The Washington times., 1931-09-21

LIE ALOOA AOSPSs - NAs4NsASs(s
My fellow countrymen Of the
American Legion:
1t Is a pleasure to accept the
invitation of your commander
to attend your convention. I
am led to do so at a time Of
most pressing public duties, be-
cause l wish to lay frankly be-
fore you important facts which
l am sure you will wish to have,
and I wish to point to an op-
portunity of service which you
can give, not alone to your
members but to the country at
large.
need not recount that the
world is passing through O
great depression fraught with
gruelling daily emergencies,
alike to men and to. govern
mentS.
OutgrOwth Of War
This depression today shows
largely from Europe through
the fundamental disIOcatiOns Of
economic and political forces
caused by the great war, in
which your services brought
k'OOdShed to an end and gave
hope Of reconstruction to the
world.
Our economic strength is
such that we would have re.
covered long since, but for
these forces from abroad. Re-
covery of the world now rests
and awaits in no small degree
upon our country, the United
States of America.
Some individuals may have
lost their nerve and faith, but
the real American people are
digging themselves out with
industry and courage.
We have the self-containment
the resources. the manhood. the
intelligence, end by united ac-
tion we will lead the world in
recovery.
Stake in The Future
The American Legion, born
Of world emergency, wieldS a
great influence throughout our
country because it speaks for a
generation which has proved
its citizenship by offering its all
to this country.
You of the legion have a
peculiarly sacred stake in the
future of the country which
you fought to preserve.
You have proved your devo-
ton in camp and battle. You
have built up your organization
to serve in peace, as well as
in war.
You are aware that during
the past year our national ex-
penditures have exceeded our
income. Today the National
Government is faced with an
other large deficit in its budget.
There is a decrease in the
annual yield OF income taxes
alone from $2,400,000,000, in
the years Of prosperity, to only
$1,2OO.00O,0OO today.
Economies Ordered
simultaneously, we are carry
ing a high and necessary extra
burden of public works in aid
to the unemployed, aids to
agriculture and increased bene-
fits and services to veterans.
In these circumstances, am
directing the most drastic
economy in every nOnvital
branch of government, yet the
essential services must be main
tanned.
These, obviously, include con-
tinued provision for our dis
abled veterans and the continu-
alton of our present programs
of work for the unemployed
and aids to agriculture.
Whatever the argu m n s
made, do not be miSIed by those
who say that we need only to
tax the rich to secure the funds
we need.
We must face the absolute
fact that the rich can be taxed
to the point of diminishing re-
turns and still the deficit in
our 'inary and necessary
expenditures would not be COW
ever, even upon the basis IF the
utmost economy.
WOrkingmen to Pay
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 burden for
every added cent to our ex-
penditureS.
Whatever the deficit may be
and in whatever manner it may
be met, every additional ex-
penditure placed upon our Gov
ernment in this emergency mag
nifies itself out OF all proper
ton into intolerable preSSureS,
whether it Is by taxation or by
loans.
Either loans or taxes beyond
the very minimum necessities
of government will drain the re-
sources of industry and COM
merce and in turn will increase
unemployment.
Can Garry No More
Such action can easily defeat