The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-11-15
NO CITY DARES
FAIL ITS NEEDY
WARNS BAKER
U. S. Must Rise to Supreme
Demand, He Tells Fund
Workers Here.

Picturing the depression as an
"undramatic catastrophe" Newton
D. Baker, former secretary of war
and now chairman of the national
relief movement, hurled a challenge
to the entire country Monday night
in his address in Cadle tabernacle
to open the annual campaign of
the Indianapolis Community Fund.
1--WE are facing a national crisis
of profound depth and meaning in
the life of our nation which will
require courage to meet" Baker
said. Il have seen America meet
a supreme demand. In 1917 we
modified to go to war. In a Spon-
taneous, winning spirit each of us
forgot ourselves as We united for
action.
To-day we need the same spirit
to meet an undramatic catastrophe
and again we must unite as an army
to save the country"
Address Is Broadcast
Although addressing particularly
a large crowd Of local fund workers
and citizens, his speech, in which he
declared that "the United States at
the present moment faces the most
serious test of a civilized nation"
was broadcast to other cities.
With his words still ringing in
their ears, 5000 volunteer work.
ers today started their solicitations
to raise $1,O52,OOO for relief in In
dianapolis. First reports will be re-
ceived at noon Wednesday at the
Claypool.
mo community dares to say that
it failed at the task in which we
are now engaged" Baker declared.
1--WE are living here, working here,
and we intend to raise our children
and grandchildren here. We must
make this a place where they can
grow strong.
Big Values at Stake
Gwen in doing our best we will
lose some priceless things. You have
here a beautiful city, with beautiful
buildings. Each of you would feel a
hurt if any one of these buildings
would be destroyed, but what would
it matter?
"Stone masons could replace
them. But who can replace the
characters of children if they be-
come hard and hopeless? 1t is these
values that are at stake while they
live in an atmosphere of depression
and dependency"
Baker reviewed briefly the war
time period during which he served
in the cabinet of President Wood
row Wilson and told how the coun-
try responded jubiliantly to the de-
mand for sacrifice.
WAR, or a flood or earthquake,
are dramatic cataStrophes to which
we respond willingly" Baker said.
when appeals for aid are voiced in
such cases. we are jealous inmed-
lately. We clamor for a share in
making sacrifices.
We Can Not Realize
But only the most civilized ma
tionS can respond 20 the undra-
matte. There is no doubt that there
is want and deprivation abroad in
the land of the most serious pro-
portions. Because our thinking has
been only in dramatic pictures, per-
hapS we can not realize immediate
ly the task facing u.s."
The previous period of prosperity
in which it was thought that the
country had abolished poverty
through the workings of a nation
wide money making machine Gre
ated feeling that the United
States had been fortunate in escap-
ing major catastrophies, Baker said.
Suddenly out of the blue comes
the depression and 100000 men
arae out of work, affecting people
who never before had to admit
want" Baker declared.
Miracle of Miracles"
There are from 100000 to SOC. 600
young men wandering around the
country, learning from criminals how
to exist under present conditions"
A loud round of applause followed
Bakers ringing declaration that it
is "the miracle of miracles, testify
ing to the solidity of American peo-
pie and their training, that under
these conditions, crime among the
young has not increased"
Steps taken in other parts of the
country in the interests of poor re-
lief were cited by Baker The state
of New York has taken a leading
role in the work, he said, setting a
goal of $15,OO0,OO0 for unemploy-
ment relief alone. The city of
Cleveland, Bakers home city, now is
engaged in drive for $4,5OO,O0o, he
said.
Approximately $780, 100000 has
been appropriated by the federal
government to supplement local aid
programs, Baker asserted, but
pointed out that federal and state
aid is inadequate and that addi-
tional funds from private sources
are necessary.
Arthur r. Baxter. general chair
man of the fund drive presided af