The Bismarck tribune., 1931-12-08

talneQ large programs OF puDllc I'M
provement. Many industries have
been prevailed upon to anticipate and
intensity construction. Industrial
concerns and other employers have
been organized to spread available
work amongst all their employees,
instead of discharging a portion of
them. A large majority have main
tained wages at as high levels as the
safe conduct of their business would
permit. This course has saved us
from industrial conflict and disorder
which have characterized all previous
Gepressions. Immigration has been
curtailed by administrative action.
Upon the basis of normal immigra-
ton the decrease amounts to about
100000 individuals who otherwise
would have been added to our unem-
ployment. The expansion Of federal
employment agencies under appro-
priations by the congress has proved
most effective.
Employment Provided
Through the presidents organiza-
tion for unemployment relief, public
and private agencies were successfully
mobilized last winter to provide en-
ployment and other measures against
distress. Similar organization gives
assurance against suffering during
the coming winter. Committees Of
leading citizens are now active at
practically every point of unemploy-
ment. In the large majority they
have been assured the funds neceS-
sary which, together with local gov
ernment aids, will meet the situation.
A few exceptional localities will be
further organized. The evidence Of
the public health service shows an
actual decrease of sickness and infant
and general mortality below normal
years. No greater proof could be ad-
| duced that our people have been pro-
tected 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 emergency In agricul-
ture, the loans authorized by congress
for rehabilitation in the drought
areas have enabled farmers to pro-
duce abundant crops in those dis
tricts. The Red Cross undertook and
magnificently administered relief fol
over 2,500,000 drought sufferers last
winter. It has undertaken this year
to administer relief to 100000 suf-
ferers in the new drought area o1
certain northwest states. The actor
of the federal farm board in grant
ing credits to the farm cooperatives
saved many Of them from bankruptcy
and increased their purpose anc
strength. BY enabling farm coopera.
tives to cushion the fall In price;
of farm products in 1880 and 1881
the board secured higher prices te
the farmer than would have beer
obtained otherwise, although the
benefits of this action were partially
defeated by continued world over.
production. Incident to this actor
the failure of large number O
farmers and of country banks wa.
averted which could quite possibly
have spread into major disaster.
| Southern Banks Cooperate
The banks in the south have co.
operated with the farm board IL
creation of pool for the better mar.
keting of accumulated cotton. Grow.
ers have been materially assisted BY
this action. Constant effort has beer
made to reduce over-production II
relief of agriculture and to promot,
the foreign buying of agriculture
products by sustaining economic sta
bility abroad.
To meet our domestic emergencies
in credit and banking arising from
the reaction to acute crises abroal
the National Credit association wa
set up by the banks with resource
of $500, 100000 to support SCUM,
banks against the frightened with
drawals and boarding. It is givin,
aid to reopen solvent banks whjcl
have been closed. Federal official
have brought about many beneficial
unions of banks and have employees
other means which have prevente
many banks closing. AS result o
these measures the boarding with
drawals which had risen to over $3.50,
100000 per week after the Britisl
crisis have substantially ceased.
FURTHER MEASURES
That major economic forces an
weaknesses at home and abroad hav
now been exposed and can be ap
praised, and the time Is ripe for for
ward action to expedite our recover.
Although some of the causes c
! our depression are due to specula
tion. initiation of securities and res
estate, unsound foreign investment
and mismanagement of financial in
, Stitutions. yet our self-contained ma
! tional economy, with its matches
, strength and resources, would hav
, enabled lis to recover long since bl
! for the continued dislocations, shock
; and sctbaCkS from abroad.