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Show THE BULLETIN IBruckart's Washington Digest Federal Government So Huge Few Can Grasp Its Magnitude Heat at Arctic Circle Brown Bomber Strikes Again lip' WHO'S The Yukon river mining camp at Circle, Alaska, is but half a de- gree below the Arctic circle and its winter temperatures run to 30 and 50 degrees below zero, but its householders stay warm as toast Circle hot springs is the answer. Virtually every structure in the town is being heated by natural hot water. NEWS i Multiplicity of Bureaus and Agencies Demanding Reports of All Kinds Places Tremendous Burden on Business; Many Agencies Covering Same Lines of Business. THIS WEEK By WILLIAM BRUCKART WNU Service, National Press Bldf., Washington, D. C. Many times in these columns I have written expressions of fear about the size of this thing we call the federal government. It is so huge that few persons grasp the magnitude of the machinery. And it can not be explained satisfactorily. Certainly, one can not say that it is just "so big," and measure it by extended arms. On the other hand, incidents or actions of a unit of the federal government may furnish an indication of the size on the basis of a comparison. 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 1, 1938, the director of the census estimated there were 130,215,000 persons living within the continental United States. During the year 1938, 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 135,000,000 reports, information forms, questionnaires, statistical facts and other required statements. That total is the official calculation 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 a real basis for the thousands of complaints and editorial criticisms about the tremendous burden that has been placed upon every kind of business, including individuals, by their government The Rice conclusions, however, have demonstrated in an understanding way just what an octopus our national government has become, and it may be indeed, it is likely that Mr. Rice has performed 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. WASHINGTON. 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 performing, there was a time when the populace raised loud shouts because their government was spending a billion dollars a 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 government. There were, too, numerous ideas being fomented and allowed to ferment Each one contemplated something new in the way of government functions. Well, each one contemplated some additional federal expense. In this way, there began an expansion of the federal government that has carried on with an pace until the New Deal took over, six years ago. Then, we really went 'to town in expanding the number of arms and legs and eyes and ears of the federal government Yes, and with that expansion there came additional expense expense, not in millions, but in billions. Recently, you know. President Roosevelt asked congress to appropriate more than $9,000,000,-00- 0 for the government year beginning July 1, 1939. That total is not all. There will be other and additional 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 administration came in a few weeks ago and asked for $875,000,000 more to run it until July 1 when congress believed in May, 1938, that it was voting enough funds to meet the needs of relief until the coming July. But to get back to Mr. Rice's survey. I am not informed as to details, or whether the figures have been segregated to show how many of these 135,000,000 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 supervision; yet I can not help wondering whether it is necessary to have such supervision in the first instance. ever-accelerati-ng How Many of These Agencies Can We Get Along Without? Hence, the Rice survey calls attention to something much deeper than just the burden that government places on its citizens. It sug- gests the question: how many of these governmental agencies and their functions can we do without? How many can be abandoned with benefit, both in the matter of sound government and in the elimination nf useless expense to the taxpayers Wait, By LEMUEL F. PARTON and the individuals or corporations required to meet government demands? My guess is that at least a third of our present government structure is of no value; that at least that portion could be eliminated and everyone would be happier, and that if a large chunk of these functions were forgotten, living wouldn't be so complicated and certainly not so costly. It must be remembered that every time cost of government is increased, there is more than the outlay for government expense involved. Every time a government agency gets slimy fingers into business, just then does there arise an added cost of living. It is not hearsay with me when I say that high pressure groups force additional government expenses upon the nation. I have watched their operation year after year. I have sat in the galleries of congress and observed the operation of lobbyists who have checked and their lists of members; I have seen their propaganda, their threats of dire consequences at the polls and I have seen cowardly senators and representatives capitulate to the pressure. A million or so, or several hundred millions, are voted; a new federal agency is created and starts spending money. The personnel that gets 6n the payroll at the start begins immediately to look for ways to keep its jobs and the agency establishes a "liaison" with congress in order that congress can be YORK. 