Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-21


continuation Of our present programs
of work for the unemployed and aids
to agriculture.
Whatever the arguments made, do
not be misled by those who say that We
need only to tax the rich to secure the
funds we need. We must face the abb
to the point of diminishing returns and
still the deficit in our ordinary and
necessary expenditures would not be
covered even upon q basis of the utmost
economy. Make no mistake: in these
circumstances It Is those who work in
! the fields, at the bench and desk who
would be forced to carry an added bur-
den for every added cent to our ex-
penditures.
Additional Burden Magnifies.
Whatever the deficit may be and in
whatever manner it may ultimately be
met, every additional expenditure placed
upon our government in this emergency
nlagnifleS itself out of all proportion
into intolerable pressures, whether 1t Is
by taxation or by loans. Either loans
CT taxes beyond the very minimum ne
ceSSttieS of government will drain the
resources of industry and commerce
and in turn will increase unemploy-
ment.
Such action can easily defeat our
hopes, our plans and our best efforts
for the recovery of our country and SO
indefinitely delay the return Of pros
perity and employment. We can carry
our present. expenditures without jeop-
ardy to national stability. We can carry
no more without grave risks.
The imperative moment has come
when increase In government expendi-
lures must be avoided, whether 1t be ILL.,
considered, haSty, or uniformed leg1s-
lation OF any kind, or whether 1t be Tor
new services meritorious IN themselves.
Any alternative will strike down the
earnest efforts of the citizenry Of our
nation to start us back upon the eco
nomic paths to which we muss return
IL we and our children are to have the
destiny which every one has the right
to hope and the heart to give them. !.
During the past week your national
commander and the members OF the
Legion's Employment COMMITTEES came
to me and offered to the Nation the
combined strength Of your million men
and your 10000 posts to help in relief
over the Winter. I here accept that
offer with the thanks Of the Nation
in the fine spirit in which 1t was sub
mitted.
But there IS today an even greater
service to our country. That Is the
determined opposition by you to ad-
ditional demands upon the Nation until
we have won this war against world
depression. am not speaking of vet
Grams legislation which has been urged
for action at this convention. but I
am speaking equally Of demands for
every other project proposed in the
country which would require increased
Federal expenditure. 1t Is an attitude
and an action toward the whole field
of Government expenditures that Is
before us.
The first stone in the foundations
of stability and recovery, both at home
and in the world, is the stability of
the Government of the United States.
1t is my purpose to maintain that sta
bility and I invite you TO enlist in
that fight.
Second Only to War.
The country's need of this service is
second only to war. / invite you to
study the relation OF their govern
mental finance to the daily welfare
and security of every man, woman and
child in the history of Europe during
the past six months alone. 1t is for
us to observe these lessons and to be
helpful, but our first duty Is to the
people of the United States. Nothing
would give a greater glow of confidence
to our country today than your enlist
ment and the vigorous support you can
bring to this effort to prevent addi-
tional burden on the Government from
any quarter whatsoever.
You would not have the President
Of the United States plead with any
citizen or any group of citizens for
any course of action. make no plea
to you. But you would have your
President point out the path of serv-
ice In this Nation. That am doing
now.
MY mind goes back to the days of
the war, where you and served In
our appointed tasks. At the end of
those years Of heartsickness over the
misery Of it all, when the peace came,
you and I knew that the wounds of the
world were unhealed and that there
would be further emergencies still be-
fore our country and the world when
self-denial and courageous service must
be given.
Your organization was born at that
the very preamble to its constitution.
ldealism of men who have gone into
the trenches in defense of their coun-
try. I have that faith. This is an
emergency and these are the times for
service to which we must put full heart
and purpose to help and not retard the
return of the happy days we know are
ahead OF your country and mine.
With the guidance of the Almighty
God; with the same faith, courage and
self-sacriflce with which you, backed
! by the Nation, won victory IA years ago.
SO shall we win victory today"