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Editorial
August 5, 1955
The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Editorial by Dr. George S. Benson criticizes wasteful federal spending on medical services, citing Hoover Commission findings of billions wasted in 1954 and redundant VA hospitals. Urges citizens to support reforms for fiscal conservation.
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WASTE NOT. WANT NOT
By Dr. George S. Benson, Director, National Education Program
A wise philosopher once said, "Waste not, want not is a law of nature." Thinking people readily accept this truth. I once heard a great "fireball" baseball pitcher, who had retired from the game at a relatively young age, put it in these words: "Apparently there are just so many fast ball tosses in a man's arm. I've thrown mine all in a bunch, and I'm through too early."
There are just so many tons of iron ore, so many barrels of petroleum, so many cubic yards of topsoil available in our nation, and if we use them up wastefully, and without developing other resources to replace them, we are selfish and shortsighted, and our children may experience want. It is good to know that we have conservation programs working effectively toward prolonging the life and production capacity of most of our natural resources. But it is disturbing to realize that few of us have given any real support to a conservation program in Federal government spending.
The Hoover Commission task force which studied the Federal medical services reports that many millions of dollars, coming out of our stockpile of natural resources (and our pocketbooks), are being wasted in the hodgepodge of Federal medical services-costing taxpayers $4,149,000,000 in 1954!
Not far from my home the Veterans Administration built a $20 million hospital a few years ago, although just five miles away was a huge VA hospital facility and 50 miles distance was one of the finest Army-Navy hospitals in the nation. Today the Army-Navy hospital is being closed down. The Defense Department says there is no need for it. This single incident represents a waste of perhaps $50 to $100 million in all. And it is a tiny isolated droplet in the great tide of wasteful spending.
What is the remedy? The Hoover Commission recommended the appointment of a Federal Advisory Council of Health composed of distinguished laymen and physicians; and it sets forth specific measures to lighten up on veterans' medical services and the whole structure of Federal health programs. These recommendations, however, will be worthless unless citizens support them through the use of their influence with their congressmen, and with other less interested citizens. But perhaps your tax bill isn't burdensome!
By Dr. George S. Benson, Director, National Education Program
A wise philosopher once said, "Waste not, want not is a law of nature." Thinking people readily accept this truth. I once heard a great "fireball" baseball pitcher, who had retired from the game at a relatively young age, put it in these words: "Apparently there are just so many fast ball tosses in a man's arm. I've thrown mine all in a bunch, and I'm through too early."
There are just so many tons of iron ore, so many barrels of petroleum, so many cubic yards of topsoil available in our nation, and if we use them up wastefully, and without developing other resources to replace them, we are selfish and shortsighted, and our children may experience want. It is good to know that we have conservation programs working effectively toward prolonging the life and production capacity of most of our natural resources. But it is disturbing to realize that few of us have given any real support to a conservation program in Federal government spending.
The Hoover Commission task force which studied the Federal medical services reports that many millions of dollars, coming out of our stockpile of natural resources (and our pocketbooks), are being wasted in the hodgepodge of Federal medical services-costing taxpayers $4,149,000,000 in 1954!
Not far from my home the Veterans Administration built a $20 million hospital a few years ago, although just five miles away was a huge VA hospital facility and 50 miles distance was one of the finest Army-Navy hospitals in the nation. Today the Army-Navy hospital is being closed down. The Defense Department says there is no need for it. This single incident represents a waste of perhaps $50 to $100 million in all. And it is a tiny isolated droplet in the great tide of wasteful spending.
What is the remedy? The Hoover Commission recommended the appointment of a Federal Advisory Council of Health composed of distinguished laymen and physicians; and it sets forth specific measures to lighten up on veterans' medical services and the whole structure of Federal health programs. These recommendations, however, will be worthless unless citizens support them through the use of their influence with their congressmen, and with other less interested citizens. But perhaps your tax bill isn't burdensome!
What sub-type of article is it?
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Wasteful Spending
Federal Medical Services
Hoover Commission
Resource Conservation
Government Reform
Veterans Administration
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. George S. Benson
Hoover Commission
Veterans Administration
Defense Department
Federal Advisory Council Of Health
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Wasteful Federal Government Spending On Medical Services
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Waste And Supportive Of Conservation And Reforms
Key Figures
Dr. George S. Benson
Hoover Commission
Veterans Administration
Defense Department
Federal Advisory Council Of Health
Key Arguments
Waste Not, Want Not Is A Law Of Nature Applicable To Resources And Spending
Federal Medical Services Waste Millions Of Dollars, Costing $4,149,000,000 In 1954
Example Of Redundant Va Hospital Near Existing Facilities Leading To $50 100 Million Waste
Hoover Commission Recommends Advisory Council And Reforms To Veterans' And Federal Health Programs
Citizens Must Support Recommendations By Influencing Congressmen To Reduce Waste