The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-09-22
NEW DEAL CHALLENGE

NEW DEAL CHALLENGE
A GROUP which might be described accu-
n rately as advanced liberals and moderate
radicals has been meeting in Chicago to con-
slider the state Of the nation and what may be
done about IT, They distrust the New Deal
primarily because it resolutely has refused to
attack the rsmparts Of finance capitalism
which is regarded by many as Public Enemy
No l. They believe that so long as the great
speculative bankers dominate our economic or
der all remedial measures can never get be-
yond sniping at our basic economic evils.
These men, led by John Dewey Alfred Bing-
ham, son of Senator Bingham Of Connecticut
former Congressman Anile Of Wisconsin and
others, have formed a Farmer-Labor Political
Federation and urge the creation of a new
party which will actually devote itself to the
interests of the forgotten man." Amile de-
manded an amendment to the Constitution
abolishing absentee ownership which he held
would have the following beneficial results
The adoption of this amendment would
result in leaving every one in possession Of his
home, his personal effects, or his farm If
LleSe
things to millions of our people who have
been dispossessed of them by the system It
would leave to be administered scientifically
the natural resources and productive mschin-
cry of the nation for the benefit Of all the peo-
pie by gearing productive capacity to consump-
tive capacity, and would result in a universal
standard of living such as is now only enjoyed
by the rich"
The Federation adopted the following out
spoken platform:
we are at the end of an era The world
is in the throes of change. The old system
is crumbling. We need courage and intelli-
gence to build new order. Modern technical
developments in production enable man to full
fill his wants in abundance for the first time
in human history The equivalent of $4,000 a
year today or more can now be assured every
family.
yet men starve in the midst of plenty.
Women are in rags while cotton is destroyed.
Boys and girls wander homeless while houses
are empty Millions of Americans have lost
their homes farms and life savings.
-Four per cent of our population control
go per cent of the wealth. handful of
bankers rules the lives and destinies of our peo-
pie. The two old parties which govern us are
paid and bosSed by these same Wall Street
bankers.
This can not continue. We, the masses of
the people, must rise up and win economic and
political control We must organize to establish
a new social order, scientifically planned
system We must own and control the means
of production and distribution. We must pro-
duce to supply human needs instead of for
profit. We must be able to enjoy the wealth
which modern science makes possible We as
sert the right of every American to liveli-
hood. Economic security for all is the basis of
life. liberty and happiness
I'VE, therefore, propose the following rec
ognizng that these demands can be fully met
only in new social order:
"A job for every worker on high Amer
lean standard OF living
Security of tenure on the land for those
who farm 1t, guaranteeing cost of production.
Abolition of speculation and pro1teering
in food and other necessities of life, to protect
both producer and consumer.
"A national insurance scheme to protect
every citizens right to economic security
throughout his life. including allowances for
children during infancy and education, and
insurance for illness, accident maternity, I'M
employment and old age.
Restoration of unearned wealth to the
community by heavy taxes effectively admin
istered on large incomes, gifts and inheritances
and by a capital levy.
Naturalization of banking and return of
sole control over credit and currency to the
federal government as provided in the United
States Constitution.
Public ownership of natural resources
railroads, public utilities, mines and other
basic industries and agencies for marketing
farm produce.
Foreign trade shall be a government
monopoly and the fullest benefit shall be OBJ
tanned through international cooperation"
Let those who are sulking because they
think the new deal goes too far give a little
prayerful study to these proposals. Let them
further reflect that these do not go nearly as
far as do the tenets of the radicals who will
ultimately get hold Of us if the New Deal
proves flop" And let the custodans Of the
new deal prove if they can by actual achieve
ments that we do not need to go as far as
the Dewey group insists.