The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-08-19
IM.E.TracyS Says:

TINE Roosevelt administration has done a
Il good job in readjusting our industrial situa-
ton Through the adoption of codes the short
ening OF hours, and the increase of wages it has
placed the country in a position to provide more
work at better pay
In spite OF few disagreerients. business.
both big and small has accepted the plan with
reasslring enthusiasm The real test however,
remains to be met
When all is said and done the success of this
program depends on what average people are
willing TO spend, not only for necessities but for
improvements and luxuries. Increased buying
power will accomplish little unless it is utilized
and that is matter OF inspiration.
Increased consumption. especially in the field
OF convenience and pleasure, can not be brought
about by chronological control yet increased
consumption in that field is absolutely essential
to recovery.
Modern industry is oy-product of the desire
Tor improvements. If people only bought what
they decided. half of our commercial and manu-
lacturAng enterprises would go out Of existence
1T takes mountain of chewing gum cos
metics, candy, sporting goods, and other
decorative or recreational accessories to keep
this country going. Also it takes oceans of beer
and belly-wash Probably two-thirds of our
automobiles are operated exclusively for pleas
ure.
-A4S HAONACS III AiSO employment Tor nunQreCS
OF thousands of people Golf baseball football.
prize fights and wrestling matches are all neces-
sary to keep people at work. But-and this is
the point 70 keep in nind-we could curtail such
activities If we had to and they will be cur
tailed II the increased buying power made posi-
Die through the recovery plan is not employed
effectively and wholeheartedly.
In this respect, the problem of recovery is
largely psychological 1t goes right back to the
attitude OF average people. TO such simple cues
tons as whether they will buy new shoes when
they can afford to or get old ones half-soled.
whether they will put their surplus earnings
into thrift accounts. or squander some on lux
uries and amusements: whether they will buy
when prices go up or wait for bargains
WE face the task of overcoming not only the
w economic effects OF depression. but the
habit Of thought which it has cultivated - the
fear, the disposition to skimp. the blightine in
fluence Of having to live from hand to mouth
That phase OF recovery is beyond regulation
We can persuade or coerce employers into
adoption OF codes, reduction Of working time
and increase Of wages. We can oblige them TO
put blue eagles in their windows or suffer the
consequence.
But it won't do any good unless the public
does its full share in purchasing goods at adj
vanced prices. unless the old spirit OF progress.
hope. and ambition returns. The government
has formulated workable plan, but the people
must carry IL out
The only way 70 restore and maintain mass
buying power is through mass spending This
does not mean that we should be foolishiy ex-
travagant or improvidently wasteful but that
we must put aside the thought Of boarding or
playing safe while other people take risks.