Evening star., 1931-12-08

nave given a magnificent display of
unity and action, initiative and pa
triotism in solving a multitude of
oifncuities and In cooperating with
the Federal Government.
FOR a proper understanding of my
recommendation to the Congress
1t is desirable very briefly to review
sucn activities during the past wear.
Inc emergencies of unemployment
nave peen met by action in many
directions The appropriations for
the continued speeding up of the
great Feoeral construction program
nave prov -ded direct and indirect aid
10 employment upon large scale.
ny organ tzed unity OF acton, the
states ana municipalities have also
maintained large programs of pub
lc Improvement. Many industries
nave peen prevailed upon to antici-
pate and intensity construction. IN
ousIrlu concerns and other en-
ployerS nave been organized to
spread available work among all
thelr employees, instead of discharg-
ing poftlon OF them. A large ma
lority nave maintained wages at as
high levels as the safe conduct of
their business would permit ,rhis
course has saved us from industrial
conflict and disorder which have
characterized all previous depres-
sionS Immigration has been cur
tailed by administrative action. Upon
the basis OF normal immigration the
decrease amounts to about 300 600
individuals who otherwise would
nave been added to our unemploy-
ment. The expansion of Federal en-
pioyment agencies under appropria-
tions by the Congress has proved
most effective. Through the Presi-
dents organization for unemploy-
ment relief, public and private
agencies were successfully mobiIized
last Winter to provide employment
and other measures against distress.
similar organization gives assurance
against suffering during the COM
Ing Winter. Committees of lead
Ing citizens are now active at
practically every point of unem-
pioyment. In the large ma ior-
1y they have been assured the
funds necessary, which together with
local government aids, will meet the
situation. A few exceptional locali-
Ties will be further organized. The
evidence OF the Public Health Sery-
Ice shows an actual decrease Of sick
ness and infant and general NOR
tsllty below normal years No greater
proof could be adduced that our
people have been protected from
hunger and cold and that the sense
OF social responsibility In the Nation
has responded to the need of the
unfortunate.
To meet the emergencies In agri-
culture the loans authorized by
Congress for rehabilitation In the
drought areas have enabled farmers
to produce abundant crops in those
districts. The Red Gross undertook
and magnificently administered re-
lief for over 2,500.000 drought suf-
ferers last Winter. It has under
taken this year to administer relief
to 100000 sufferers In the new
drought area Of certain Northwest
States. The action of the Federal
Farm Board in granting credits to
larm co-operatrves saved many of
them from bankruptcy and increased
their purpose and strength. BY en-
aoling farm co-operatives to cush-
Ion the fan In prices OF farm prod
ucts In 1890 and 1881 the board Sc
cured higher prices to the farmer
than would have been obtained
otherwise, although the dement's of
this action were partially defeated
by continued world overproduction.
Incident to this action the failure of
large number of farmers and of
country banks was ayerted which
could quite possibly have spread into
major disaster. The banks In the
South have co-operated with the
Farm Board in creation of q pool
Tor the better marketing of accu-
mulated cotton. Growers have been
materially assisted by this action.
Constant effort has been made to
reduce overproductiop in relief of
agriculture and to pebmote the for
eign buying of agricultural products
by sustaining economic stability
abroad
To meet our domestic emergen-
cies In credit and banking arising
, from the reaction to acute crises
abroad the National Credit Associa-
ton was set up by the banks with
resources Of 100000 900 to support
sound banks against the frightened
Withdrawals and boarding. It is
giving aid to reopen solvent banks
which have been closed. Federal Of
f1cials have brought about many
beneficial unions of banks and have
employed other means which have
prevented many bank closings. AS
q result of these measures the hoard
Ing Withdrawals which had risen to
over $3.50 600 900 per week after the
British crisis have substantially
ceased.
Further
Measures.
The major economic forces and
weaknesses at home and abroad have
now been exposed and can be ap-
praised, and the time is ripe for
forward action to expedite our re-
covery.
Although some Of the causes of
our depression are due to specula-
tlon, mratlon OF securities and real
estate, unsound foreign investments,
and miSma np pemapt ~ R,o,notaI A.,