Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-04-11
BILLIONS FOR RELIEF

Congress has finally passed the
S4,SS0, 900 relief bill after months
of jockeying and argument. The
measure sponsored by President Roose-
welt, has survived many attempts to
reduce the appropriation drastically
and to put many strings on the hand
ling of the money. Some strings have
been attached. but in the main the
measure as finally passed gives Mr..
Roosevelt pretty much of a free hand
in expanding the vast fund, which
must be spent by June 80, 1897.
This measure represents the Roose-
welt administrations greatest gamble
at bringing about recovery. If this
largest peace time appropriation in
the United States history does not
achieve the desired result it will be
a clear Indication that the pump
printing" policy on which Mr.. Roose-
welt has relied so largely for the res
toration of business and industry is
a failure.
To the average observer S4,SSO, 000.-
900 is a staggering sum Of money; it
should be able to turn the trick If
the mere expenditure of money is
capable of restoring our economic
system. 1t it should fail those who
demand fundamental reforms in our
economic system will be given added
ammunition for their arguments.
1t is to be hoped that Mr.. RoOse-
welt with the aid of his advisors, will
use wisely the great power that has
been entrusted to him with the pas
sage Of this bill. While the funds
are earmarked for specified purposes,
the president is given power under
a transfer clause to increase the al
lotment to any division under the
$4,000, 100000 works section of the
bill by $500, 100000.
Highways development, rural re-
Mobilization, including water conser-
walton and irrigation; rural electrifi-
cation, housing. and the Civilian Con-
servatiOn corps and it's reforestation
program are among the divisions des-
ignated to receive large slices of the
fund.
Much worthwhile work can be done
under these headings. Rural rehabili-
tation projects, rural electrification,
and housing may be particularly en-
phaSiZed. Nine hundred million dol
lars is to be set aside for loans and
grants to states for state projects. |
To these state allotments IS attached
a proviso that % per cent of the
money so allotted must be paid for
labor. with the president having the |
-, L.:
shall be divided between direct" |
and indirect" payments.
1t is to be hoped that a large part I
of the work undertaken under the |
work program may be self-liquidating. |
In the case of publicly-owned cleo
trio plants. housing. and certain other
projects this can be accomplished. |
When self-liquidating works are Sc
lected ii means that the future will
have something to show for all the
vast expenditures that are to be made
now. Money so spent will not be just
money thrown down the rat hole"
1t is important that the states be
prepared with wise programs for the
utilization of the money about to be
received from the federal government |
programs that will give something !
toward a permanent solution of the
problem of unemployment by provid
ing at least some works that will be
able to carry on even after the huge
works fund has been expended.
Minnesota should be ready to re-
ceive it's share under this program. |
Bills are now pending before the Leg
islature which would enable the state |
to take advantage Of funds offered |
for publicly-owned power plants. rural |
rehabilitation, and other works. |
These bills should be passed. so that |
Minnesota will not be at a disadvan-
tage as compared to other states.