Evening star., 1935-12-31

feed the starving and clothe the naked
during the days when it was imposSl-
BILE for millions of deserving citizens to
secure work in order to provide for
themselves and families. These are
certainly not to be claSsed as eXpendl-
lures fer current, ordinary and neces-
sary operations OF the Government.
I venture to say that an investigation
will show that the appropriations for
current and ordinary operations OF
the Government as they were known
before the period of the depression,
have been considerably decreased
rather than increased.
Obligation of Government.
Heretofore, those who are unfortu-
nate and who have needed help, have
been taken care of by local agencies
and institutions supported by the local
communities and by private charities.
But the demands increased to such an
extent during the depression and were
of such nationwide scope, due to un-
employment, that the Federal Govern
ment was confronted with this plain
Christian duty which it had to assume,
Enormous sums of money have been
and are still being required to meet
this obligation. With the return to
normal conditions the States and To-
cal communities should resume this
obligation, which distinctly belongs to
them, and care for those in their
mead
help. This cannot be regarded as a
Federal function except in case OF 8
national emergency.
Il have referred to all of this in
some detail simply to show that We
may expect a continually reducing
budget and that business can have no
reason to fear increased expenditures
in the future Certainly If there Is
proper cooperation on the part OF
capital and industry. The first legisla-
tive bill of major Importance to come
before the Congress will be the bill
providing for the payment Of the ad-
iusted compensation certificates, COM
monty known as the bonus bill. I
think some measure of this kind will
be passed by the Senate and the House
during the month of January. There
is an overwhelming sentiment in its
favor in both Houses. It will be re-
membered that the so-called Patman
bill finally passed the House and
Senate by large majorities at the last
session. It. was vetoed by the Presi-
dent. The House voted to override the
vote by a large majority but the veto
was sustained in the Senate by nine
votes. Many leaders in both parties
have declared that bonus payment
bill will be enacted into law at the
coming session. There is no doubt
about this if the contending forces in
favor of the different bills get to-
gether and agree upon a measure.
No one, of course, is qualified or
authorized to speak on the subject
of veto. That is a matter for the
President alone, and I do not presume
that he would permit himself to
reach any conclusion as to the ac-
ton he may take in the event such a
bill'is again passed by the Congress,
until it has been actually passed and
the President has an opportunity to
examine its provisions. No one can
say what the result will be. Specu-
lation, therefore, appears to me to be
not only of no value but improper.
under the circumstances. 1t is very
certain that the payment of the bonus
bill will be an issue and more or
less disturbing factor in legislation
until 1t is paid. AS one who has
unhesitatingly followed the President
on the subject hope it may be pos