The Washington times., 1935-11-08
HANEYF|NDSG VERNON
LAND0N'S IDEAS NOT
UNLIKE HIS OWN
BY LEWIS HANEY

Professor of Economics, NesO York University
know nothing of Governor Landon except the record he
has in Kansas for in government But GER
tanly like his recent speech at Cleveland.
Here are hgh lights" in that speech And they aren't
DO high that we can't see them
l. The underlying thought Common Sense Experiment
The governor does not these terms mere words but
tells what they By common sense he means figuring
things out basis Of experience He that when
ANYBODY family nation spends should have to pay He
means that pay.asyou-go basis Is pest. .,.-y ..uu
By experiment" he just doing something trying
anything quarterback experiments when he takes
by heavg long forward That what President
Roosevelt has done with his silver buying, his Blue Eagle and
his unparalleled borrowing and spending.
Another fundamental idea the governors speech is
Progress Change.
By progress" he means taking long look ahead to
where going before start ION the way He means
careful calculation of results and consideration OF the
question Who pays? He orderly evolution which doesn't
require shifting and tracking Progress requires knowing
where you going, and how to get there.
By "change" he just going anywhere-Just trying
something different AS he says "An innovation may be
backward STEP Evidently Governor Landon thinks old
things are good such as paying your way Tor example,
To illustrate these common sense' ideas he says that
eve should conduct current fiscal affairs that the
public credit shall not be undermined If that should happen
the poor unemployed would be the first to suffer-for
could longer continue public aid He means
that when you kill the goose, there will be no eggs
Again makes this true and significant statement Ths
generation will be the first mortgage the future in
times other Words Mr.. Roosevelt the first President
a huge debt burden. This is "change" all right The
governor, however does not think it is progress"
Another point his adherence constitutional govern
of the New Dealers had attacked the
because his State has not spent for eef Mr.. Landon
reply is that the constitution Of his State requires that the
counties provide relief Evdeny here public official
who takes his oath to support constitution seriously
T. Finally 1 would stress Governor Landons distinction
between reef for unemployed and the idea of the Gov
ernment giving employment.
In the first place. he believes that the Government should
prevent suffering and seek to end unemployment
possible But that does not that the Government
should replace private employers and to be business
The governor believes in charity But he does not believe
in mixing with business Relief is charity is bus
To mix the two not only waste but pandering to
the false notion that government its citizens the gh
to work. 1t such the CWA and WPA, with
boondoggng relief workers striking for the prevailing
wage"
You can't pay regular wages unless he produces
something that be sold at profit and thus brings
The President and his man. Mr.. Hopkins only
wasting money, but dspating the Of giving
relief by going through the motions of paying "wages to
people for making fish pond football stadums brushwood
dams, ETC., which won't bring in nickel
Better listen Governor Lando. He says: Wha we
done Tin Kansas what sensible family the face of
reduced incomes have cut the frils We have main
tanned essential services, but at minimum cost"