Evening star., 1933-06-14

to States and municipalities or other
public bodies, and to certain private
corporations engaged in the construc-
ton Of projects devoted to public use.
In addition, whenever necessary to
make construction progress rapidly, the
President is authorized to make out
right grants to public bodies in an
amount not exceeding 80 per cent of
the cost of labor and materials en-
ployed upon the project.
Here again it is not forgotten that
this law is an employment measure, and
every safeguard is taken to insure that
to work Every contract and every loan
or grant made in connection with the
public works program shall contain pro-
visions guaranteeing: that no convict
labor shall be employed, that the 30
hour week shall prevail and that all
employees shall be paid wages sufficient
to provide a standard of living In
decency and comfort.
Rules Of Public Policy.
Thus the Government in its own
enterprise Is adhering strictly to the
rules of public policy which it Is seek
ing to es -rteh for the conduct OF pri-
vate entc1p.ijc.
Any fears expressed as to the cost in
volved in this program should be speed
lily allayed. The cost is to be spread
over a period approximating the normal
life of the construction projects, and
the money is to be raised by borrowing.
This is in accord with the soundest
practices of private business, and will
not unbalance the budget nor impair
the credit of the United States.
Before closing I want to answer some
Of the major criticisms directed against
this law. While was engaged In the
task of plotting the bill through the
Congress there was no time, and there
never will be time, to reply to the
captious cries of detractors and OBJ
structionists. But I do want to present
my views to those who have sincere
doubts regarding the moderate, con-
structive, evolutionary character OF the
recovery act.
This is not a radical attempt to regi-
ment all industry under bureaucratic
governmental board. There is nothing
radical in the proposal that those who
drive their machines through the high
ways of industrialism shall maintain
standards of health and decency and
observe the rules of the road which
they themselves are to be allowed to
formulate. There is nothing shocking
have prosperity so long as $4,000, 900
producers engage in blind, ruthless and
ruinous warfare among themselves.
We are not doing anything radical
when we tell men upon what terms they
may engage in business, and outlaw
them for failure to comply. 1t Is not
radical to prohibit the degradation OF
women through shamefully low wages
and the crippling OF children through
excessive work. It is not wrong to take
the steps necessary to insure that men
who want to work shall not starve.
This law Is not a measure designed
to turn the country over to the giants
of industry It is true that the zoo
great corporations need this law. But
It is needed still more by the small
business man and the laborer, who for
the first time are given voice in In
dustrial government, with all the force
of the United States Government to
support them when they are correct.
It is needed still more by the consumer,
whose interests will be adequately pro
tected under presidential supervision OF
the codes of fair competition.
There is no validity in the claim that
the bill Is too vague to offer any guides
to action. maintain that 1t offers the
best possible guidance-the measured
JuuSlllCht NOilAA6 AAOAA eAAS
counsel of business men all over the
country. They will set the standards
and the pace The function OF the
Government will be to protect rules OF
efficiency and fairness from the dev-.
astating attacks Of the exploiter and
the inefficient.
There is no departure here from the
spirit of our Constitution. The fathers
OF the Nation, who turned their backs
upon outworn authority and set up one
of the greatest experiments in history,
would not say that our Constitution
prevents constructive, well considered
attempts to remedy an impossible econ
onic situation.
The cry of radicalism Is ever the last
resort of those who stand frozen in the
tracks of yesterday. It Is cry that
can never put fear into the hearts OF
resolute men and women, nor blind In
telligent people to the proper course OF
action.
This bill is the proper course, and the
whole country is supporting it. 1t pre-
serves what is best in our traditional
methods of solving problems, and dis
cards ancient ideas which clash with
| modern needs. It will be administered
| with the Presidents characteristic
courage and resourcefulness, and 1t viii
contribute nightly to the restoration
of our economic welfare.