Evening star., 1936-11-17
Text of Roper's Speech
Declares "Another N: r. H." May Result if
Business Fails to Cooperate.


national life.
We must take the long-range view
point and apply corrective treatment
in terms of underlying trends and not
episodes. Too frequently in the past
it has been a characteristic of Amer
lean business to sacrifice long-term
security and safety for immediate and
temporary profits. Such procedure
endangers the future of cap
italistic democracy. The existence OF
a great economic mechanism capable
of producing untold wealth, while ma
terial disintegration and human dis
tress increased, finally aroused public
to action. The great
ajority of our people have demanded
that steps should be taken to bring
about more equitable distribution of
the benefits of our economic develop
ment in order that we may utilize our
productive capacity to the fullest.
Individual initiative and private en-
terprise In America will be maintained
and strengthened only to the extent
that each segment actually co-operates
to this end.
One OF the major problems requir-
ing immediate consideration is that of
the unemployed who have not yet been
absorbed into the pay rolls of private
enterprise. 1t is an encouraging fact
that since March, 1888, more than
6 100000 unemployed persons have
found gainful work in business and
industry It is heartening to note
that this rising tide of employment Is
continuing. In some industries there
are more people employed than before
the depression, and further gains are
being made. Until further employ
ment is attained, the Federal Gov
eminent, in cooperation with State
and local agencies and industry must
Cooperate in providing the ways and
means whereby those persons without
gainful employment can secure live
lihood for themselves and their fam
lilies.
This situation has demanded
unusual governmental expenditures
which in turn necessitate tax burden
heavier than normally required. 1t
is the desire of all to decrease gov
ernmental cost and lower taxation as
rapidly as possible.
Recognizing that the ultimate solu-
ton of this problem calls for specific
information covering the causes OF
unemployment, the needs and qualif1-
cations of the unemployed, I feel that
an unemployment census that will
develop this information is necessary.
With such information it will be pos
Sible to create a sound basis for in
telligently and effectively meeting i'm
mediate and future unemployment
necessities.
1t must be realized that the growth
and complexities of industry have
narrowed the opportunities of the
worker to find other employment. This
mechanical condition makes it neces-
justments brought about by economic
disturbances. Hence, census which
creates the moulds through which
classifications of conditions are estab-
lished for the purpose of future COM
parisons is the only way we can hope
satisfactorily to distribute the respon-
sibility among local. State and Federal
agencies and industry itself, and assist
in guiding wisely the unemployed into
employment.
ConDIex FmplOye ProhIems
As our business and industrial sys-
tenn becomes more complex employe
problems become more sensitive and
difficult. This makes it necessary to
have extensive information about work
opportunities, activities and trends.
immediate future secure as much
about human rela-
tionShips in business and industry
as We have about mechanical rela-
The security of our Nation and the
welfare and happiness of our peoplpe
demand that we continually strive for
better working conditions and better
living conditions for all. Representa-
tive business and industrial leaders
have expressed their desire and efforts
to maintain standards consistent
with sound business methods and
with proper social responsibility.
To these ends consideration must be
given to the objectives sought through
the national industrial recovery act.
This act, in terms of the principles
and purposes involved, was formu-
lated by business leaders in CO.
operation with the Government, was
devised to serve business and was
by all political parties in
the Congress and sought objectives
consistent with the principles of
democratic government
1t would be ideal if these results
could be brought about by business,
industry, labor and the consumer
comparatively among them
selves. I hope that this may prove
possible. However, if this approach
is not successful, the interest Of all
requires that the Federal Government
and the Congress should take steps,
in cooperation with all interested. to
work out proper procedure to attain
these objectives.
Another problem demanding the
Nationwide action of busi-
ness in cooperation with States and
local government agencies is that of
reassuming responsibilities which prop
erly belong to them but which had
to be borne by the Federal Govern
ment under the emergency con-
ditions of the depression. These
agencies should be as willing
to take back their normal OBJ
legations as they were anxious to be
relieved of them. The Federal Gov
ernment is now giving proper study
to the problem Of governmental re-
This study should look
to the elimination of agencies while
necessary public service
under a simplifled procedure and at
the least possible expense. Moreover,
we need broader educational efforts in
training men and women for definite
lines of public service, This program.