States to join the Union was to persuade them to let it control commerce between the States. The southern part of the country was afraid the northern part would get control of the government and make it difficult for the farmers of the country to trade with European manufacturers. Each State in different parts of the country thought it would be better off if it could keep out the goods of other States when it wished. These were selfish and mistaken notions. Washington and Hamilton finally persuaded them to write into the constitution a rule that trade between the States should be controlled by the Union, and that any person in any State might buy goods or sell them in another without any interference. We have what is called the Interstate Commerce Commission, which is appointed by the President, and which studies the complaints of all citizens who think their freedom of trade is being interfered with by the railroads and other carriers.

309. Roads and Railroads.

When the United States was formed it was difficult to travel from one State to another. It was still more difficult to get across the mountains into the new lands of the Ohio or Mississippi valley. There were no railroads. The wagon roads were so poor that travel was dangerous as well as slow. At first the government of the Union did nothing to make travel easier, but gradually thoughtful people began to see that private individuals would not invest their money in roads; and that the States would not work together wisely in building them. Therefore the government of the United States spent large sums in improvements. Roads and canals were built. Much of the money was wasted, but much good was done. Then came the idea of building railroads for the use of steam engines. This work had to depend on the aid of

the government because it was such a large undertaking. When we secured the lands west of the Mississippi River we wished to connect them with the East. Therefore the government made free gifts of land to the companies which built railroads across the continent. This kind of public work still has to be aided and controlled, and the railroads which are built have to be supervised by the officers of the government to see that they give every one fair treatment. This is a large part of the work of the Interstate Commerce Commission. During The World War all the railroads were united under one head in order to run them more economically and efficiently. In this way much expense was saved, and goods were shipped more directly to their destinations. Possibly this union of the roads will be found wise enough to continue.

310. Postal Service. Among the first tasks of the Union was to provide a postal service for the whole country. Now there is a movement to have it also manage the telegraph and telephone systems. Some people think it is better for private companies to supply these services while others argue that the government should do it. No one knows yet which is the better plan; thoughtful officers of the government must study the whole problem carefully before we make any change. One reason why the government might undertake the task is to make certain that all parts of the country receive equal benefit from it. Such service in thinly settled places is not profitable; yet the government will send a letter to a remote cabin in the Rocky Mountains for the same charge that it makes for taking it from one part of a county to another. Thus every citizen has an equal opportunity to carry on his business and to keep in touch with his friends. It may be wise for the

government also to provide quick and cheap service by electricity for all of the people. One reason for not having it undertake this task at this time is our failure to find a way to select efficient public servants. Many people think it is better to pay a higher price and get good service, which they think the government cannot give.

311. Money. Another great task the Union began to perform as soon as it was organized was to supply money. Business cannot be carried on without a currency that all the people can trust. The word currency comes from a Latin word which means to run. Money flows from one person to another, aiding in the exchange of goods. Therefore it is useless unless the people who employ it know just what it is worth, and unless it is worth the same everywhere. The government of the United States coins metal for use as money, but it is awkward to handle and it loses value by wearing out. Therefore we use much paper currency which is nothing but an engraved promise that the government will pay its value in metal to any one who asks it. The value of all of our money is expressed in gold dollars, but we have so much confidence that the government will keep its silver dollars at the same value as gold ones that we pay little attention to the kind of money we happen to have. You will find it interesting to read both sides of the paper money you have and see what the government promises to do.

312. Banks and Credit. In almost all trading bank checks are now used; very little money changes hands in any large business. There is no more important service rendered by the government than safeguarding the banks so that we may handle checks on them with confidence. These institutions are constantly under inspection by of

ficers who visit them and inquire into all of their affairs, count their money, and examine their books. Panics usually come in the business world because people lose confidence in each other. The government of the United States helps to protect business confidence by requiring that all contracts be kept, seeing that our money is reliable, and protecting our rights; but all of this is not enough. Through the Federal Reserve Bank it also lends money at reasonable rates of interest to business men who need it and who cannot get it because lenders have become frightened and fear that our prosperity will not continue. This whole matter of credit and banking is so difficult that it can be understood only by those who have given it careful study. One reason why some critics find so much fault with the business of the country is that they have not studied its problems and do not know what difficult tasks the officers of the government and those who manage large business have to perform in order to keep our great industries going.

313. Other Aid to Industry and Business. We can mention only a few of the many other things which the government of the United States does in aid of those who do the work of the world. If you write a book the government will give you a copyright, which for many years will prevent any one else from printing your ideas without your permission. If you invent a machine the government protects your property in it by a patent. Consuls are sent to all parts of the world to get information for our business men and to stimulate our trade with other countries. Taxes are levied on goods brought into the country to protect our industries from the competition of foreign countries in order that our workmen may receive higher wages. Many citizens think this aid is not wise, and that our industries

should compete with those of foreign lands on equal terms. Others say that such an industry as the manufacture of dyestuffs, which arose during the war when we could not import such things from Germany, must be protected while it is getting on its feet. This question is one of the main topics of debate between our political parties.

314. Fair Competition. It is the constant care of the government to insure competition on equal terms but to insure it has thus far been more than could be accomplished. Dishonest manufacturers have issued false advertisements, sold goods which were not what they were represented to be, and received rebates and other unfair advantages from the railroads and other companies who should serve every citizen on equal terms. Selfish men have employed little children in work dangerous to their health and growth, paid wages to women on which it was impossible for them to live, and in many such ways competed with honest and fair industry. Neither the private citizen nor the officers of the government know yet how to prevent these things so that honest business may have its just reward; but we must not lose confidence in our government because it is not perfect. No human institution is. We must also avoid thinking that to transfer our work from the State government to that of the United States will insure its being done much better. The officers in Washington are human beings like those at our State capital.

SUGGESTIONS AND QUESTIONS

1. Take an outline map of the United States and mark on it the sections in which animals, such as sheep, hogs, and cattle, are raised for food. Mark sections in which grains are grown; cotton; wool; vegetables such as potatoes and cabbage; fruit; and the like. Mark sections where coal and iron are mined.