, 1935-01-04

an intelligent distribution OF the
means of livelihood for that popu-
lation. A definite program for put
ting people TO work. OF which ! shall
speak In a moment. is q component
part OF this greater program Of
security OF livelihood through the
better use OF our national resources.
Closely related to the hroao pro-
blem Of livelihood Is that Of secur-
ity against the major hazards Of
life. Here also a comprehensive sur
vey Of what has been attempted or
accomplished In many nations and
in many states proves to me that
the time has come for action in the
national government. ! shall send
TO YOU. IN a few days, definite rec
concentrations based on these stud
les. These recommendations will
cover the broad subjects Of unem-
ployment insurance and old age
insurance. OF benefits for children.
for mothers. for the handicapped.
for maternity a IN and for other
aspects of dependency and illness
where a beginning can now be
made.
The third factor-better homes
for our people-has also been the
subject Of experimentation and
study. Here, too. the first practical
steps can be made through the pro-
posals which I shall suggest in re-
lation to giving work to the unem-
ployed.
Objects Are Security
Whatever we plan and whatever
we do should be in the light of
these three clear detectives of secur-
ity. We can not afford to lose val
liable time in haphaZard public
policies which can not find a place
in the broad outlines of these ma
jor purposes. In that spirit I come
to an immediate issue made for US
by hard and unacceptable circums-
tance-the task of putting people
TO work. In the spring OF 1888 the
issue OF restitution seemed 70 stand
apart: today. the light Of our X
perience and vi new national pol
icy. we find we can put people to
work in ways which conform 70. nj
tiate and carry forward the broad
principles Of that policy.
The first detectives of emergency
legisgation of 1888 were, TO relieve
restitution. TO make 1t possible for
industry TO operate in a more ra-
tional and orderly fashion, and TO
put behind industrial recovery the
impulse OF large expenditures in
government undertakings. The pur-
pose OF the National Industrial Re-
covery Act to provide work for more
people succeeded in a substantial
manner within the first few months
OF its life, and the act has continued
to maintain employment gains and
greatly improved working conditions
in industry.
The program OF public works pro-
vided for in the recovery act launch
ed the federal government into a
task for which there was little time
to make preparation and little
American experience TO follow.
Great employment has been given
and Is being given by these works.
More thr. two billions of dollars
have also ~ expended IN direct
relief to IL destitute Local agen-
cies Of necessity determined the
recipients of this form Of relief.
N1lAl 4iACNlbd0AC CAACRlAOAAc viz
funds were spent by them with rea-
sonable efficiency and as a result
actual want of food and clothing in
the great majority OF cases has
been overcome.
Many still Jobless
But the stark fact before us is
that great numbers still remain un-
employed.
A large proportion OF these un-
employed have been forced on the
relief rolls. The burden OF the fed
eral government has grown with
great rapidity. We have here a
human as well as an economic pro-
blem. When humane considerations
are concerned, Americans give them
precedence. The lessons OF history.
confirmed by the evidence imme-
diately before me show conclusively
that continued dependence upon
relief induces a spiritual and moral
disintegration fundamentally des-
~tructive to the national fibre. To
dole out relief in this way is TO ad-
minister a narcotic, a subtle des-
troyer OF the human spirit. 1t is in
imical TO the dictates OF sound pol
icy. It Is in violation OF the tradi-
tons OF America. Work must be
found for able bodied but destitute
workers.
The federal government must and
shall quit. this business Of relief.
I am not willing that the vitality
Of our people be further Sapped by
the giving OF cash, Of market bask-
cts. OF a few hours of weekly work
cutting grass. raking leaves or pick
ing up papers in the public parks.
We must reserve not only the bod
les of the unemployed from destitu-
ton but also their self-resect. their
self-reliance and courage and de-
termination. This decision brings
me to the problem OF what the gov
eminent should do with approx
mately five million unemployed now
on the relief rolls.
About one million and a half OF
these belong to the group which in
the past was dependent upon local
welfare efforts. Most OF them are
unable for one ease DR. another TO
maintain themselves Independently
for the most part. through no
fault Of their own. Such people. In
the days before the great depres-
sion. were cared for by local eff
forts-by states. by counties, by
towns. by cities. by churches and
by private welfare agencies.
I'm 70 Local ArencieH