The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-06-25
Senator Robinson Cites Achievements in Face of
 Changing Conditions

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 "Natlonal campaigns heretofore usually have involved sharply de- fined issues on which political dis- cussions have centered. The prin- clpal concern of the recent re- publican convention at Cleveland was to reconcile its candidate for the presidency with the declara- tions embraced in its platform. It was not the first time in our history that nominee, iri ad- vance of accepting the nomina- ton, has placed his interpreta- ton on the language employed, but it is the first instance in which c candidate by keeping silent on national public ques- tiofis and after maneuvering hlin- self into . position assuring his selection, has indicated Q dispo- sition to bolt on five or more Sub- jects on which his party had spoken. It is also the first case in which the platform committee and convention have anticipated the purpose of prospective rom- iriee 10 break away in q direction opposite to their movement by declaring that 1t would constitute breach of public faith and of private honor should he fail or refuse to conform to the policies laid down for his guidance.
 COP Loved One Platform
 Republican leaders lately have shown tender, if too long delayed, appreciation for the platform on which the democrats won the election in l032.
 'vrhe Roosevelt administration has faithfully compiled with the spirit of the Chicago platform promises. If there has been par tiai departure as to the letter of the blanks in that platform relat- ing to economy and balancing the budget that failure is attributable to the constantly changing con- ditions and necessities, and to the guerrilla warfare of the republi- can army.
 "Because of the policies of three republican administrations ex- tending over a period Of i2 years, . condition existed March 4th, 1883, which cannot be adequate lye described.
 Drastic Changes Necessary
 "rhe Democratic leadership rec ognized that drastic changes in governmental policies were neces. saty to bring back courage and confidence and to restore financial stability.
 "Thc banking laws were revised, insurance for bank deposits was provided; runs on banks were stopped, and the national credit was employed to prevent bank r.iptcy and ruin of banking insti- tutions, of railways and of key inc dustries.
 "The Democratic administration created system for coordinating production with consumption, and for the payment Of benefits to farmers which quickly restored agricultural prices to an approxi- mate level with the prices of in- dustrial products.
 "Whcn the Roosevelt adminIs- tration began, local agencies, the states, cities and counties, had well nigh exhausted their rec sources, and charitable organiza- tions were unable to meet the con- stantly growing demands upon them.
 Emergency Relief
 "There was devised the Federal Emergency Relief administration, the Civil Conservation Corps or- ganization and the Civil Work ad- Ininistration. When the ConSer- vation Corps was first established it was rldlculed as q useless and costly experiment. Tn spite of the contempt of those who had stood motlonlcss and dumb while the catastrophe was approaching, that organization has demonstrated It's effectiveness for keeping deserving young men from becoming hoboes. "While many key industries had been restored, following recovery measures, to an approximately normal state, private agencies con- tinued to pursue economical meth odS and to substitute machinery for hand labor with the result that a comprehensive program Of pub lie works became necessary and was authorized under the Act of 1885, contemplating nationwide system of public works, some of them consisting of permanent structures. Tn order to take from the dole 3,600,000 laborers, the Works Progress administration was organized and plans were made for public works in thou sands of communities in which the unemployed resided.
 Better to Provide More
 'Thc theory of the Works Prog rcSs administration is that it is better 10 give those who are will- ing to labor the opportunity to do so than to make them dependent VII CtlhEttJ UT VII kJtGHiiAiCAAb dblGs "rhe opponents of the present administration advocate the ab- dication by the national govern ment of control over the admin istration of federal relief funds. They assert that such funds should be expended solely by local agencies of the states. Their con- tention is that this will eliminate politics and prevent waste and corruption. Experience has not shown that to be true.
 with respect to politics, the record shows that there have been less abuses than under any other plan that has been employed. State officers are not exempt from political influence. Indeed, local pressure on state and county ofii- ccrs might prove irresistible and Over-powering.
 Sound Money Echoes
 "Much will be heard of sound