Evening star., 1936-05-12
BUSINESS IS URGED
TO TALK OF |SSUES|
Roper, in Forum Speech,
Asks for Campaign With
out "Smearing."


great stake in seeing that the 1886
presidential campaign is one "of edu-
cation and not one of Wtuperation,"
Secretary of Commerce Roper de-
clared last night in ar address in the
National Radio Forum, arranged by
The Star and broadcast or Nation
wide network of the National Broad
casting Co.
1T should be the endeavor OF all
to see that the economic and social
issues involved are presented fairly
and thoroughly to the American peo-
pie" Roper declared. 1.-The issues de-
mand this consideration and the pub
lie and business, which carries the
economic load, are entitled to this fair
treatment"
In his speech, which Roper's office
said had been approved by the White
House. the Secretary renewed the
plea he made recently before the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States for business Government CO.
operation. He asserted that eventual
overthrow of our democratic form
of government" might follow "if all
business should support one political
party"
He said there were definite indica-
tions further recovery gains would
be made this year instead of signs
of a prospective lag in business be-
tween now and the November elec-
tions.
Text of Address.
The text of his speech follows:
During the next six months the
presidential campaign of this year will
dominate the interest and attention
Of the American people.
There has grown up in this coun-
try belief on the part of many that
business, in a presidential election
year, will lag or at best remain at 6
standStill. There is no evidence tha
such will be the case this year. On the
contrary, there are definite indication.
that between now and November there
will be recorded further cumulative
gains, consolidating those recovery
factors already achieved This is re-
fected in the strength and soundneSs
Of the extensive recovery that has
taken place to date.
While I do not observe any we'll
founded evidence of business worry
concerning any danger of an econom-
ic relapse during this years cam
paign period, do find especial in
terest among business men as indi-
viduals and in their trade and bust
ness associations with respect to fun
damental economic and social issues
that will be discussed during the next
six months. This broader interest
may be attributable in large measure
to the fact that in campaigns of the
past usually there have been not
more than one or two dominant eco
nomic issues of major Importance. AS
a result of the unusual economic and
social conditions of the past six years,
virtually every phase and aspect of
business activity will be discussed
during the 1886 campaign.
Bi-Partisan Business Urged.
The business man has great stake
In seeing that this is a campaign of
education and not one Of vituperation
1t should be the endeavor of all to
See that the economic and social issues
involved are presented fairly and
thoroughly to the American people.
The issues demand this consideration
and the public and business, which
carries the economic load, are en-
titled to this fair treatment. In no
other way can the people be properly
prepared on our far-reaching prob
lens to take wise and constructive
action at the polls.
Nothing would be more detrimental
to the best interest of the country and
of business than the adoption of the
recommendation of some few people
that all business should support one
political party. I believe that it is not
IN accordance with the tested prac-
tices of our democratic system tc
have any one of our dominant eco
nomic groups concentrated in sup
port of one political party. A repre-
sentative cross-section of the ma jor
economic groups in both parties gives
strenth to our political system. Any
other course would doubtless lead to
disruptive and destructive segmentary
and sectional action. 1t might
eventually lead to the overthrow of
our democratic form of Government.
The stake of business in the coming
campaign is to study its response
bilities, fully to assume them, relate
them to the larger realm of the en-
tire Nation, and discharge them for
the welfare of all the people.
Sees Changed Outlook.
In the three years that have been
Secretary Of Commerce I have wit
messed on the part of an increasing
number Of business men growing
appreciation of the enlarged respon-
sibilities devolving upon them as a
result Of vast changes that have taken
place in our economic and social sys-
tenn. The future of our Nation will
be safeguarded to the extent that this
tendency increases and is translated
into effective cooperative action. It
is Of vital importance that this trend
in approach and in cooperative re-
sponsibility be continued and accel-
Grated.
In presidential campaigns, when po-
iitical currents and cross-currents be-
come dominating factors, it is some
times very difficult to secure and
maintain a grasp of the fundamental
issues and questions involved. 1t Is
well to keep in mind that under such
circumstances people generally de-
vote more attention to procedures and
practices than to the basic principles
and objectives of the program in
volved. AS improvements this year
register increasing recovery gains
business will continue to be vital!
concerned in maintaining perma-
nently these gains and in applying
those procedures and methods which
look to further constructive progress
-Four Constructive Factors.
From a broad viewpoint it may be
fairly said that these constructive i'm
,,rovoy,oerts have resulted from f0llI