Evening star., 1936-04-15
ROOSEVELT TALK
seen CHALLENGE
Observer, However, Points
Out Jobs Plan Has Been
Proven UnWorkabIe.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

politics, and his speech at Baltimore
before the Young Democrats was no
exception.
President would deliver one Of those
fiery political utterances of the "hit-
then1-again" variety which delights
the onlookers and listeners at o po-
litical rally, Mr.. Roosevelt assumed
the dignifled, restrained and moderate
tone.
Had Mr.. Roosevelt delivered his
state-of-the-Union speech of last jan
uary at the Baltimore rally, and had
he written his January message to
Congress in the vein that charac-
terized his Baltimore address Of this
week, there would have been little
adverse comment.
AS a matter of fact, the Baltimore
speech is more in keeping with what
a President seeking reelection ought
to deliver. And, while there were
in that particular speech certain points
on which opinions will differ, espe-
cially as to the practicability of the
solutions offered, it cannot be denied
that Mr.. Roosevelt did what his Re-
publican opponents consistently fail to
do-he focused attention on the hu-
manitarian aspects Of the problems Of
present-day America.
No New Philosophy.
Mr.. Roosevelt's phrase, social pio-
neering," is in itself a notable chal-
lenge. The President insists that the
Government has certain obligations
to- the youth Of the country. He
admits that experiments may fail, but
he asserts the principle of continued
attack on social problems and by in
ference calls on his opponents to show
wherein they have IN any way met
the challenge.
The Presidents speech reveals no
new philosophy, nor any new public
policy. He still clings to the idea
that all would be well in America II
the hours of work were shortened
and if industry paid the same for SO
hours per week as it does for 40.
He maintains also that the increase In
purchasing power and increase in
Jobs would come from such a pro-
cedure
Unfortunately, the Presidents thesis
has been proved unworkable by such
disinterested and non-political agen-
cies Of research as the Brookings In
stitution To reduce hours without
altering the pay envelope is but an
other way to urge an increase in costs
TO the consumer. There can be no
doubt that industry in some instances
can do precisely as the President
asks, especially in businesses that are
prospering. But what can be said
of the textile industry. for instance.
where the world market for our cotton
goods has been cut down because of
the high prices for raw cotton set up
artificially under the A. A. A?
Trying to Experiment.
;. Mr.. Roosevelt, however. was ad-
dressing a political rally. He was
probably trying an experiment He
endeavored to discuss the broad as.
poets Of the unemployment situation
as 1t affects the youth Of the coun-
try. The address is vulnerable in
many parts, because, after all, the
industrial system Of America cannot
function If Government is to control
AZ, and the real problem Is how to
translate such noble aspirations as
III. Roosevelt expresses into practical
achievement without at the same time
breaking down the industrial ma
Chime as q whole.
Thus today industry is talking and
al atyivA vAr ~ aI-
Prices to the consumer will have to be
raised to pay for much Of the new
taxes. And the taxes in turn are
made necessary because government
Is spending in unproductive ways and
an projects that are competitive with
industry itself.
Notwithstanding these flaws in the
address, it was nevertheless an excel
lent political document. It may dis
appoint those Democratic chieftains
IN the local machines who have come
10 expect denunciatory, name-calling
speeches from Mr.. Roosevelt, but it
will please everyone who wants to
zee the coming campaign debate con-
Quoted on level of intelligent rea-
soning and In good temper.
; If all the speeches Of the 1886 cam
paign by the candidates are in the
same tone as that delivered at Balti-
more by Mr.. Roosevelt, the American
people will have cause for rejoicing.
And, incidentally, whatever the re-
publicans may say about the Roosevelt
address, it was, to be sure, provoca.
tive. Where, 1t might be asked, is
the social pioneering" of the Re-
puhlicans or Of other anti-New Deal
groups?
! May Have Impeded Recovery.
) It is becoming more and more evi-
GENT that a negative campaign may
be convincing to those who have al
ready made UP their minds to vote
against Mr.. Roosevelt. but it will not
win the votes of those who regard the
New Deal, with all its mistakes. as an
honest effort in the right direction.
The opposition will find it necessary,
therefore, to offer not necessarily a
detail program or panacea, but at least
. set of principles covering the social
responsibilities Of the citizen as well
ss his Government. There is plenty
OF evidence, moreover, that, as Gov.
ernment has increased its interven-
ton In economic affairs, the citizen,
through the dole and work relief, has
diminished his own sense of RESPONSE
hillty for his future. If the discussion
Is to turn on social pioneering" the
question may well be asked whether
faulty relief methods have not been
an impediment to human recovery in
stead Of an economic aid after de-
preston.
(Copyrirht 1Q3R1