'MEW Mushing along A with Jim Titus, an old desert rat, about twenty miles southeast of Tonopah, many years ago, this . scrivener was alarmed by the of Diplomat,Tichet on Key Pittman ?hat seemed to be a savage sandstorm. Old Jim, who seemed Seldom has Twentieth Century sportdom seen a figure so sensa- to know everything, reassured me. "It's that young feller Key tional and consistently spectacular as Joe Louis, heavyweight cham-He's runnin around in that tcho won his title on June 22, 1937, by knocking out James J automobile of his Eton big rattletrap in the seventh round of a scheduled IS round bout. Joe to get up a telephone comtryin Louis is again in the news because he risks his title again January 27. pany. Just kickin' up a dust that's Negro Louis ( above left) will fight John Henry Lewis (above right), about all. No peace for anybody light heavyweight titleholder and also a Negro, a boxer wkosm success around here." Mr. Pittman roared on through has been almost as sensational as that of the "brown bomber," In 1937 he rose like lightning, winning 11 out of 12 bouts. But Joe the greasewood, to Bet up his new telephone company, sluice a tidy litLouts has fought about tle fortune out of that and sundry 39 times since July 4, mining ventures, and to become 1934, and has lost only chairman of the foreign relations was when once. That committee of the United States senMax Schmeling, the ate. He backs up the President. German, knocked him "Why shoot a man when yon out in the 12th round, ean starve him to death?" says Mr. Pittman, indorsing the hint upsetting all the dope of. "financial sanctions" against buckets and making world outlawry in the Presifans a bit dubious about dent's address. He readies his his "invincibility." committee for action. In Nome, Alaska, Mr. Pittman was a charter member of the Ornery Men's club, organized at Tex Rickard's bar. Years later, Ole Last June 22, Louis met Elliott, Tex Rickard's partner, reSchmeling again. Earlier, For- organized the club in Tex's northern mer Champion Jim Braddock saloon in Goldfield. I believe Mr. "informed." and Jack Dempsey visited him at Pittman's affiliations were with the There are 20 or 30 boards and buclub, down the street, camp. Said Braddock: "1 be- Montezuma reaus and commissions in the govwas he a but highly esteemed alumwill lieve trick he in five nus of the Alaska turn the ernment today that were created chapter and he rounds. him. Joe fooled After for "temporary" purposes, but found enthusiastic "sourdough" 2:0-- minutes, the shortest chamwhich continue to convince members backing in his financial and political Anof congress that unless the agency pionship bout on record, enterprises. Since 1913, Nevada has nouncer Harry Balough raised been sending him regularly to the is continued thousands of persons will suffer maybe die. the victor's hand. Joe floored senate. He has been steadily against Max three times in the first Too Much Burden Placed Japan that is, against strong-arround, only to have Schmeling1s Case-Harden- Western Newspaper Union. ed m seconds throw in the towel to mercifully end the barrage. Japanese trade and and quite as fervently for silver. Well np in the headlines today b the conjecture that the President's new trade and credit militancy will move first in the direction of Japan. Born in Mississippi, educated in Tennessee, practicing law in Seattle, Mr. Pittman. landed in Dawson, Alaska, with a Canadian dime in his pocket. He manned a unilateral bucksaw for a few months before he was appointed district attorney. Jack London and Rex Beach found in him a rich pay streak of copy. tary aggression A Louis was in top form that night, as shown by the above picture. completely Schmeling misted a left to the head as Joe drove a right to the chin and his left into action. strung This was revenge, and it brought Joy to the youngsters at DetroWs Brewster Center, where Joe received his first boxinn lesson. At right he is shown holding two hero "orthipers who hop to follow in his steps. up-perc- ut Nmr give your children unknown 'Bargain' remedies to take unless you ask your doctor. A mother may save a few pennies giving her children unknown preparations. But a child's life is precious beyond pennies. So Ask your doctor before you give any remedy you don't know allabout And when giving the common children's remedy, milk of magnesia, always ask for "Phillips" Milk of Magnesia. Because for three generations Phillips' has been favored by many physicians as a standard, reliable and proved preparation marvel-ousl- y gentle lor youngsters. Many children like Phillips' in the newer form tiny peppermint-flavore- d tablets 'that chew like candy. Each tablet contains the equivalent of one teaspoonf ul of the liquid Phillips.' 257 for a big box. A bottle of Phillips' liquid Milk of Magnesia costs but 257. So anua r i r one can auora uie acnuinc. vreiui mothers ask for it by its full name il. PHILLIPS' MILK OF MAGNESIA IN LIQUID mili- HP HE son of a Buffalo dock work-er, one of nine children, who had seen labor wars in his youth and through his lifetime, has sought Why So Many Different Agencies Doing Same Work? ever-prese- nt Doctor First Pitt-ma- n. - From the standpoint of effective administration assuming that many of the government activities are proper why is it necessary for the government to have 11 different agencies interested in housing? Why should the departments of commerce, labor, and agriculture, as another example, be asking the same business man to make reports to each one on the same subject? Why should there be a federal deposit insurance company, a board of governors of the federal reserve system and a comptroller of the currency all concerned with one industrybanking? Why should each of these agencies have examiners or investigators, doing very much the same thing, making investigations and examinations and reports to their respective agencies? And I forgot this one: the securities and exchange commission also horns into bank management every now and then! Aside from these types, there is the taxing authority. Now, there must be taxes and they must be collected and it must be admitted that not all taxpayers are honest. But hundreds