Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-12
NORRIS SEES NEED
OF TRUST BUSTER
At NATIONS HELM
Power Attack Links Present
Administration With That
Industry.
"ANOTHER ROOSEVELT"
TAKEN TO MEAN 1T. r."
Agency to Plan National Economic
Policy Proposed at Progress
sives' Farley.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

BY u, GOULD LANCOLN,
I'VE need another Roosevelt in the
White House." said Senator Norris OF
Nebraska In a vigorous speech attack
ing the power trusts and linking the
present administration with that trust
at the afternoon session of the Pro-
greSsive Conference at the Mayfiower
Hotel.
Senator Norris did not say he had
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor OF
New York, In mind when he made his
statement He obviously was referring
to the late Theodore Roosevelt, who
headed the Progressive party in the
1912 national campaign. Nevertheless
Gov. Roosevelt was one of those IN
yited to attend the Progressive Confer
ence here and he has been highly
praised by Senator Norris and other
members Of the Progressive group for
his stand on the water power problem.
Says Progressive Is Needed.
Senator Norris said that it was i'm
perative that ProgresSives be elected to
the Senate and the House. He pointed
out that the Progressive group would
ing Congress.
But your engineer he said, referring
to President Hoover, will still be in the
White House. What the country must
have Is President who is himself pro-
gressive. We need another Roosevelt
in the White House
The Nebraska Senator said it would
be impossible to establish a third polit-
ieal party at this time because Of the
political system which prevails.
Economic Agency Proposed.
Establishment by Congress of a pub
lie agency to, work out a national
economic policy" was proposed by
George e. Soule of the Labor Bureau of
New York City and associate editor Of
the New Republic.
A similar proposal was advanced also
by Leo Wolman, an employment ex-
part, connected with the National Bu-
reau of Economic Research. In the
opinion of both Mr. Soule and Mr..
Wolman, individual attempts by indus
try TO solve the problem now confront
ing the country and its industries will
not sufdce. Congress they held, must
have the cooperation of Representatives
OF industry and labor If a sound eco
nomic policy is to be worked cut for
the country.
The suggestions for the creation OF an
economic general stan" and national
industrial council" came at session Of
the Progressive Conference presided over
by Senator Robert M. La Toilette, jr.,
Progressive Republican of wisconsin,
when the subject UP for consideration
was unemployment and sterilization Of
industry"
Sees Added Responsibility.
Senator La Toilette in opening the
meeting declared there had been a COM
plete breakdown in this country of "il-
dugtrial financial and political leader
ship" He said that for IL months the
country has experienced "the worst eco
nomic disaster in its history" He de-
MED that the "dislocation Of our ma
tional life" had been caused by over
production. and urged the ProgreSsives
to lay down sound program for re-
Mobilization.
The Wisconsin Senator called atten-
tion to the fact the Progressives In the
new Congress will hold the balance Of
power in both houses.
1T is not enough to criticize" said
Senator La Toilette. we must find
problem. Its magnitude, the human
values involved, present challenge to
the economic, political and industrial
leadership Of the Nation.
Holding the balance Of power in
Congress" he said, places an added
responsibility on us to press for sound
legislation upon the great issue con-
~.
that we may have the benefit Of your
advice and counsel in formulating such
a program that this round table on
UNEMPLOYMENT and industrial stabil-
1zation was organized. There are present
here experienced economists, labor lead
ers and business men who have studied
these problems"
Senator La Toilette said there was
Overwhelming evidence Of desperate
human suffering on the part of millions
of our fellow citizens" He said that
not less than 25,O00,000 people in the
United States have suffered hardship,
privation and want in the midst of
plenty"
Lacked viii or Courage.
"only a few days ago" continued
Senator La Toilette, Congress adj
journed without taking any action to
relieve the distress caused by unem-
ployment. The Federal Government
gave assistance only to those farmers in
the drought-stricken States who could
furnish adequate security.
The administration lacked either the
viii or the courage to meet this crisis
At first President Hoover minimized the
problem, and then when the facts
could no longer be denied he used the
influence Of his great once to block the
1C1AIA RANPND~A
and insisted that relief be left entirely
to voluntary assistance Nor had the
administration made effective prepare
ton to expand its public works IN ordel
TO provide employment. When Congress
finally met in December the admins
tration insisted upon limiting the emer'
gency public works program TO ar
amount which could not materially re-
duce the volume Of unemployment. Tit
leadership Of both parties was deter
mined 10 prevent an extra session Of
Congress, with the result that consider
alton Of legislation dealing with unem.
ployment is postponed for nine months
Industrial and financial leadership
likewise has been ineffective, for TIN
most part. During the past decade ]
has largely been concerned with TIT
problem Of expanding production. II
the present emergency most Of our bust
ness men have failed to assert leader
ship. Too many of those VINO hav'
spoken recommend mergers and wag
reductions as their remedies. Theil
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