The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-19
UTILITY GOUGE
IS DENOUNCED
BY ROOSEVELT
Little Man Is Paying Too
Much, 5000 Told at
Northwest Rally.
PROPOSES U. S. CONTROL
New Yorker Dubious Over
Entry at This Time to
World Court.
b. United Press

81. PAUL, MIMI, April 1S.-GON-
ernor Franklin D. Roosevelt Of New
York today stood by his fight for
economic justice for the forgotten
man." but made it clear he favors
public policy that is true Ncon-
cert OF interests"
He replied before an audience of
5000 in the northwest'S largest po-
litical rally to yelled charges OF
demagogy made by his fellow con-
tender for the Democratic presiden-
tial nomination, former Governor
Alfred E. Smith.
II plead not for class control, but
for a true concert of interests, :"
Roosevelt said. 1.-TWO weeks ago,
said we were facing an emergency
today more grave than that of war,
This I repeat"
He quoted Benjamin Franklin.
Thomas Jefferson and his distant
relative, Theodore Roosevelt, as the
three Americans who are chiefly
outstanding for the universally of
their interest and of their knowl-
edge"
For Common Man
Each, he said, sympathized with
the problems of the common man.
Each believed one class should not
be set up against another,
1T is to this national community
of interest that we should dedicate
ourselves. If that be treason. make
the most of it," he said.
Governor Roosevelt revealed that
he feels the United States entry
in the League of Nations is at this
time "unrealizable
Roosevelt's address;
Attacked present public utility
capital structures and corporate de-
velopment.
Declared for strict government
control of utilities and government
operation in cases where satisfac-
tory conditions for private operation
could not be obtained.
Decried electricity rates to small
consumers as too high.
FavorS Waterways
Demanded construction of a
Great Lakes-to -the-seas waterway
with ultimate provision of outlets
via both the st. Lawrence and the
all-American route.
Asked scientific tariff policy
based on reciprocal exchange of
goods.
Il am pleading" said Roosevelt,
'for a policy broad enough to in
clude every part of our economic
structure. A policy that seeks to
help all simultaneously, that shows
an understanding of the fact there
are millions of our people who can
not be helped by merely helping en-
ployers because they are not en-
ployes-the farmers, the small bust
ness man, the professional people.
I'm much of our present plans
there is too much disposition to mis-
take the part for the whole, the
head for the body"
Potent in Four States
He devoted part of his speech to
a discussion of the st. Lawrence
waterways development. In the
northwest sentiment for the canal
ization of the lower ST. Lawrence
to give the area direct access to the
sea has been strong. The issue is
most potent politically in the four
states which sent delegations to the
dinner.
The New York executive said he
favored development of both the
st. Lawrence and the so-called all
American Seaway and said the most
important factor was not which
plan was started first. but actual
work on one of them.
A major portion of the Gov
ernor's address was concerned with
the public utility isue. Roosevelt
declared himself for strict regula-
ton and government operation in
cases where private interests re-
fused to operate on what seemed to
be a reasonable basis.
Should Step In
THE government itself should not
engage in the utility business if it
can find private initiative and
private capital willing to under
take the business for a reasonable
and fair return on the capital
necessary" Roosevelt said.
IF the government is not able to
find private individual or corpora
tons willing to do this then govern
ment must step in and do it itself.
1t is a simple fact that in thou
sands of cases throughout the
United States, electric utility COM
panies have sought to and in many
cases have succeeded in obtaining
permission to charge rates which
will bring an unnecessarily large
return. not on the cash investment,
but on a definite imitation Of cap
ital."