The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-12
SCRIPTS URGES
RECORD CUT IN
LABOR'S HOURS
More Equal Distribution of
Wealth Also Seen as
Vital Need.
Continued from Page one)

ment, for millions of intelligent and
willing workers, then something is
decidedly wrong with the system
which permits this condition.
Il doubt if legislators can do
much about it by passing laws. But
they might supply the leadership
which industry itself so far has
been unable to supply. At least
the sort Of legislators here gath
cred might do that.
II am not for Socialism. or Boil
Shevism, or Fascism. Being what
I am, a newspaper man, I could
not be. I have observed that all
sorts of relationships strangle the
very thing that I am particularly
interested ina free and indie
pendent press.
They likewise strange free and
independent financiers. And bust
ness men. And politicians. All of
these should have the same dread
that I have, professionally, of too
much power in the state.
But. by the same token, I am
aware that the bulk of our people
are not writer's, not orators, not
company promoters. Their inter-
est is in regular eating and con-
tinuation of family life, sadly dis
rupted by the recurrent business
depressions which economists here
tofore have accepted, and even come
to label, cyclical.
Il think that the bulk of our ueo-
pie like to have free writer's, and
orators, and bankers in their midst.
They like them, up to point. The
point is reached when, in the midst
of plenty, they themselves are
thrown out Of work.
Masses Are Awakening
This has been happening pretty
regularly for some centuries. But
today the masses are reading
about Russia and about Italy-and
1t is uncomfortable that they will
stand for it indefinitely.
"We-and speak from my own
point of view-have here a problem
that the world will not get rid of
simply by guess and by gosh, or
by any other natural process. The
fact is that all over the civilized
world, by reason of application of
science, potential per capita pro-
duction is increasing much more
rapidly than population.
my own bunch is that If all of
us are to keep busy and not starve
and if I, and Bob Lafollette, and
any young business men you want
to name-are going to keep our Jobs.
that fact can indicate only one way
out.
Slash Working Hours
First, shorter hours of labor
than ever have been dreamed of.
Second, a much more wide dis
tribution Of wealth-through wages
or otherwise-to permit increased
luxury consumption, and increased
luxury employment.
GAS I see it, gentlemen, the alter
native is the goose step, one way or
another, and Lenin or MussoIini
make mighty little difference.
FINALLY, I think that some such
readjustment Is coming. I think it
inevitable. And I think it can be
expedited by congressman in this
way: By making it equitable be-
tween one business and another.
IT have had good many Of what
you call big business contracts
lately. I have been amazed at the
number Of these people who are
thinking clearly on this subject. I
think what many Of them want is
a chance to retire gracefully from
their present untenable position,
with some guarantee that they will
not be kicked in the rear by COM
petitor on the way out"