By making money artificially scarce interest rates throughout the country can be arbitrarily raised and the bank tax on all business and cost of living increased for the profit of the banks owning these regional central banks, and without the slightest benefit to the people. These 12 corporations together cover the whole country and monopolize and use for private gain every dollar of the public currency, and all public revenues of the United States. Alfred Owen Crozier, testimony to the Senate Committee on Banking and Currency (23 October 1913), criticizing regional bank control of discount rates