The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-25
PORK CRY BY
HOOVER BRINGS
WAGNER FIRE
Criticism of Senate Relief
Bill Is Unjustified,
He Says.
WRONG, LATE, FUTILEY
That Is Hoover'S Record in
Depression, Asserts
New Yorker.
By United Press

By United Press
WASHINGTON, June 25.-Sena-
tor Robert Wagner Dem, N. "
today vigorously defended the SEN
ate unemployment relief bill, ano
branded President Hoover's criticism
of it as absolutely unfounded."
He declared to the senate that
Mr.. Hoover again was defying the
light and truth, obstinately resisting
the persuasion of face and logic, and
contributing to the despair, which
is all too prevalent"
Wagner is the author of the ST.
S00,000000 senate relief program.
He spoke shortly after he and
other senate and house conferees
had concluded their first session on
the work Of whipping the bill into
final form, and adjusting it with
the Garner program passed by the
house.
His speech was in reply to Friday
statement in which Mr.. Hoover de-
clared the senate bills $500,000,000
public works bond issue provision
was pork barrel legislation which
would nullify all efforts to balance
the federal budget and would create
''direct employment" for only 1O0,-
900 men.
Denies Peril to Budget
Wagner denied the bond issue
would unbalance the budget.
ION the contrary" he said, sit
helps to balance it and to reduce
the very heavy burden of current
taxation by cancelling appropriations
for about $175,O00,000 for permanent
improvements.
Noting that Mr.. Hoover approved
the proposal to expand the recon-
struction corporations borrowing
power by $1,500,00O,O0O to finance
self-liquidating public and private
construction, Wagner declared the
bond issue would no more unbal-
ance the budget than would the de-
bentures of the reconstruction
finance corporation, since both,
alike, depend for their value upon
the national credit and both alike
represent not expenditure OF in
come but investment of capital"
To Mr.. Hoover's charge that the
public works program was waste
full" the senator replied that it was
"the essence of prudent economy"
ut is sound economy to build that
which we need when costs are low,
and costs are indeed low today" he
said. 1T is sound economy to put
men to work instead Of maintain
ing them in idleness."
Work for 100000 Men
Wagner said "it is conservatively
estimated" on the basis of expert
analysis that the proposed public
works would provide jobs for at
least 100000 men for full year,
instead of the 100000 figure set by
Mr. Hoover.
He accused Mr.. Hoover of pur-
posely neglecting to take into &C
count the thousands who would be
employed in making and transport
ing the materials for the projects.
The senator said Mr.. Hoover
throughout the depression has been
wrong, late and futile" He noted
that the President was claiming
credit for the proposal expansion of
the Reconstruction Finance Corpor-
alton, which was urged in the SEN
ate some time before it was eSpouSed
by the White House.
The Presidents statement was in
terpreted widely in congress as in
dicating he will veto the relief meas
ure if the bond issue is retained.
Six administration senators ex-
pressed the definite opinion that he
would do so.
After the bill is approved in final
form, congress undoubtedly will re-
main in session to wait for Mr..
Hoover either to sign or veto 1t.
If he vetoes it and efforts to
override the veto fail, modified bill
probably will be passed.
Leaders of both parties promise
enactment of some form Of relief
before congress goes home.