Evening star., 1936-10-18

to give me this testimonial in this
place. It is not only the spot where
I was nominated for the governorship
Of this great State in 1928, but 1t is
also the spot where I attended my
first political convention in 1910.
IT remember that meeting Of 26
years ago chiefly because of the fact
that the city was SO crowded that IL
of us from the Hudson River counties
had to sleep In one room, and 10 OF us
fought all night against the other
two who wanted the single window
kept closed. Those in favor Of fresh
air won the day. Perhaps there is
parable in this, because have been
lighting ever since in behalf Of fresh
air and fresh opportunity for the
people Of this country.
"Since the Rochester convention OF
1928 much has happened. That year
we were in the midst Of the great jazz
era-socially, politically, economically
and financially. We were even then a
sick Nation, though we had not yet
begun to feel the pain-the headaches
and the heartaches.
Lopsided Economy.
"It was a lopsided economy we were
living in. The wealth OF the nation
was being concentrated quickly and
steadily into the hands Of a few IN
dividuals who were not only running
the major part of our commerce ana
industry but were actually running
the processes Of the National Gov
ernment itself. 1t is an unfortunate
fact that they were interested in tneir
own welfare instead Of in the welfare
of the great majority Of the people
who were engaged in business, III
dustry and agriculture.
THE process of gobbling up more
and more independent businesses by
merger, by purchase or by reorganlza-
ton was going on apace.
1T was not long after I became
Governor that the skies fell, and it is
perhaps worth noting that when that
happened your State government un-
dertook many policies which we're ul-
timately the basis Of the national leg
islation of the past three and hall
years
From 1929 to the Spring of 1888,
your State government had to nght
the depression alone. Yet it Is
fact that this State was the first to
undertake In a major way the care OF
its needy unemployed. 1t was, l
think, the first State to tie IN the
success of its farming population with
the prosperity Of its industrial popu-
lation-for it was in those years that
we undertook to remove submarginal
land from cultivation, to extend our
forestry and our parks, our farm-to-
market roads and our cooperation
with the farm organizations and the
farmers themselves.
In those years also We started
the splendid system Of relief for the
aged: we worked for the development
of water power and for the reduction
of rates for electricity. and We greatly
strengthened the laws for the pro-
lection of labor.
1T is also true that in the same
period the opposition to social ano
economic legislation of this kind came
from the same sources in this State
which have opposed, and are oppos'
ing, the same type of forward-lookins
legislation and administration in tht
National Capital.
II am happy indeed that during
these past three and half years the
State of New York has continued
and strengthened liberal government
under the wise and conscientious
leadership of our great Governor, Her
bert H. Lehman. His has been tasi
of great magnitude, but he has me
each problem with successful action
He and I are happy today that thu
worst of the crisis is over. He and
are fighting today against the return
of former conditions and former
schools of thought.
Il am happy to be back in my owl
home State, for am proud OF it. DeeI
down in my heart I am confident tina
government which thinks in terms o
humanity will continue in Albany ant
Washington in the days to come"