Evening star., 1936-11-17
HHE text of Secretary of Com
r1erce Roper's speech, opening

over q coast-to-coast network OF the
National Broadcasting Co., follows;
I take great pleasure in extending
my congratulations to the Natlonal
Broadcasting Co. on this tenth ami
versary of their outstanding educa-
tional work in public service.
It is always a more pleasant ex-
perience to face a promising future,
full OF opportunities, than to dwell in
retrospect upon events of the past.
Therefore, at the kind invitation OF
Mr.. Oliver Owen Kuhn, managing ed
itor OF The Washington Star, am glad
to visit again with the Nationwide
family of the Radio Forum and join
with YOU in a discussion of what lies
ahead economically and socially.
As this forum opens its seventh
season of educational service to the
American people, it is interesting 10
note that the six years OF the existence
Of the forum comedies with the period
of change from the disastrous eco
nomic conditions beginning in 1929 to
the substantial recovery which we now
enioy. This era will be recorded as
one of the most challenging periods in
American history. The battle against
the most serious depression in history
has been won. And we are moving
forward to a sounder, safer and hap
pier life.
The presidential campaign and elec-
ton of 1886 have just been concluded.
Franklin D. Roosevelt is President OF
all American people for the next four
wears. Differences of opinion and
political contentious were deeply
marked in the campaign. However,
It is a noteworthy characteristic OF the
American people to abide by the deci-
sion of the majority and in general
cooperate to carry out plans for the
common good. 1t is our duty now to
repair any damage which may have
been done by false or misleading propa-
randa. Marcus Aurelius said, Men
exist for the sake of one another.
Teach them to bear with one another" "
That is the cooperative spirit and
relationship which must be maintained
between majority and minority opln-
ions in a democracy. This does not
mean that there should be no opposi-
ton to the program and policies of the
Roosevelt administration in the next
four wears. On the contrary, for our
Government to function effectively
and to assure the safest progress,
there should be strong but construc-
tive criticism.
In retrospect we should all be con-
vinced that the widespread discussion
and debate which characterized the
1896 presidential campaign produced
for the electorate broad understand
ing of public issues and principles.
Nevertheless, believe that many peo-
pie are convinced that presidential
campaigns are too long and that the
nominating conventions should be held
not more than three months preceding
the election date. Furthermore, polit-
!cal campaigns are entirely too costly
and it seems evident that the obiec-
tive of democracy would be better
served if some method could be de-
vised to set maximum on expendi-
lures for all political parties. While
there should be the fullest possible
dissemination of informative material
and a widespread discussion of polit-
ical issues, the objectives of democracy
would be more safely met by a limita-
tion of expenditures that would pre-
vent financial control and domina ton
from unduly influencing the votes of
the people.
Leadership and Policies.
In our democracy the people furnish
the leadership and act upon the poll
cies of that leadership. 1t is essential
for safe progress, therefore, that the
people be kept truthfully informed
Educational agencies such as the press,
the radio and the public forum must
be kept free from all controls deter
rent to the best interests of the great
est number of people. If they become
agencies of selfish and biased inter-
ests, they will become destructive in
struments against democracy and,
hence, injurious to the welfare of
the people.
The results of the presidential elec-
ton Of 1886 emphasize fundamental
factors in human needs and relations.
Few leaders have had the vision to
recognize the inevitable evolution of
social trends. Still fewer have had the
courage to act when they have seen the
need for new attitudes and new meth
ods. Our chief problem is to strengthen
our democracy through adjustments
to meet social needs. The solution of
the problem lies in the fact that what
Is just for one segment of our eco
nomic society is just and right for all.
In the recent national election the
people voted like they cheered. They
understood the issues, accepted the
changes instituted by the President to
meet changing conditions, and now
they want them perfected. The over
whelming victory of President Roose-
velt Is not without its deep significance.
It is an endorsement of the broad
principles he has followed in the past
and represents the belief of the Amer
lean people that he has helped greatly
to restore hope, to equalize oppor-
tunity, to prevent excesses such as
existed in the recent past and to con-
serve American institutions by adapt
ing them to changing times
NOW, looking anead, we enter the
next four years with a remarkably
sound business status. In contrast
with the debated economic conditions
and the distressed state of mind in
1882, we have happy and hopeful
people. Business endeavor is advanc-
ing rapidly to higher levels of sales
and better profits.
In his address in New York on Octo-
ber 80 President Roosevelt gave an in
sight into the program of the admin
istration during the next four years.
He set forth the basic principles and
fundamental detectives which will
guide the policies Of the Government
during this period. In the light of the
objectfves set forth. business has moth
ing to fear from Government. It
should rather be encouraged that
through the proper and wise adjust