Evening star., 1935-08-26
Text Of Smells Address Attacking New Deal
ECONOMIC
REPRESENTATIVE DECLAB

night follows:
Il America Is the land OF op-
portunity for the individual. Millions
came from the Old World inspired by
the assurance that here they would
escape the oppressive hand Of govern
mental regulation, be permitted to
work out their own destinies and Ell
Joy the fruits of their own industry
and thrift.
Here, they were assured of indefl-
nitely better working conditions in ev-
cry field Of activity and indefinitely
better living standards in the home,
than could be obtained in any other
country in the world.
No Previous Regimentation.
Here their daily lives have not been.
until the advent of the New Deal,
regimented or their business policed
by some minor Government official
an age-old condition of the autocratic
Old World they sought to escape by
coming to America.
Here, until recently, their substance
has not been consumed by hundred
petty forms of taxes to support an
army Of Government bureaucrats.
Here they have enjoyed not only
religious freedom, but mental freedom,
nurtured by the finest system of free
public education civilization has ever
known. With the exception of a few
States, illiteracy in the United States
Is practically negligible. 1t may be
said, in passing, that in those excep-
tional States we find the most enthu-
siastic support of the New Deal.
There is greater diffusion Of wealth
In this Nation than in any other
country Of the globe. The common
people are infinitely better of in a
material way-better clothed, better
housed, better fed, have more money
in savings institutions, carry more in
surance of various kinds. have more
and better recreation-than can be
found any other place on the face of
the civilized globe.
Result Of Economic System.
This is true because of the economic
system under which this country has
been developed, and because of which
1t has prospered-a system which per-
mitted free play of economic forces.
Under this system it has become an
adage that it is only three generations
from shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves.
The only ariStocracy which has sur
vived under this system has been the
aristocracy of talent and character.
Those who have inherited wealth had
to hold it by proving their worth in
the field OF free competition. Rising
generations faced no barriers of caste.
They were not restrained by the op-
presslve hand of Government dicta-
ton and regimentation, system
which, wherever it exists, operates To
perpetuate in power an off1cialdom
which is indolent, wasteful, arrogant.
incompetent and generally corrupt.
Our institutions OF learning. our
churches, hospitals and benevolent in
Stltutlons, our great charities-all are
nnanced, both in their construction
and maintenance, out of surpluses of
wealth made possible under our pres
ent economic system. There is no
other way to finance these institutions
and organizations except by the state
"a method advocated and being put
into practice by the New Deal. That
means state controlled education
Tammanyized charity and state-con-
trolled religion. There is no middle
ground. European governments are
now furnishing examples of the re-
ligious intolerance and educational
slavery to which such methods inevi-
tably lead.
Economic System CHALLENGED.
Our economic system is now chal-
lenged as outworn. We are told it has
become an obstacle in the path of
national progress, a menace to the
welfare Of our rising generations. We
are asked to cast it aside and substi-
tute something new-a planned econ
omy. devised and offered by the New
Deal.
The challenge cannot be lightly dis
missed. 1t should not be. 1t has beer
the spirit of America always to build
for the future ard not to hold fast
to customs which have outlived their
usefulness. This challenge must be
considered not on the basis of partisan
ship, but on the basis of Americanism.
1t is not question of what Is best for
the Republican party, but what is best
Tor America. It is not question Of
whether the New Deal and this ad-
ministration have shamelessly re-
pudiated the definite pledges of the
last Democratic National Convention
and, In the house of its leader. be-
trayed the principles and traditions Of
the Democratic party. That is a ques-
tion solely for determination by the
next Democratic National Convention.
The real question Is whether or not
the new economic system which the
New Deal and the present adminlstra-
tion Is offering as substitute for the
old one will better serve the real inter-
ests Of the American people than the
one they are asked to discard.
Burden Rests on Youth.
The youth of America-the young
men and the young women upon
whose shoulders will rest the burden
OF carrying on our civilization tomor-
row-are the ones who must decide
the validity of this challenge. 1t means
comparatively little to the elders of
this country, who have lived their
lives and are passing of the stage,
whether or not the economic, social
and political systems-to the preserva-
ton Of which they have contributed