Evening star., 1938-01-04
Papers, Views of Message
Presidents Speech to Congress Draws Praise and
Criticism From Nations Editors.

nopoly and promising recommended
tionS for its cure The sum-
mary OF the Nations position In in
ternational affairs was sound
and sensible, and 1t did not meet
itself coming back.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette (Repub-
lican)-' The President did not
say what we believe the majority of
the American people wanted to hear
They wanted him to go as far
as possible to encourage industry
The recession is the most
vital problem. Why should
there be any delay in considering its
cure? Why should a conference of
Government. industry and labor Of
this subject be postponed? -
All in all. Mr.. Roosevelts message
was disappointing. Our hope now lies
in Congress. An independent Con-
gress can and should do the things
needed to halt the present de-
| cline.
Los Angeles Times (Republican)-
In his advocacy of wages-and- hours
legislation the President evidenced an
apparently hopeless muddle of thought
and dismaying ignorance of the true
nature of wealth. He made it plain
that he considers the money earnings
of wage-earners and their real saw
ings to be equivalent. with no thought
of what the money will buy; and he
also made it plain that he lacks un-
derstanding Of the real nub Of the
problem of raising wages. Increased
wages can come only from increased
production; the President seems to
think they can be had by demanding
them.
Richmond (Va.) Times Dispatch
independent -Democratic) c)-Presiden
Roosevelt's message to Congress was
restrained, dignified, and. on the
whole, reasonable. In refreshing con-
trast to the incendiary broadside de-
livered last week by Secretary Ickes,
1t did not seek to place sole blame
for the recession an any one group
of American. citizens It was notably
free from threats and bombast, and,
while it exhibited firmness and cour-
age. there was nothing in it to cause
dismay to honest business.
The Newark IN. J) Ledger Nnde-
pendent)-If yesterdays message, in
its very mildness, was q sharp con-
trast to other Roosevelt pronounce
ments, 1t was because the message was
delivered against greatly changed
background. In this background three
new elements loomed large-l. the
business recession; 2, the revolt Of
Congress in the special session, and 3,
the reaction of displeasure among the
pubic caused by the incendiary, class
conscious speeches OF two New Deal
spokesmen, Assistant Attorney Gen.
eral Jackson and Secretary of the
Interior Ickes.
Worcester (Mass.) Post (Independ-
ent)-Those who looked for bomb
shells In the Presidents message to
Congress today we're disappointed.
What he offered was q thoughtful and
intelligent analysis of the state of the
Nation and a statement Of the admin
istration's purpose. He was wise in
making this message conciliatory.
Nothing could go further to break the
deadlock OF distrust, which now grips
the Government and Nation, than this
candid statement of the Presidents
outlook. We hope that it will be re-
ceived In the spirit in which it was
given.
Rochester IN. w Democrat and
Chronicle Undependent)-The con-
ciliatory tone of the message is salu-
tary. following the extreme attacks
recently made by Secretary 1ckes and
Assistant Attorney General Robert
jackson. If the new session will make
definite moves toward the modifica-
tions IN Government tax policies the
President admits are necessary, busi-
ness may be expected to meet the
Government half way in a policy of
cooperation. There Is every reason
why It should do so.