Evening star., 1932-09-04
AND TOMORROW.

duty of is per cent and Canada 35
per cent.
We have not been unmindful of the
need of keeping the foreign markets for
the products of American hands and
skill. The Bureau of Foreign and Do
mestic Commerce Of the Department of
Commerce has constantly assisted in
finding places abroad for our manu-
factures and soil products. The result
is that what we exported to other coun-
tries last year gave employment to
more than ], 100000 of our workers, who
received more than $1.500,000,000 in
wages. Furthermore, the Secretary of
Commerce in 1881 estimated that there
ployed in supplying the needs Of those
engaged directly in producing what we
exported.
Protect Workers Homes.
We have been trying not only to
protect jobs, but workers homes as
well. Relief activities have been so Or
ganiZed and co-ordinated that distress
has been held to minimum. The Fed
eral Government has established a fund
with which to supplement the re-
sources of States and cities. in alleviat-
ing want. Through creation Of the
home loan bank system, funds are be-
ing made available to local building
and loan associations and other organ
izations to prevent foreclosure on
available for building which will give
better housing and more employment.
As this is being written, study Is
going on of the possibility of spread
ing employment, by shorter working
hours and other means, to furnish en-
ployment to millions now out OF work.
AS I look over the whole field OF
labor conditions In America, I see an
advance but temporarily halted-and
with opportunity in sight to 60 for
ward again. gaining fresh ground for
the mass of workers in industry. In
recent years, because of overexpansion
of production during the war. our agrl-
cultural population, embracing A per
cent of the entire population dnciud-
ing the people in towns OF $500 ana
leSs) has had lower incomes than was
consistent with general prosperity. That
condition will not last; it will be RENE
died through wise governmental action
as well as natural forces now at work.
Already there is evidence OF increased
b,lying power in the rural districts.
That means increased employment:
The leaders of industry have Deen
brought to a realization that the saw
ings made possible through use OF in
geniouS machinery must be redls-
tributed either ir the form OF hlgner
wages or through shortened working
days and weeks They are coming to
a realization also of the vital necessity
of providing, either through wages or
corporate reserve funds, for the needs
of workers in times of slack" business:
They are realizing that the benefit OF
economies in production must be shared
by workers If markets are to be pre-
served and broadened for machine
made goods. They are realizing that
workers demand and have a right 10
security in their old age.
We know that workers needs and
desires will constantly expand, seek
ing new and higher levels OF living
convenience and comfort. We know
that more automobiles have been worn
out than have been replaced In the
last year or two. We know that OF 100
typical American homes, only 81 have
radio sets. and in the other 49 houses
live potential buyers of sets. We know
that the luxuries OF tocay, constantly
through the years Of our national eX-
istence. have become the necessities OF
tomorrow. We know that America still
has vast, untapped resources Of basic
materials, and a population vigorous
and alert, intelligent and eager to work
Under President Hoover's leadership,
the Government has adopted measures
that should stimulate business activi-
ties all along the line.
We know, from the past that the
moveme 1T of the mass of our people
is always forward; that We are never
satisfied with our living standard. but
always striving for something a little
better Our Nation has made greater
advancement for the masses Of its pop
ulation than any other in the world.
And so. looking forward from Labor
day, 1882, I see all the elements that
in reasonable time will produce higher
for 0iIr neonle