The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-09
A Great Speech


al Smith has done it again With his speech
demanding federal relief for the unemployed and
for business revival, Smith has stepped far out in
front Of most of the political and business leaders
Of the country.
He has taken the relief and reconstruction program
Of the La Toilette Costigsn Progressive minority and
put it squarely before the tmorous Democratic poll
tcians And by putting it up to the Democratic
political machine in congress, he also has put the
Hoover do-nothing policy on the spot.
Speaking at the Jackson day dinner in Washing
ton-which traditonaly opens the presidential cam
paign of his party-Smith thrust into general baly
hoo affair the sober and crusadng spirit Of leader
determined to bring relief to his suffering country.
AS he rose to address a meeting crowded with his
party opponents, he expected to dwell chiefly
on prohibition. His opponents long had accused him
of trying to make prohibition the major issue, to the
neglect of economic issues But his remarks on the
folly of prohibition brief as they we're ef-
fective. The same was true of his description OF
the bankruptcy Of Republican administration leader
ship.
He was not there to talk party politics He was
there to talk human misery and the way out
He proceeded to declare this war-like emergency
in which the federal government must carry tne
load which has become too heavy for exhausted prl-
vate and local agencies alone. He appealed for an
100000 unemployed and their hungry families but
to save the whole business structure which can be
revived by this new purchasing power OF the masses
We ask all our readers-not as Democrats, or Re-
pubicans or Progressves but as Anericans-to study
Smiths discussion of unemployment and business re-
lief It is not cure-a. But it does point the way
Until congress enacts some relief program of this
type-now before it in the form of the La Toilette
bfs-there is little chance of breaking the back OF
the depression
Smiths statement of the case is based on the
facts-facts that been investigated and vouched
for by the long list of charity workers. relief experts
and economists, who have appeared at Inc Id rolel0
committee hearings.
Here are the Smith highlights:
81 am in complete sympathy with all constructive
and workable plans for international adjustments
and expansion of credit but these not be worked
out in time TO solve the immediate problem OF I'M
employment.
oyyith respect to the third unemployment relief,
the federal government plan is to pass 1t along TO
the states their localities and TO private charltes
AS to this problem, I consider the attitude OF Vhe
administration to be indefensible, inasmuch as 1t
already has been proved that the states, localtles
and private charities can not cope with it, Cities
and localities have exceeded their DEBT limit anu
face constantly decreasing revenues.
"I have served on all the New York; committees
so far brought into existence, whether public or
private for the relief of this situation and I am
prepared to state definitely that, Notwithstanding
an Appropriation of $10000000 by the city of New
York, 100000 by the state of New York, and
S2OO0O0OO more by private gift for our citizenship,
we are able only to scratch the surface in New
York City, and only for a short time at that.
1--WE are a long way from bringing any full
measure of relief I am informed reliably that this
condition prevails throughout the United States The
direct results of this (presenG form of relief are
two One is to extend charity to people IN their
homes and the other to provide work of no last
ing benefit to the taxpayers whose money is ap-
propriated 1t is nothing or less than DIS
guised dole.
''We absolutely must forget politics and we must
regard the United States to be in state OF war
II is war against unemployment, disease and NAL
nutrition.
"I suggest, first, an issue of federal bonds Tor
necessary public improvements distinguished from
so-called made work. believe they should be
offered direct to the American public exactly as the
liberty bonds were offered, through an appeal to
their patriotsm . (That) will loosen up the hoard
ed money it will restore purchasing power that
will be beneficial to business commerce, and indus
try all along the line.
"Foowing the bond issue, congress should bestow
unop the President plenary power for appointment
If federal administrator OF public works and cothe
him with the power and authority to cut, slash and
statute laws of the country which retards the progress
of public works.
This is the way out