The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-04
THREE YEARS OF ROOSEVELT

A S President Roosevelt ends his third year in
the White House, let us glance back ever the
road We have travelled with him, and ahead along
the path he is taking
That road behind us is crowded with so many
landmarks of achievement and failure that We see
only the noticeable ones
Business is better; the index has advanced from
so to 95 per cent of estimated normal. However,
inasmuch as the number of unemployed three years
ago was roughly 100000 and now IS roughly
100000, we have a long, long way to go after we
pass normal" before approach that more
abundant life"
A PROSTATE banking system has been repaired
Deposition confidence has been raised from the low
est to probably the highest in the nations history
bank failures, once so common, seem thing of the
past,
Investors for the first time, have been given
measure of protection-through the securities regis
traton, stock market control and utility holding
company laws.
FARMERS cash income last year was two and
l. one-half billions larger than in 1882. FCA have
stopped foreclosures. Bankruptcy prices have given
way to profitable prices. Surpluses down to
manageable proportions. And despite serious court
setback, national program of planned production
and soil conservation is again moving ahead.
Laws aimed toward social security are on the
statute books Experimental, they doubtless will
require frequent revision Many states have Jagged
in giving necessary cooperation. But the plan Of
fers an economic cushion for future unemployment
and for assured if inadequate, incomes for the aged
Labor has gained recognition of the right to bar
gain collectively and means of enforcing that right
have been provided. Labors stake in industry has
other legislation.
Utility rates have been widely reduced largely
because of IVA Federal cooperation has strength
ened state control of rates; the electrifcaton of
farms has been pressed and markets for cleo
trical appliances thereby opened. And in the Ten
nessee Valley we have laboratory for planned
regional development.
A million city families have been saved from
eviction by the HOLC and a number of private
lending and insurance companies made solvent.
And Holes record of collections on its mortgages
the dregs of the real estate markets. we'll as
RIGS record of collections on billions loaned to
finance and industry, has proved that the govern
ment do business in business-ike way
Housing has been major failure. One scheme
after another has fopped-subsistence homesteads.
limted-dividend housing corporations direct slum
clearance speculative property, and other hope
full plans. However, FILA has reduced the second
mortgage racket and provided for lower interest
guaranteed mortgage financing.
Fiscal affairs are in a bad shape. We're still
operating on borrowed money, and have piled up a
record gross national debt. Fundamental tax re-
forms still wait; the bulk of revenue still comes
from invisible levies The visible ability -topay taxes
still rest on narrow base.
TN foreign affairs Mr.. Roosevelt has changed the
Il United States from the sury bully of the West
ern Hemisphere to friendly neighbor. But he has
accepted neutrality policy which provides only
partial safeguards against involvement in foreign
wars.
His reciprocal trade treaty program is vast
improvement over Smoot- Hawleyism but he has yet
to face the reality that we can not collest foreign