The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-10-05
BY JOSEPH +. HEARST
United Press STAFF Correspondent

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BIRMINGHAM, Mich, Oct. s.
The nations wealthy, particularly
those industrialists whose employees
are out Of work and facing months
Of privation and need, must come
forward with immediate aid, or
conditions this winter will DE far
worse than a year ago, Senator
James Couzens believes.
Couzens, wealthiest member OF
the senate, has set an example for
other men of means by pledging
$1,000, 900 to the Detroit relief fund
on the condition 50, 600 900 be raised
through subscription.
L am not much in Detroit, but I
know the suffering that is going on
there. and l realize it is going TO
be greater than ever this winter.
None Of the thousands out OF work
there has any moral claim on me
for aid, because I am out of in
dustry, but there are others in De-
troit, and in every big city to whom
they may look for aid.
Should Take Stock
There are employers who should
take stock of their obligations to the
men they once employed, and
through whose skill and labor they
probably acquired their wealth"
Couzens said the government
could not pay a dole without a con-
stitutional amendment, but that it
could pass legislation to aid the
states in relief work, possibly
through a dollar-matching program.
But so far, the state govern
ments, with the exception Of New
York, have done nothing. No spe-
ciaI sessions of the legislature have
been called to map out ways and
means of meeting this crisis, and
unless individual men of wealth
step forward 1 see no solution for
the problem.
Claims Issue Ignored
It lear the men in power have
decided on a policy OF 'muddlln
through. They seem content to
stand by, whistle to keep up their
courage, and await the lifting OF
the depression. Then they will say:
See, we came through in fine shape,
and without having to resort to
n of those fanatical schemes Of
fered for relief
But they won't take into consid-
Grafton the million or so whose
deaths may have been fastened by
lack of proper food, exposure In
cold rooms and need Of warm
clothes" he charged. And what
of the needy children of today?
Undernourished, sickly and i'll. Into
what sort of young men and women
will they develop? Our public health
service N Washington has stated
that reduced ratiols have improved
health generally. Perhaps this is
true of adults, but it surely isn't of
children. and of babies nursed by
ill-fed mothers. There is more to
this question than dollars. 1t is
a matter of humanitarianism."
Boon to the Rich
The depression has, in a manner,
been a boon to the rich, the senator
said. The expression 1.-THE rich get
richer and the poor get poorer is
a truism and not a demogogic
statement, he declared.
THE dollar today is worth more
than formerly, and because it will
buy more, wage cuts are ordered.
But these same owners who cut
wages collect debts at the face value
for which they we're contracted,
thus making additional gains"
Couzens suggested a broadening
of the tax base and a return of the
gift tax as means of raising funds
to aid in relief work. Certain
commodities also might be taxed as
is tobacco, and an increase in the
income tax also would aid. he said.