of tax investigators are going around and around and undoubtedly they get their feet tangled up with other investigators and examiners. One wonders where the end is. Your approach On Every Kind of Business Surely, Mr. Rice has corroborated the contention that government is placing too much cf a burden on every kind of business by demanding and obtaining all of these reportsdaily, weekly, monthly, annually. Of my knowledge, I can point to a hundred small businesses that have had to hire extra accountants and other experts to do nothing but make out reports to the federal government and answer correspondence from some squirt here in Washington who tells them they have not filled in the proper items on line 87, etc. It has- happened to me, personally, more than once, and all there is to my office is myself and my secretary. I imagine that farmers got a taste of this business of reporting to Washington in connection with the agricultural adjustment program. In wandering around the department of agriculture I have seen hundreds of persons checking and rechecking farm contracts, reports of agents and inspectors, county committees, etc. Those farmers who did not encounter demands for statements about this, that or the other still have something to which they can look forward, because they will get such demands sooner or Later. Like the government machine itself, I can not help puzzling ar to what 135,000,000 reports mean. Of course, it can be said that it is one report for every man, woman and child in the nation, but it is not a true perspective. There are, of course, many millions of persons who make no reports to the government in Washington. That means others must make many reports. Mother-As- k fr test's Ftght on Strikes Gets Eye of Nation them was mflu ential in bring- " about the truce in the New York taxicab strike. He is the Rev. Father John Peter Boland, chairman of the unique New York State Labor Relations board since June, 1937. During his incumbency, New York has attracted the attention of the nation in its industrial media-lio- n. "Stop them before they get started" is his formula, as he quotes the pope's encyclical, advising priests to "go to the " 01 - FOIM TABLET Work Is Never Vain truly done, no word earnestly spoken, no sacrifice freely made, was ever in vain. W, Robertson. No work A Three Days' Cough Is i our Danger Signal No matter how maiw mdUiM you have tried for your cough, chest cold, or bronchial irritation, you may get relief now with Creomulslon. Serious trouble may be brewing and you cannot afford to take a chance with any remedy less potent than Creomulslon, which goes right to the seat of the trouble and aids nature to soothe and heal the Inflamed mucous membranes and to loosen and expel germ-lad- en phlegm. Even if other remedies have failed, dont be discouraged, try Creomulslon. Your drugglat is authorized to refund your money if you are not thoroughly satisfied with the benefits obtained. Creomulslon Is one word, ask for it plainly, see that the name on the bottle is Creomulslon. and youll get the genuine product and the relief you want (Adv.) Place of Amusement Let amusement fill up the chinks of your existence, but not the great spaces thereof. T. Parker. pk n!n When he was appointed to his present post, he retired from his parishes of St Lucy and St. Columba, with the blessing of his bishop, the Rev John A. Daffy of Buffalo. lie became profoundly interested in techniques of labor mediation while studying for the priesthood in Rome. He nrges regular meetings between employers and employees and continuous and constructive effort, rather than emergency action when trouble comes. working-man.- on A'Apsfea- USsUitlmlni IH rtATHIRSTV jUfT "" I 1 DASH t- II m I First to Act Among the wise, the brain acts before the mouth. reUevee COLDS Srsl Say. AHEN the young German im-V- Headaches T migrant Max J. Kramer, LIQUID. TABLETS SALVE, NOSE DROPS landed in New York and slept on a park bench, he had no "Don't Dis- - try "Bab-- Opportunity's WNU aCop,Knocked man wakened by whackWithNightstick ing his feet with a nightstick. It was really oppor- The policeman, who happened to speak German, steered him into a carpenter's job, and, before long, he was buying and building hotels with the facility of a child handling building blocks. That was the only time he ever slept out Last May, his wife, Maria Kramer, bought the Hotel Lincoln for $7,000,000 cash, tooling It over into the black In less than six months. She Is a linguist, has made a career as a fashion expert and interior decorator. Mr. Kramer, who had $3.50 when he landed, built more than 500 tenements, and, in 1925, had more than $10,000,000 worth of buildings under construction. and Fever te iae CeUs la M oUaatea. W 4-- 39 SMI tunity knocking. A sensible, d fighter, Joe Louis is retiring in private life. Much of his success he attributes to his wife, Marva Trotter Louis, shown here eating breakfast with him the morning after he trounced Max Schmeling. calm-heade- May Warn of Disordered Kidney Action Madera life with Its hurry sad worry, tnvguwr hkbits, improper eating ua its risk of exposure and infee-tio-n drinking throws heavy strain oa the work of the kidneys. They are apt to become d and fail to Alter eseras arid and other impurities from the over-use- g 30-sto-ry v Conaulld.itrd News Features. WNU Service. Yea mmv sugar nanine tnekarha. headache, diasinres, getting up nights, leg pains, swelling --feel constantly tired, nervous, all worn out. Other signs of kidney or Bladder disorder msy be barningjeanty or too frequent urinstioa. Use Boon's Pita. Awn's help the kidneys to get rid of earns poisonoua body waste. They are antiseptic to the urinary tract and tend le relieve irritation snd the paia. It causes. Many grateful people recommend Deaa'a. They hsve bed more than forty years of public approval. AM freer aeieUerf |