The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-21


 You are aware that during the past year our national expenditures have deceeded our income. To day the national government has a de- crease in the annual yielr of in- come taxes alone from $2,400,000,- % Oin the years of prosperity to only 0,000,000 today.
 Bonus Added Burden
 Simultaneously we are carrying a high and necessary extra burden Of public works in aid to the un- employed, of aids to agriculture and of increased benefits and ser vices to veterans. In these cir cumstances I am directing the most drastic economy in every non vital branch of government, yet the essential services must sbe maintained. Those obviously, in- clude continued provisions for our disabled veterans and the continu- alton of our present programs of work for the unemployed misled 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 diminish ing returns, and still the deficit in our ordinary and necessary expen- ditures would not be covered even upon basis of the utmost econ- omy. Make no mistake; in these circumstances 1t 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 expenditures.
 Present Load Enough
 Whatever the deficit may be and in whatever manner it may ultimately be met, every addition al expenditure placed upon our government in this emergency magnifies itself out of all propor- tion into intolerable pressures, whether it is by taxation or by loans. Either loans or taxes be- yond the very minimum necessities of government will drain the re- sources of industry and commerce and in turn will increase unem- ployment. 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 to prosperity and employment. We can carry our present expenditures without jeo- pardy to national stability. We can carry no more without grave risks.
 Avoid Increased Expenditures
 "The imperative moment has come when increase in government expenditures must be avoided, whether it be ill-considered, nasty or uninformed legislation of any kind, or whether it be for new ser- vices meritorious in themselves. Any alternative will strike down the earnest efforts of the citiZenry of our nation to start us back up- on the economic paths to which we must return if we and our chill dren are to have the destiny which everyone has the right to hope and the heart to give to them.
 Opposes Full Cash Bonus During the past week your na- tional commander the members of the legion's employment committee | came to me and offered to the na- | ton the combined strength of your million men and your ten thousand posts to help in relief over the win ter. hereen accept that offer with the thanks of the nation in the fine | spirit in which 1t was submitted. But there is today an even greater service to our country. That Is the determined opposition by you to additional demands upon the na- tion until we have won this war | against world depression. I am not | speaking alone of veterans legisla- | tion which has been urged for ac- tion at this convention, But l am I I,t. nxr Af | every other project proposed in the | country which would require in- creased federal expenditure. It is an attitude and an action forward | in the whole field of government expenditures that it before us. The | first stone in the foundation of sta bility and recovery, both at home and in the world, Is the stability of the government of the United States. It is my purpose to main l tain that stability, and l invite you l to enlist in that fight. I invite you to study the delation of other gov | ernmental finance to the daily wei | fare and security of every man, Wo- man and child in the history of Flu rope during the past six months | alone. It is for us to observe these | lessons and to be helpful but our first duty Is to the people of the i United States. Nothing would give greater glow of confidence to our country today than your enlistment and the vigorous support you can bring to this effort to prevent ad- l ditional burden on the government ] from any quarter whatsoever. ; Praises Legion
 You would not have the presi- dent of the United states plead
 with any citizen or any group or 1 citizens for any course of action. l
 make no plea to you. But you would
 have your president point out the
 path of service In this nation.
 That I am doing now. My mind
 goes back to the days of the war
 where you and I served in our ap-
 pointed tasks. At the end of those years of heart sickness over the | misery of all, when the peace came.
 you and I knew that the wounds
 were unhealed and that there
 would be further emergencies still | before our country and the world when self-denial and courageous service must be given. Your or | ganization was born at that time and dedicated to that service by tho l very preamble to it's constitution. NO man can doubt the character and idealism of men who have come into the trenches in defens" Of their country. I have that faith. This is an emergency snd ehese are the times for service to which we must put Siil heart and pur- pose to help and not retard the return of the happy days we know are ahead of your country an. mine
 with the guidance Of Almighty God. with tho same faith. courage and self sacrifice which you. hac' cd by the nation. won victory i4 years ago. SO shall we win victors toe day"