Evening star., 1933-02-16
Roosevelt and Governors
Stir Hope of Coordination

In calling conference Of Governors
Of the States, to assemble in Washing
ton Immediately after his Inauguration,
President-elect Roosevelt has raised
hopes OF degree Of cooperation among
the various jurisdictions that will re-
suit In benefit to the country.
1T Is not to be expected" advises
the Altoona Mirror, that one confer
ence will be able to settle all the big
questions that might be brought up for
discussion, but a start can be made
| and at the same time the President
and the Governors can get a better
understanding of each others prob
lens. Where the facts are available
1t Is reasonable to expect that solu-
ton Is not impossible. We have had
conferences OF Governors before and
they have been beneficial to the States
represented. We believe, however. that
this Is the first time that the Governors
have been invited by a President to
discuss problems involving both the
Federal and the State Governments.
There Is reason to believe that much
good will come from the meeting to
be held on March g."
1t Is explained by the Nashville Ban
ner that "Mr. Roosevelt naturally makes
the subject Of taxation that of para
mount interest" while "the relief prob
lem Is acute and challenging" and the
distress In which agriculture. the
Nations basic industry, Is involved,
strikes deeply at the foundation of the
economic structure of the country. ("
That paper adds that ''the three major
matters will have first consideration. +"
Mr.. Rockefellers program is discussed
Dy the Oakland Tribune, with the con-
ind
Executive will seek to restore pros-
perity along constructive lines and will
not wander very far into the field of
experiment."
Tne invitation to meeting, for dis
cussion OF matters of common interest
TO the Federal and State Governments !"
is called by the Indianapolis News a
move which reveals an appreciation of
an important matter" That paper con-
tlnues: st will be assumed from the
date OF the conference that the Presi-
dent-elect regards the question as of
great importance to the plans that he
has for co-ordinating all governmental
units in a drive to bring the resources
OF the country to bear on the economic
problem. He knows, from his attend
ance at the annual conferences of Gov
ernors, that under proper leadership and
with true appreciation of the aid that
Is expected from them, the Governors as
a group can be helpful both in counsel
and in action. 1t Is especially significant
that on the program Of questions to be
considered the President t-elect has
placed taxes first"
Similarly noting that t1xation Is
placed first. the New Orleans Times
Picayune remarks that 1t isfo be Of
value with particular reference to the
unfair and oppressive multiple levies-
Federal, State and local-upon the
same commodities" The Times-Picay-
une continues: "Other suggested topics
are unemployment relief, the mortgage
foreclosure problem, better utilization Of
lands and--last, but by no means least
the reorganization Of governments for
economy and efficiency. All these
matters are Of vital concern to all the
States as well as to the Federal Govern
ment They can best be handled by
the cooperation of all-some of them,
indeed. cannot be very successfully dealt
with If that cooperation Is denied. It
Is true, Of course. that the problems they
pose cannot be solved by a White House
conference But that conference, as the
President-elect has timed It, may and
should give right direction and powerful
impetus to the united and harmonious
velt evidently has in mind and most
Americans would welcome Many of the
Governors were planning to attend the
inaugural at Washington; their stay
over for the White House meeting on
March should be easily arranged"
'Th2 CT CO lie r citing ought
to b. - :ecat ON be-
tWeel = - = State can
itals, j, We :. b e2sy to ever
estima.1 Tie tangible effects" thinks
the Providence journal. "A growing
public demand for the drawing q .