Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-10
BUDGET MESSAGE MARKED BY
USUAL ROOSEVELT BREVITY

and resolute purpose now. The
members of the congress and are
pledged TO immediate economy.
~ am. therefore. assuming that
you and I are in complete agree
ment as 10 the urgent necessity,
and my constitutional duty is to
advise you as to the methods for OBJ
tanning drastic retrenchment at
this time.
Il am not speaking to you in
general terms. I am pointing out
definite road.
The last congress enacted legis-
lation relating to the reorganiZa-
ton and elimination of executive
agencies, but the economies thus to
be affected are small when viewed
in the light of the great deficit
for the next fiscal year. They will
not meet the pressing needs OF our
credit situation.
Provision for additional saving
is essential, and therefore I am
asking the congress today for new
legislation laying down broad prin-
ciples for the granting OF pensions
and other veteran benefits, and
giving to the executive authority to
prescribe the administrative details.
We are unanimous in upholding
the duty of the government to care
for those who suffer II its defense
and FOR their widows and orphans.
The application, however, of this
great principle to large numbers OF
people involves complications-so
great that it is almost impossible to
draw legislation with sufficient
flexibility to provide substantial
justice in varying situations. The
proposed legislation states the prin-
ciples and, limited by them, per-
nits the executive to draw the lines
of differentiation necessary to JUS
tice.
In accord with the same pur-
pose of substantial justice request
also the enactment of legislation
relating to the salaries of civil and
military employees of the govern
ment. This would repeal the ex-
listing furlough plan, substituting
therefore a general principle and
authorizing the executive to make
application of this principle. The
proper legislative function is to fix
the amount of expenditure, the
means by which it is to be raised
and IN the general principles un-
der which the expenditures are to
be made. The details of eXpendi-
ture, particularly in view of the
great present emergency, can be
more wisely and equitably admin
istered through the executive. The
flexioility of the measures which I
am proposing is not only practical
but proceeds along the road of
constitutional government.
such economies which can be
made will, it is true, affect some
of our citizens; but the failure to
make them will affect all our cit
liens. The very stability of our
government itself is concerned and
when that is concerned the ben
efits of some must be subordinated
( to the needs of all.
"When a great danger threatens
our basic security it is my duty
TO advise the congress OF the way
to preserve it. In so doing I must
be fair not only to the few but
to the many. 1t is in this spirit
that I appeal to you. If congress
chooses to vest me with this re-
sponsibility it will be exercised in
a spirit of justice to all, sym
pathy to those who are in need
and of maintaining inviolate the
basic welfare of the United States
"I ask that this legislation &c
into effect at once without ever
waiting for the beginning of the
next fiscal year. 1 give you as
surance that if this is done there
is reasonable prospect that withir
a year the income of the govern
ment will be sufficient to cover tht
expenditures of the government.
Franklin D. Roosevelt"