Evening star., 1935-03-05

that this Nation owes q positive duty
that no one shall be permitted to
stsrve. That means that while i'm
mediate responsibility for relief rests
with local public and private charity,
in 50 far ss these are adequate. the
States must carry the burden, and
whenever the States are unable ade-
quately to do so, the Federal Govern
ment owes the positive duty Of STEP
ping into the breach. In addition TO
providing emergency relief, the Fed
eral Government should provide tenn
porary work whenever possible. The
first Is clearly and inescapably the
task Of the Federal Government. TO
this Federal action, therefore. pledge
my administration"
No one can say that this pledge
has not been carried out to the letter
Of the stated promise. The relief
problem, however. has been . far
heavier burden than could possibly
have been estimated in 1882. because
State. local and private action proved
inadequate to meet their share OF
the responsibility. Furthermore. IT
Is evident that the extent Of unem-
ployment was also considerably un-
derestimated, thus eIilarging the task
Of emergency relief. As we face fu-
ture requirements for continued re-
lief, certain definite principles must
guide our course Of action. Work
relief must be placed upon basis
that will not be competitive with pri-
vate business, ard thereby deter nor
NAL restoration. To administer 1t
otherwise will obstruct the normal
processes Of unemployment IN busi-
ness and industry, and require . much
larger work-relief appropriation over
q far longer period Of time. thus in
creasing the national debt burden
unnecessarily and retarding the fur
ther development Of confidence and
constructive private action.
Favored Public Works.
Federal employment on various
work projects was proposed by Roose-
welt in the campaign as q corollary
measure for reducing unemployment
while accomplishing other salutary
and needful objectives at the same
time. In this respect he said:
Chicago, July 2: II have favored
the use OF certain types Of public
works as q further emergency means
Of stimulating employment and the
issuance Of bonds to pay for such
public work, but I have pointed out
that no economic end Is served If We
merely build without building for q
necessary purpose.
Albany. N. Y, october 13: III
funds can be properly provided by the
Federal Government for increased ap-
preparations for public works. We must
examine the character Of those pub
lie works. have already spoken oi
the type which Is self-sustaining
These should be greatly encouraged
In the national forests, on flood pre-.
vention, and on the development oi
waterway projects thousands car
be given at least temporary employ
ment."
Also at Chicago on July 2: II pro-
pose wide plan of converting many
millions Of acres of marginal and un.
used land into timber land through
reforestation. In so doing, employ
ment can be given a million men,"
Declares Record Is Clear.
The record is clear on the fulf1ll.
ment of these promises. On planned
Federal projects such as those de.
voted to flood control. soil-erosior
prevention. river and harbor work, re.
forestation and other projects de.
signed to preserve. develop and uti.
Continued on Twelfth Page.)