gov
eminent for all manner of services and
aids that were totally unknown a COM
paratively short time ago. And the cost
of these has become staggering over the
years.
1t is argued that only the federal gov
eminent has the resources to deal effec-
lively with a lengthy list of local diff
culties. And it is true that Washington has
long provided aid and succor when disas-
tiers, such as floods and tornadOes, have
struck various regions. However, in late
times, local governments and local groups
have turned almost automatically to Wash
ington and to the federal treasury for
troubles that are simply not in the disas-
ter category and that, in a previous era
would have been dealt with at home.
The question, of course, is just how
necessary federal aid for certain purposes
is-and whether or not the local COM
munity could solve most of the local prob
lens if it only tried. A publication of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States casts revealing light on the matter.
>,
which, in 1859, became what is known as
a depressed area.
Cause of the trouble was the closing
of a major army base on the city's out
skirts. The CTS who had spent freely dis
appeared. With them went thousand civil
liam jobs. The area lost 5000 of its popu-
latiOn. Numbers of businesses went to the
wall, and for sale and for rent signs APP
peared in hundreds of dwellings.
But Fort Smith did not 90 hat in hand
to Washington for help. Instead local
leaders decided to do the needed job with
local energies and resources. The Chamber
of Commerce was revitalized and given
additional financing, and its industrial de-
velopment program was completely over
hauled. A 1OO-man committee was organ
lied into teams to inventory the areas
tangible assets.
Surveys were conducted to gather the
material that would make Fort Smith at
tractive to prospective industry. 1t was
shown that operating costs were lower
than in many other places; that good NUM-
cipal services were available at moderate
tax cost; that the school system was ex-
cellent; that there was an abundance of
the necessary natural resources; and so on
down an impressive list Then, whenever
the opportunity presented itself, industrial
ments, pleaded their case before the ex-
ecutive officers of industries
The program has been an outstanding
success. Last year 1888 new jobs came
into being in the city-more than were
lost when the army camp closed. The year
also witnessed the coming of seven brand
new industries and % major Industrial
expansions, accounting for capital ex-
penditure of more than $18 million. A new
SO million plant is nearing completion,
and production just started on another SD
million development. New shopping cen
tiers are springing up, school facilities are
being improved, bonds have been voted
for new civic auditorium, and the Fort
Smith atmosphere has turned from gloom
to optimism.
The Chambers report observes, "Dis-
daining any kind of federal aid from
Washington, Fort Smiths business leaders
declare: We're a city on the move. There's
no limit where we can CO." 1t seems only
fair to say that many another community
could do as much when trouble strikes,
instead of asking Uncle Sam to take care
of everything.