Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-28

Relations between public works and
taxation have been considered as
factors in the efforts to decrease un-
employment. The debate follows APP
pointment by President Hoover OF a
committee to obtain relief. While this
is balanced against the demand for
economy, it is pointed out in some
comments that the public is taxed
ultimately for idleness as surely as 1t
is taxed for increased public expendi-
lures. Satisfaction is expressed that
greater preparations for relief have
been made this year than ever before.
The Hoover committee receives ex-
pressions of good will, but there is some
demand for greater practical results in
the efforts under way.
1.-THE Presidents committee" says
the New York Sun, Invites cooperation
from Governors of the States and from
State and municipal agencies: Com
mittees have already been established
in several States and cities: others no
doubt will be formed as need becomes
apparent. The essential thing for all
agencies is to proceed with sanity and
flrmness. neither stirring up unnecessary
alarm on one hand nor failing frankly
to face difficulties as they come up.
The oldest temporary remedy for I'M
employment is the execution OF public
works. A Pharaoh or Napoleon could
order the construction of pyramid or
a highway and put thousands of idle
men to work. Democracy moves more
slowly"
1T is doubtful" according to the
Chattanooga Times, IF ever in the
history of the country SO much prep
aration has been made for relief of
the unemployed as is now under way.
And this should not be taken as indica-
ting that the situation is worse than in
former periods of depression, so much
as that Government and those who
have plenty are awakening to q keener
realization of their obligation to those
who are in what President Hoover
called honest difficulties' It is an in
dication that the country which has
succored starving Russians and Near
East unfortunateS is not going to neglect
its own in time of temporary distress"
1.-THE dole system has been a complete
failure in England" ayers the st.
Joseph Gazette, demanding for this
country "a more rational scheme" The
Hartford Times advises mo foolish
extravaganza in governmental provision
of work, but liberal attitude and
prompt action" Pointing to work al
ready done in Illinois, New York and
Ohio, the st. Louis lobe-Democrat
holds that they are typical of a work
that ought to be and must be done
throughout the country; in fact, is be-
ing done in many industrial centerS."
The Wheeling Intelligencer believes
that "every citizen can assist by hard
work and wise spending" and concludes
that with long pull, a strong pull and
pull together, unemployment Will
sharply subside."
lie 10
clares the New York Evening Post, sis
plain statement of the construction
work and other unemployment agencies
actually put into action by former COM
mitteeS." The Champaign News-Ga-
zette insists that mo practical solution
has yet been presented by which the
slack in the lines of business may be
taken up" and argues that the best OF
the suggestions made so far seems to
be that growing out of previous confer
ences wherein it has been suggested
that Government building construction
be pushed to the limit"
On the subject of tendency to reduce
budgets, the Milwaukee Journal empha-
sizes the dilemma with the statement:
Whether any President or administra-
ton would have the courage greatly to
multiply public spending, thereby de-
liberately increasing future tax loads
before the very eyes of protesting tax
payers, is a question. But It Is the QueS- |
ton the President faces. The policy he |
advocated of increased public expendi- |
lures comes presently to the ques-
ton of increased public revenues-that |
is, taxes. It has come to that place |
now. Will the administration go along |
with it, or announce Grange of posi- |
tion?"
y X
Commenting on this attitn6e toward |
the problem, the Kansas City Times re-