Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-29
The Two Governors.

The Governors of two great States
have outlined their plans for dealing
with the unemployment crisis this Win
ter. 1t is interesting to compare the
plan of Democratic Gov. Franklin D.
Roosevelt of New York with the plan
of Progressive Gov. Clifford Pinchot of
Pennsylvania.
Gov. Roosevelt, addressing the Legis-
lature. declares that lit is idle for us to
speculate upon actions which may be
taken by the Federal Government, just
as it is for the purpose for which We
are here gathered TO speculate about
the causes of national depression. 1t is
true that times may get better: it is
true that the Federal Government may
take action to eradicate some Of the
basic causes of our present troubles: it
is true that the Federal Government
may come forward with a definite con-
struction program on q truly large
scale; it Is true that the Federal Gov
eminent may adopt q well thought out,
concrete policy that will start the
wheels Of industry moving and give the
farmer at least the cost of making his
crop. The State of New York cannot
wait for that. I face and you face and
thirteen million people face the problem
OF providing immediate relief"
And to provide that relief the Gov
ernor asks the Legislature to increase,
by nifty per cent, the State tax on per-
sonal incomes, to yield an estimated
total of $50. o0o. 900. this sum to be ap-
piled by the State, under q Governor
commission, serving without pay, to
supplement the relief funds raised by
the separate communities.
Gov. Pinchot's plan, If It can be
called a plan, is for the President to
extra session Of Congress, presumably.
would do for the Nation and for Penn
sylvania what the New York Legisla-
ture would do for the State of New
York. Pennsylvania. GOV. Pinchot says,
has done all that it can do. The Fed
eral Government must do the rest.
Which OF the plans is the most prae-
teal? Which plan promises more
actual relief? Which plan guarantees
most in the preservation Of the rights
and responsibilities Of the States, a
policy Of which Gov. Pinchot is such
an agowed champion7 Which Of the
plans requires the greater courage or
the part of the Governors2
Gov. Roosevelt has chosen the diff
cult path. 1t is no idle political ges-
ture to advocate nifty per cent in
crease In income taxes. The role Of a
prophet Of evil Is not popular ore.
1t would be far easier to lambaste the
President. and to picture the calamitieo
Of unemployment as a mess for which
he is responsible and which he must
cure by summoning into extraordinary
session the Congress Of the United
States.
But when the States and the COM
nnunities as . whole follow the ex-
&. ample set by Roosevelt, and many of
them have even anticipated it, the
Federal Government win at least be
free to adopt some Of those steps that
the Governor of New York. with his
tongue in his cheek, suggests as If
and when" possibilities
Gov. Roosevelt disclanns the adop-
ton, for the State OF New York. Of
the dole" and while there are many
who viii reach for a magnifying glass
in an attempt to discern the difference
between what he advocates and State
dole his own explanation is simple
enough. The State funds are to be
used, not TO supplant, but to supple
rnent funds raised by the various
communities. and in all cases State
funds are to be devoted TO supplying
work for the unemployed. When such
work IS impossible the money viii be
used, under careful supervision, for
the purchase OF clothing, food and the
provision Of shelter for the helpless
There is 10 be no cash grant. There is
no conmittal. by the State. to a pro-
gram that will encourage dependence
upon the charity of the State. This
Is an emergency, and it is frankly
and specifically dealt with as such.