Evening star., 1933-05-03
Action and Confidence.

Americans love action and since
March 1.-TWO months ago tomorrow
they have been getting plenty Of it.
To many of them this is comforting
and confidence-inspiring. Compared
with the post-election paralysis there
is assurance In the post-inaugural ac-
tivity and the remarkable and sus-
tanned cooperation between the Pres
! ident and Congress which has made it
possible. If good many citizens are
bewildered and confused by the speed
| with which one far-reaching social ex-
pertinent has been followed by another,
they seem to be reconciling themselves
with the fatalistic philosophy of the
soldiers, I'VE don't know where we're
going, but we're on our way!"
We certainly seem to be on our way.
But there are not many blessed with
the ability, the time or the energy
to keep up with the direction or the
proposed destination of the various
pieces of legislation which have been
enacted and which are being proposed.
It is not quite two months since the
Presidents Inauguration. A brief re-
view of the legislation in that
time indicates the amazing amount of
ground already covered A partial
diary of the Presidents legislative
activities and what has come of them
since March 4 might be set down as
follows:
March 9-The President asked for
emergency banking legislation. The
legislation was approved the same day.
March 10-The President asked for
authority comforting upon him extraor-
dinary powers relating to reduction Of
veterans compensation, Federal en-
ployes' salaries and relating to other
steps to maintain the credit of the
United States Government" He was
given this authority within 10 days.
March 13-The President asked Con-
gress to legaliZe mountaineering beer.
Beer was legalized by the act approved
March %
March 16-The President asked Con-
gresS for emergency farm relief legisla-
ton. The farm bill has been approved
by House and Senate. which are now
about to reconcile their differences.
March 21-The President asked Con-
gresS for three-fold relief program
First, money grants to the States: sec
ond, the reforestation project: third, a
public works, mployment-creating pro-
gram. The relief bill has been passed
by both Houses making available $780,
100000 for grants to the States. and
the measure will probably be signed by
the President this week. The first con-
tingent of the Forestry Army" is in the
woods. The public works program is
being drafted for transmission to Con-
gress.
March 2e-The President asked for
legislation protecting the purchasers of
securities. Congress Is yet to take ac-
ton on this measure
April 3-The President asked for
legislation to help the farmers with
their mortgages The House passed the
bill and the Senate incorporated it in
the farm bill Farm mortgage aid will
be enacted, with the farm bill, this
week.
April 10-The President asked for
legislation for Government development
and operation of Muscle Shoals and
other Tennessee River projects. The
House has passed the bill and it is now
before the Senate.
ApTH 1o-1He fIeSlQeIlC dShtQ 1OE
mortgage aid for the owners of urban
homes. The House has passed the
measure and the Senate is expected to
act on it shortly.
To have accomplished even this
much, the President has needed some
thing more valuable than the co-opera-
ton of an obedient Congress. He has
needed the confidence of the people
They have given linn their confidence.
There was prophecy in the Presidents
inaugural address. $50, first of all,
let me assert my firm belief that the
only thing we have to fear is fear itself
nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror
which paralyzes needed effort to con-
vert retreat into advance. In every
dark hour of our national life leader
ship Of frankness and vigor has met
with that understanding and support
of the people themselves which is es-
sential to victory. I am convinced that
you will again give that support to
leadership in these critical days
The President has offered leadership
and it has been accepted and supported.
The "unreasoning" fear of the banking
crisis has been dissipated by prompt &C
tion. There has been rebirth of con-
fidence. Much of what the President
hopes to do by making his reconstruc-
ton program effective depends upon his
ability to retain this confidence.
There is, at present, one overshadow-
ing cloud. 1t consists of those new ele-
ments OF uncertainty that have been
injected by the inf1ationary amend
ment to the farm bill. A part of this
uncertainty springs from knowledge,
gained from experience, as to the dis
astrous consequences of imitation. once
a nation wavers from the more difficult
but tried and true paths of sound
money" There is also uncertainty over
how the President intends to use his
wide powers over the Nations currency
and in fixing the value of money.
In his inaugural address the Presi-
dent mentioned two safeguards against
a return of the evils of the old order"
There must be, he said, IAN end to
speculation with other. peoples money,
and there must be provisions for an
adequate but sound currency