Evening star., 1935-03-05

tary benefits.
OF over one billion dollars allocated
to non-Federal projects more than rs
per cent is in the form of loans, re-
payable to the United States at per
cent interest. The experience of the
Public Works Administration has
shown concluSively the lack on the
part Of most States and localities of
any systematic fact-finding and plan
ming for public works. Hence, much
impetus was lost through the delay
in preparing and submitting projects.
Federal funds could not be granted
on the basis of wholly inadequate
plans and proposals. But even in
view Of these difficulties the direct
and indirect employment, and the
purchases of raw materials and man.
ufactured products for public works
have constituted real contribution
toward the encouraging recovery that
has taken place. In addition. the
comprehensive experience gained in
the administration Of public works
provides a reservoir of data and in
formation which can be drawn upon
to increase the effectiveness and eff
cheney OF future public works activi-
ties.
The downward spiral of unemploy-
ment IN business and industry be-
tween 1929 and 1882 had reached
alarming proportions. Functional
weaknesses in the system of indus
trial employment, as well as general
depression causes, contributed to the
rapidly diminishing total of gainfully
employed. While emergency relief
and work relief on Federal projects
was largely defensive in character, it
was evident that offensive attacks
against the depressed employment
problem were necessary in the form
OF specific corrective and rehabilita-
tive processes. Again in this connec-
tion, Roosevelt stated in 1892 the
principles and policies his admins
tration would pursue to attain these
objectiveS of industrial reconstruc-
ton.
Industrial Policy Cited.
San Francisco, September %: "Pri-
vate economic power is, to enlarge an
old phrase, public trust as well.
This implication is, briefly, that the
responsible heads of finance and in
dustry, instead of acting each for
himself, must work together to
achieve the common end. They must
where necessary sacrifice this or that
private advantage, and in reciprocal
self-denial must seek a general ad-
vantage. 1t is here that formal gov
ernment-political government, if you
chooSe-comeS in"
Chicago, July 2: $50 as to spread
the point of all kinds as widely as
possible, we must take definite steps
to shorten the working day and the
working week"
In other 1882 addresses Roosevelt
advocated the initiation of a program
that would provide for minimum
wages maximum hours and collective
bargaining. Virtually every major
promise of the N. R. A. was clearly
enunciated during the campaign.
Perhaps the chief criticism that can
be made of the N. r. A. Is that too
much was attempted in a limited
period of time. As result, admins
tratiVe confusion was bound to result
Mistakes naturally followed. But the
good accomplished far outweighs the
evil. The N. r. A. resulted in the
unemployment of approximately A.
100000 people. Child labor was
abolished. Minimum wages and
maximum hours are on the way to be
established. Methods have at least
been discovered whereby good busi-
ness can successfully restrain the
abuses and malpractices of unfair and
unjust minorities. Many other similar
constructive benefits could be EMU
merated.
Sees N. r. A. Path Defined.
Twenty months of intensive and
comprehensive N. r. A. experience
defines and clarifies the future course
for ref1nements and improvements.
Administrative procedures and regula-
tionS must be Simplified. Many
code provisions must have the neces-
sary f1exibility for individualistic
treatment in administration. Addi-
tional protective features are required
to safeguard against monopolistic
tendencies. The relationship of the
small business unit must be so ad-
justed that restrictions which might
be necessary for large-scale endeavorS
will not impose handicaps on the
small operator. However, even the
small producer can not be granted
the freedom to keep his business going
by penalizing those who work for him
through long hours and at uneco-
nomic wages. Neither can the in
efficient marginal producer expect to
nave his business maintained through
government paternalism. Thus, the
future program of the N. r. A. must
seek to correct existing inequities and
to establish the fair treatment for all
with maximum benefits for all.
President Roosevelt in a speech at
Seattle, in September of 1892, said:
Il continue to advocate a tariff policy
based in large part upon the simple
principle of profitable exchange ar
rived at through negotiated tariffs
with benefit to each nation"
In other addresses the necessity for
reciprocal and trade-bargaining ar
rangements was definitely stipulated.
Lie FTeSlOenI again maQe good his
word to the American people, and
recommended to Congress the enact
ment of the reciprocal trade agree
ment act, which was approved June
IL, 1884. Treaties with Belgium,
Brazil and Cuba have already been
consummated and extensive trade
treaty negotiations with a score of
other nations are under way.
Points to r. F. C. Work.
No summation of the first two
years of the Roosevelt administration
would be complete without mention of
the indispensable work done by the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation.
To date, $9,o00,000,o00 has been
allocated by the r. F. c. Over
$1,000, ,000, 900 has been put into bank
capital in almost 1000 banks. More
than 81 100000 has been loaned
to bank receivers for distribution to
depositors in closed banks. More
than $1,5O0,OO0,O0O of R. F. c.
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