98 The State and the Farmer 



propose to discuss. Federal appropriations 

 will, of course, increase ; and a way will be 

 found whereby an increasing proportion of 

 them may be so applied and disbursed as to 

 stimulate local enterprise; and herein lies the 

 possibility of the most fruitful species of fed- 

 eral and state cooperation. Congress might 

 appropriate funds to be spent directly by local 

 governments: the funds originate with the 

 people in the localities. For the present, let 

 us consider that there are regularly established 

 agencies in all the states for the investigation 

 of technical agricultural problems of those 

 states. It is important that these agencies in- 

 vestigate these problems, not primarily because 

 the agencies happen to be established, or be- 

 cause competent men happen to be connected 

 with them, but because responsibility should 

 lie at home with the people. No state can 

 delegate to Congress the obligation of meet- 

 ing its own problems; and every movement 

 that tends to weaken local responsibility and 

 initiative is a distinct menace to the people. 

 Whenever the people are taught to look beyond 



