Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1936-10-22

ering the problem of those willing and able to work.
for whom there was no employment, the govern
ment found an example of protection in the conduct
of the great industrial and commercial organza-
lions of the country During the years 1880 to 1888
inclusive, these corporations paid out in dividends,
$17,267, 900 taken from the built up
from the profits set aside during the years prior to
the depression. These companies were in position
to practice policy of enforced thrift for the bene-
fit of their stockholders. The workers were in no
such position to control such funds at their
and say, $50 much shall be set aside for our day
OF trbuation-for the day when the factory
whistles fail to blow" And so. a part of the
Social Security Act and to protect the working
population against cold and hunger in future de-
pressions the Government has established an I'm
employment Insurance System; thus placing the
United States in its proper place among the civil
lied nations of the world, which have long since
adopted these measures. What think ye my fellow
Americans, We sons and daughters of the Potomac
what think We this work of your Government?
But it is objected that the Government has in
Cured heavy indebtedness in doing all this. 1t
has. But does that tell the whole story? 1t does
not 1t overlooks the restoration of the National
income which has been realized This income had
fallen from 80 billions in 1929 to 40 billions in IL
it has now climbed back to go billions and is climb
ing daily 1t overlooxs the restoration of property
values which had fallen from 400 billions in 1929 to.
252 billions in 1888 These property values have
risen to $50 billions in 1896, which includes so bill
lions restored values to the farms of the country.
But yet still in the face of these facts the political
critic continues to complain that the Government
has increased the debt by $7,o00000 00O These are
figures as to which the human mind can form no
picture. which tend to terrify the mind with fear
OF the unknown as the fear of the unknown terri
ned the sailors OF Columbus. This fear bes dis
PEELED by humanizing the figures, so that real
picture can be formed by the mind Let us humanize
them. There are 130,Oo00O0 people in the United
States Of these, 30 million support themselves in
normal times either by their labors Oh from their
incomes Let us say that they the taxpayers
of the United States Now if you divide the so mil
lion into the seven billion, it will come to lust $40
apiece How long would it take person to pay off
$l4OoO? Would it be legacy of debt to/her chill
dren and their childrens children as the critics.
say! Well, exact computation shows that payment.
OF 66 cents month for 25 years would discharge.
the $4,000, and the billions, together with 2;
per cent interest on the debt How MANY workman
now unemployed would be glad to pay the Sc cents
month, If they could be guaranteed their steady
work: VI course it is understood that the tax will
not fall on them all in this way Religion teaches
us that we to give to the Lord as the Lord has
blessed us. Sound taxation also requires that we
should pay in support Of the Government in pro-
portion to our ability to pay. that is, in the same
proportion as advancing civilization and its pro
tecting support, Government have blessed us with
increasing income.
And now, am about to conclude but before
concluding should like to put one question to nv
fellow citizen, who is always first an American 70
whatever party he may belong. Are YOU sure ouite
sure, SIR, that IL the Government had not extended
its helping hand to these helpless victims as thew
appealed Tor help, that the Government itself would
not nave gone down beneath the iron heels of some
Fascist or Commuuistic Dictator? The let-it-drift
the iaissez-faire policy had been fully tried out be-
tween 1929 and 1888 and produced "a state of
economic p,2 cnaos. 1t was economic chaos that gave
low Americans, no Philip of Macedon has ever vet
horsed his way across the North American Cont ~.
nent The past at least is secure" and may God
ion in Washington, shall stake the existence Of this
Republic against seven billions Of dollars spent Ia
ave the manhood and property Of the Nation.
MGttkeSO H. Kedr11eu Trens,,r~r