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Show HOW STATE RIGHTS VANISH There is always considerable talk about states' rights in connection with the widening of the powers pow-ers of the Federal Government. Usually, the subject sub-ject is mentioned by those who are opposed to whatever what-ever the Federal Government is attempting to undertake. under-take. The steady decline of the States, as instruments of efficient government, has been due, in our opinion, opin-ion, to the failure of State Legislatures to levy sufficient suf-ficient taxes to enable the commonwealth to assume the increasing burdens of modern government. It is much easier to persuade the Federal Government, which has a source of funds which is apparently unlimited, un-limited, to make an appropriation. This process is seen in two bills now pending before be-fore Congress. One is called a Public Library Demonstration Dem-onstration bill, under which the sum of $25,000 a year will be given to each state, with the possibility of additional funds on a matching basis. We understand under-stand the idea is to spend the funds in rural areas in accordance with a state-devised plan. Another bill, reflecting the tendency to let the Federal Government pay for activities that could be initiated by the states, is designed to promote safe working conditions in industry. This would appropriate appropri-ate $5,000,000 annually in aid to states cooperating in the program. While a formula is included for dividing the funds, no state will get less than $15,000. The states' rights idea, as we understand it in connection with many issues, is that the Federal Government Gov-ernment should not undertake what State governments govern-ments can do if they please, .and that the general welfare wel-fare of the people of this nation will be served by permitting as much local government as possible Those who believe in this principle, should not except ex-cept m rare instances; advocate the distribution of federal funds to the, various states for use in con-nection con-nection with functions that are properlv intra-statP |