The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-06-22
National Topics Interpreted

broad conception OF reform In Lne
country's social
Social Reform structure has now
D... been given the coun-
try. In it, he has
presented the embryonic propositions
which he intends to submit to the con-
gress that convenes in January, 1885.
Everywhere around the capital city, l
believe, it is accepted as statement
upon which he expects that Democrat
ic representatives and senators will
elections.
Disregarding for moment the views
obtainable as to the merits of the prof.
ects which he laid down in his mes
sage to congress outlining his social
reform program, find that most lead
ers look upon the Roosevelt statement
as one from which he can determine
his future policy. 1t will work out this
way, am informed: if the voters elect
a preponderance of Roosevelt support
ers for the house and senate again this
fall, the President will consider that
the country approves of his plans. If,
on the other hand, there should be
sharp loss of Democrats in the house,
l am told that Mr.. Roosevelt would be
likely to consider that as a mandate to
slow up somewhat on the program up
on which he has embarked.
AS 1 reported to you several weeks
ago, Mr.. Roosevelt has now rounded
out the picture Of recovery and reform
as he conceives it to be necessary, or
rather as he and his advisers think the
course should be- At that time, l pre-
dicted he would find it opportune just
before congress quit for the session
to toss his ideas into the hopper for
mastication during the summer months.
It can now be said that he has elected
to go into battle with the opposition
without quarter, for his message made
1t clear he felt the critics had offered
nothing as an alternative. He de-
clared they were unable to present
any plans for human happiness and
that they proposed to go back to the
"old order" which had broken down
completely in the past
The President asserted that he pro-
posed to make the security of the
citizen and his family" the first con-
sideration of government. And to ac-
complish that, he explained, it was
necessary to toss aside many of the
traditions and practices to which we
long have adhered.
people" he said. want decent
homes to live in; they want to locate
them where they can engage in pro-
ductive work; and they want some
safeguard against misfortunes which
cannot be wholly eliminated in this
man-made world of ours"
Mr.. Roosevelt's message was decid-
edly general in tone. He avoided
specifications. But the general thoughts
were certainly clear to all and sundry,
and it is upon these general thoughts
that the issues are to be drawn. In
deed, they have already been drawn.
So it cannot be doubted that
throughout the coming campaigns, we
will hear much of the New Deals new
social structure as presented by Mr..
Roosevelt. The Roosevelt supporters
will swear by all that is holy that it
is the only road to happiness. Repub-
licans and anti-Roosevelt spellbinders
will shout all of the invectives that
NAV be used to inform the country
that it is headed for government own
ership of everything, government man.
agement, destruction of property
rights, etc.
Some observers here thought there
might be some link between the deliv-
cry of the Presi-
No Link With dents message at
Labor Disputesthe particular , time 1n
threats Of strikes. They professed to
see a clever move by the Chief Execu-
tive to satisfy many citizens as to his
intention to guarantee work and food
throughout the future / am in a po-
sition to say, however, that there was
no connection between the unsettled
labor situation and the time at which
the message was delivered to congress.
It was ready at that time and was sent
along in regular course. If it has had,
or is to have, any effect on the threats
of strikes and the leaders in those
movements, it will be wholly coin
cidence.
The strikes have been bred of differ
emit causes than the things about which
Mr.. Roosevelt talked in his message.
He is proposing such things as old age
insurance, additional government mon
ey for loans to persons who want to
buy homes, the transfer of those liv-
ing in barren spots (insofar as jobs
are concerned) to sections and COM
munities where work is obtainable, and
a general paternalism on the part of
the national government. In other
words, Mr.. Roosevelt's plans contem-
plate long range development and
have no reference to NRA schemes, its
..aor ~ xuhot havo Won d0aG rQ-