The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-12-07
HOOVER'S MESSAGE

The Hoover message is the kind of message in
herent in a system that presumes the impossible;
namely, leadership from a President who has been
defeated at the polls.
1t is the kind of message that lame duck sessions
produce. 1t is more important for what it leaves
unsaid than for what it says. It's tone is natural
under the circumstances, for the President knows
and congress knows that leadership has passed to
new hands.
Therefore, the President who has been defeated
merely marks time and goes through the motions.
The message, like the repeal vote Of the day be-
fore, adds to the thankfulness every citizen must
feel that ratification of the lame duck amendment
will be accomplished soon.
Under the circumstances, congress must go far
beyond the recommendations of this executive mes
sage if it is to meet any of the immediate problems
which depress the nation. That is to expect much
from a lame duck congress.
But, since the Democrats who are to take over
the capitol and White House next March already
have actual control of this house, and virtual control
of this senate, the possibility at least of congressional
leadership and action is not lacking.
AS to immediate major issues, Mr.. Hoover in his
message fails to deal with many and proposes half
way measures for the others.
He presents no idea of the need for additional
federal unemployment relief and revival of business
through such productive measures as housing, slum
abatement, and reforestation; for national economic
planning, unemployment insurance, and shorter work
periods.
He limits basic economic reform to vague tinker
ing with the discredited banking system, and offers
no plan for reorganization of c~ollapsing major in
d~ustries, such as agriculture, coal, and transporta-
ton.
Prohibition is not even mentioned by the Presi-
dent. Instead of the beer tax, for which the nation
last month gave a specific mandate, and which
therefore should go ahead of any further excise tax
alton, he proposes a blanket sales tax.
The loss of our civil liberties, second in impor-
lance only to the loss of economic liberties by the
unemployed and the mortgage-ridden is another
subject not even mentioned by the President.
On the issue of economy and budget balancing.
the President still is afflicted by those limitations
which have enabled him to talk much and do little
about this problem during the last three years.
Apart from minor savings, he has only two pro-
posals. He would save only about one-quarter of
the savings generally demanded in veteran expendi-
lures for nonservice connected disabilities.
His chief economy would be through drastic re-
duction of the federal building program-the main
purpose Of which is unemployment relief and orders
for industry. This, obviously, is an economy which
would defeat itself by increasing unemployment.
both in building and supply industries.
Apparently he does not mean to achieve larger
economies in the huge army-navy appropriations,
which means that this year, as last year, the Hoover
plan can not possibly balance the budget.
In the foreign field he speaks vaguely of Coop
Grafton with other governments and the necessity
OF world peace, disarmament and economic read
Justment, but without advancing any disarmament
proposal, without calling for a congressional war
debt commission-which he may do later-and with
out mentioning maintenance of far eastern treaties.
Russian recognition or the disastrous tariff war.
Leadership has passed to the Democrats. Now.
more than ever, the fate of the nation is in their
hands.