The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-29

that congress empower the Presl- dent of Che United States to ap- point . federal administrator of public. works and put tlie president i'm such g position as he can elothe him with plenaxy power to cut, slash, dig into and run
 through ell the red tape, and through all the statutory Restric. tions t:iat are placed upon the government in the progress of public works.
 "In other words, incolGe the tac- tics of war, instead of dOtting all the Is and the t's and going through all the cumbersome labor of the peace-tlme performance when 1t comes to public works con- struction."
 LaughabIe Charge
 Oh my, Governor Smith, what a short memory you have. Your charge that the Roosevelt adminis- tration is fostering socialism and communism is so ridiculous, its actually funny. Honestly, Cover nor, think you've been seeing things under the bed, you know, those communist spies our good friend, Ham Fish, is always talking about. Where have heard that charge of socialism and communism before? Oh, now I recall; that's the Identical charge that Hernert Hoover made against you in 1928.
 Remember, governor, after you feariessly advocated the public ownership, public control and pub- lie development of water power sites, poor old Herbert whimpered that 1t was state socialism because he lacked any adequate or statesman like reply to the position you took. And how you nailed poor Herbert on that one. You reminded him that the same old cry had been raised against Theodore Roosevelt. Charles Evans Hughes, Woodrow Wilson and every other public serv- ant who ever attempted to perform Q public duty on behalf of the whole people. Very properly you said that silly charges of that kind did more to promote socialism in this country than any other cause. Let me quote just two short pdragraphs from the Boston speech of yours on October 24, 1928. You said:
 "The cry of socialism has been patented by the powerful interests that desire to put dainper on progressive legislation.
 Failing to meet the arguments fairly and squarely, special interest falls back on the old stock srgu- inent of socialism. The people of New York state are tired oe the stock argument, have discovered that it means nothing, that it Is simply gubterfuge and camoufiage, and l am satisfied that the people of Che nation in their wisdom will % appraise it."
 Hughes. Socialist
 Yes, Governor Smith. you very properly reminded MT. Hoover that under his dennition even Charies evans Hughes, the present chiet Jus. Gice of the United States, was Q 50. cialist.
 Now then, Governor Smith, I wish to comment on one more portion of your speech. You quoted from rres- ident Roovelt's message to congress and then by straining and dsCorC eng his meaning you charged the preSi- dent with saying, If you are gong to have an auCocrat, take me; be very careful about the other fellow.' Now the chief executive never said that and h0 never hinted ct any such thing. That looks just Q little bit like @ blow below the belt. Now suppose I read the record on you not what some one else said, but what you yourself said. am now going to read you verbatim @ news dispatch which appeared in the usually reliable "New York Times, in the issue of February $, 1883, just before Mir. Roosevelt entered the White House. quote:
 "Former Governor Alfred K. Smith told 4OU guests at . dinner of the Catholic C0nEerence on an. dustrlal Probleme at the HOtel As. tor last night that the nation needs . direct0r oE public works with power to cut through red tape If appropriations ot public funds are to count in the war against the depression.
 Constitution Forgotten
 "Tho former governor asserted that the economic crisis had caus- ed more domestic damage than participation by the United States in Che World War, and he declar- ed it must be fought as . dee xnocracy traditionally fights, by are F0gating to Itself the powers of 'a tyrant, . despot or . monarch
 "Let as lock back . few years te 1917 and l9le,' Mr. Smith pro. posed. "'whst dld VIC do then? Why we took the Consultation, wrapped it up and put t on the shelf and forgot it until it was over.'"
 "Just Think of That"
 Just think of thatl Alfred F. Smith proposed in 1883 that we wrap up the Constitution and put it on the shelf until tlse depression was defeated and then comes down here in ie30 to lecture democratic leaders on constitutional govern mentl
 Now let me say something about the Constitution. Tn the whole United States, there is not 8 single individual who can honestly and truthfuliy charge Franklin D. Roose. vclt with advocating the suppression of freedom of speech, freedom of the press. freedom of assemblage. freedom of worship, or any Of those other basic rights guaranteed " in