The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-13
APPEALS SPUR
HOPE OF U. S.
HUNGER RELIEF
Flood of Pleas Wired by
Constituents May Sway
Senator's Vote.
ACTION AGAIN DELAYED
Hiram Johnson Demands
Aid, in Vigorous Speech
for Bill.
BY RUTH FINNEY

Times stan Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.-New
pleas for federal hunger relief
poured into Washington day from
al parts Of the country, as the
senate delayed until next week it's
final action on the La Toilette
Costigan bill
Closely following Governor Frank
An D. Roosevelt's hearty indorse-
ment, came telegram from Gov
ernor Erickson of Montana, SINH
larly urging that federal relief be
made available. Messages from
other officials, being received by
individual senator's, will be laid be-
fore the whole senate Monday.
This manifestation of interest on
the part Of the people at home is
gaining votes for the relief bill.
When it first was brought before
the senate two weeks ago, it had
only a few votes definitely pledged
to its support. On Friday, Senator
Hiram w. Johnson predicted that
1t would be passed.
Labor Head Refutes Claims
At almost the same time Repre-
Sentative John j. O'Connor of New
York was demanding on the floor of
the house that the Democratic ma
Jortty proceed at once to conSidera-
ton Of hunger relief bill without
waiting for action of the senate.
A little earlier, Thomas F.. Nc
Mahon, president of the United
Textile Workers of America, who
lives in Providence, R. l., was re-
futing statements made by Senator
Felix Hebert to the effect that
Rhode Island is caring adequately
for its own people
Mcmahon, testifying before the
house labor committee, which has
before it a companion to the La
Follette-Costigan bill, said condi-
ton among New England textile
workers are frightful, and told of
one family he found sitting down
to a supper of five glasses of water
and a piece of dry bread.
Labor joined with industry to
get protective tariff, on the pledge
that wages would not be reduced"
Mcmahon said. THE pledge not
only was broken; it was smashed"
Johnson Urges Passage
From the Republican side of the
senate chamber came a stirring plea
for passage of the relief bill just
before adjournment Friday. 1t was
made by Senator Hiram w. john
son.
This battle is part of the ire
concilable conflict between two phi
losophies of government" said
johnson.
"One philosophy believes in deal
ing first with the people at the top,
granting their every whispered re-
quest, and forgetting. the people at
the bottom. The other holds that
government consists of all the peo-
pie of the United States, and that
where relief may be granted to one
class, it may be granted the others,
also.
so far, all legislation passed to
deal with the depression has begun
at the top Now, finally we've come
down to the bottom, to those who
are inarticulate and unable to help
themselves, who have no power to
arouse in us a Servile desire for
haste in helping them. But they
are human beings. like you and me.
We nave justified every sort of
dipping into the treasury except
dipping in for human beings. viii
you recognize the need for helping
business, and deny it when it comes
to human beings?
Makes Eloquent Plea
In the Republican party phil
osophy has prevailed that we never
must take the government into bust
ness, that individualism shall con-
trail alone. Today those who believe
this find their own necromancy has
its fallible moments"
After paying his respects to oper-
atoms Of the farm board, and call
Ing the moratorium "a dud which
aided no one except bankers with
short term credits" johnson read
an article from the Magazine of
Wall Street, describing the irony
of big business seeking government
tai management" and pointing out
that the reconstruction finance cor
poration and other depression meas
ureS ARE SocialiStic."
Quoting Herbert Hoover's appeal
to congress for funds for European
children, Johnson added he was
eternally right then. but he was
speaking of children beyond the
seas. Why are children of Ameri-
ca denied the rights accorded chill
dren of Europe? This is an Ameri-
can question. involving American
children and American men and
women.
For the love of God and the sake
OF common humanity, let us, for
once in this administration. be