CHAPTER XX

Ways in Which Our Government Groups Work with
Groups of Citizens

"As soon as public service ceases to be [is no longer]
the chief business of the citizens, and they would rather
serve with their money than with their persons, the
Government is not far from its fall."

-Jean Jacques Rousseau.

We have studied the ways in which our government groups work together. But they must also work with the people. The public officers are only the representatives of the people. They are placed in office to serve the people.

WAYS IN WHICH LAWMAKERS WORK WITH GROUPS OF CITIZENS

Many times, during their terms of office, the officers of our local governments are asked to help the citizens. Perhaps one group of citizens wants more and better street lights. Another group says that it should have a new school building in some part of the town. Still a third group would like to have less taxes. The citizens want something done. They expect their representatives to help them do it.

The elected officers of the State and National Governments also learn the needs of the people. Every member of the Congress, for example, gets letters asking that the National Government work with a State or a city in meeting some public need. Some of the letters suggest that the Congress pass new laws. Others do not favor a bill that is before the Congress.

Many persons go to the offices of their Senators and Representatives. They present their ideas in person. The letters and calls receive attention. The public officers are

generally willing and anxious to work with groups of citizens.

OUR CITIZENS MEET THOSE WHO CARRY OUT THE LAWS

Groups of citizens work more often with officers who enforce the laws. We know these officers best because we meet them more often. We work with them. For example, almost every citizen of the United States knows his postman. He is served often by the Post Office Department. The services are given in such a quiet, simple way that we often forget those who work both day and night to

serve us.

Most citizens do not think about the Navy Department when they set their watches by some clock in a public place or building. But the time is correct because the clock is controlled by the correct Naval Observatory time. Nor do the people think of the Department of Commerce when they read the weather reports or hear them on the radio.

HOW GOVERNMENT GROUPS WORK WITH HEALTH GROUPS

Every year we learn more about how to protect the public health. We believe that the people must have good health, sound minds, and strong bodies. In other chapters we have mentioned the public parks, playgrounds, hospitals, and homes that are built by government groups. These are used by many of our citizens to improve their health. The teachers in our public schools look after the health of the pupils. Our city and State governments often employ doctors and nurses to care for those who are sick.

Our National Government has special officers who work to prevent the spread of diseases. The officers study new medicines and new ways of treating the sick. They tell doctors and nurses how to improve the health of our people. They print books on health care and the causes of diseases. Every year these books are given away free to those who ask for them.

HOW GOVERNMENT GROUPS WORK WITH LABOR GROUPS

There are many National and State laws that say under what conditions people may work. In general, the States control these matters. Most of the States now have special officers to guard against accidents to wage earners. They protect the health of labor groups. There are other laws that compel those who own the mills and the mines to guard against dangers. Special officers see that these laws are obeyed. Other officers help persons out of work to find jobs.

Other officers work with employers and employees in trying to settle disagreements between them without stopping work.

The National Government has a Department of Labor, as you have learned, which helps to improve the conditions of labor groups. The Department of Labor studies the future supply of labor for the country.

HOW GOVERNMENT GROUPS WORK WITH FARM GROUPS

At the time the Constitution was written, very few persons thought that our government groups should help the farmers. But as people began to move to the cities, we learned that we depend on the farmer to satisfy many of our wants. In time, our government groups began to test seeds and to improve livestock. They showed the farmer how he could get more for his labor. They showed him how to fight the enemies of farm crops, animal diseases, and other dangers.

The work of the farmers became so important to the Nation that the Congress set up a Department of Agriculture. The Department tries to find new uses for agricultural products. It controls many of the markets at which the products are sold. It has brought new plants from foreign countries and has taught the farmer how to grow them. It tells when to plant certain crops. It helps the farmer to decide when to gather and to market his crops. In recent years, the Government has helped the farmers to build up the soil. We had more land than we could

properly care for in the early days. The good soil was wasted. Today much of the land is very poor. In early days, the farmers could move on to new lands or plow up the grass lands. But this is no longer possible. We must build up the soil by planting proper crops and in other ways.

Both the National and State Governments are working with the farmers to prevent further waste of soil. They are helping to take water off good lands where it is not needed. In other States, they help the farmers to bring water from the mountains and rivers to dry land where it is needed to grow crops.

HOW GOVERNMENT GROUPS WORK WITH MONEY GROUPS

Almost every person in this country deals with a bank. We keep our money in banks. We go there to cash checks. Often we borrow money from a bank. The persons for whom we work must have money to meet pay rolls. Many of the pay rolls are prepared by banks. We could not get along well without our banks.

Some of the banks are controlled by the National Government. All of these banks must have the word "National" in their names. The other banks are controlled by the States in which they are placed. These banks must obey the State law. Officers examine the books of the banks every few months to see that the banks obey the laws and that the people's money is safe.

HOW GOVERNMENT GROUPS WORK WITH GROUPS WHO TRAVEL OR SHIP GOODS

Persons who travel or ship goods from place to place want to feel safe. We are usually free to travel where we please. We can sell and ship our goods. Often we pay others for these services. When we drive over the public roads and streets, we like to know that they are safe. When we travel on railroads or ships, we expect Government officers to examine them and to protect our lives and property.

If a ship flies the flag of the United States, it is examined at fixed dates by officers of the Department of Commerce of the National Government. The officers will not permit a ship to sail if they find that it is not in good condition. Also, the officers of the ships are supplied with maps prepared by the Navy Department. The weather reports are handed or sent to them many times a day by another branch of the National Government. And the officers protect persons on the vessels against disease, accidents, and storms insofar as possible.

The engines and cars that are used by the railroad companies must be safe. They are examined at regular times by Government officers in order to see that they are in good condition. The different bus and truck companies must meet the standards laid down by the governments. There are limits as to speed, load, and weight. Also, these companies are not free to charge what they please for their services. Their rates are fixed by boards and officers of the Government.

HOW GOVERNMENT GROUPS WORK WITH BUSINESS GROUPS

Our government groups help the businessmen in many ways. A businessman needs information. The National and State Governments try to supply it.

The Department of Interior helps those who own mines and oil and gas lands to prevent accidents and waste. Other officers of the Government help businessmen to make and sell foods and medicines that meet the standards fixed by law. The chief purpose of the Department of Commerce is to help the businessmen of the nation. You will want to study again the work of that Department.

THINGS TO DO

Complete each of the following:

1. During the past twenty-four hours, I saw the following Government officers:

a. b.