Evening star., 1938-04-15
Text of Presidents Fireside Broadcas

more people lnIO private JODS, 10 giving
security and a feeling of security to all
people in all walks of life.
Security, Work, Fair Profit
Held Necessary for People.
am constantly thinking of all our
people-unemployed and employed
alike-of their human problems OF
food and clothing and homes and edu-
cation and health and old age. You
and agree that security is our great
est need-the chance to work, the op-
portunity of making reasonable
profit in our business-whether it be
very small business or a larger one
the possibility of selling our farm
products for enough money for our
families to live on decently. 1 know
these are the things that decide the
well-belng of all our people.
Therefore, I am determined to dc
all in my power to help you attain
that security and because I know that
the people themselves have deep con-
viction that secure prosperity of that
kind cannot be lasting one except on
basis of business fair dealing and
basis where all from top to bottom
share in prosperity, repeated to the
Congress today that neither it nor the
Chief Executive can afford "to weaken
or destroy great reforms which, during
the past five years, have been effected
on behalf of the American people. In
our rehabilitation of the banking
structure and of agriculture, in our
provisions for adequate and cheaper
credit for all types of business. in our
acceptance of national responsibility
for unemployment relief, in our
strengthening Of the credit of State
and local government. in our en-
couragement of housing, slum clear
ance and home ownership. in our sll-
perVlsion OF stock exchange and public
utility holding companies and the is
Suance of new securities, in our pro-
vision for social security. the electorate
of America wants no backward steps
taken.
We have recognized the right of
labor to free organization, to collective
bargaining, and machinery for the
handling of labor relations is now in
existence. The principles are estab-
lished even though We can all admit
that. through the evolution of time, ad-
mlnlstration and practices can be i'm
proved. Such Improvement can come
most quickly and most peacefully
through sincere efforts to understand
and assist on the part of labor leaders
and employers alike.
The never-increasine evolution of
human society will doubtless bring
forth new problems which will require
new adjustments. Our immediate task
is to consolidate and maintain tho
gains achieved.
In this situation there is no reason
ana no occasion for any American to
aiio" MS fears to be aroused or his
energy and enterprise to be paralvzed
by doubt or uncertainty"
Cooperation Needed
To Raise Buying Power.
l came to the conclusion that the
present-day problem calls for action
Doth by the Government and bv the
people, that we suffer from a failure
OF consumer demand because of lack
OF buying power 1t is up to us to
create an economic upturn.
How and where can and should
the Government help to start an up-
ward spiral?"
l went on to propose three groups
OF measures and will summarize the
communications.
FIRST. l asked for certain appropria-
tons which are intended to keep the
Government expenditures for work re-
lief and similar purposes during the
fscal year at the same rate of
as at present. That in
cludes additional money for the Works
Progress Administration. additional
FUNDS for the Farm Security Admins
tratlon, additional allotments for the
National Youth Administration. and
more money for the Civilian Conserva-
tlon Corps, in order that it can main
tain the existing number of camps
now in operation.
These appropriations, made neces-
'ary by increased unemployment, will
cost about billion and quarter more
nan the estimates which I sent to
me Congress on the Sd of January.
Second, I told the Congress that the
administration proposes to make ad-
1ltlonal bank reserves available for
ne credit needs of the country. About
me billion four hundred million dol
ars OF gold now in the Treasury will
'e used to pay these additional ex-
'enses OF the Government, and three
quarters OF billion dollars of addi-
lonal credit will be made available to
ne banks by reducing the reserves now
equlred by the Federal Reserve Board
>ew Work Projects Held
Necessary TO Program.
These two steps taking care of relief
1eeds and adding to bank credits are.
n our Judgment. insufficient by them
oA'oo W stdTC the Nation on a SllS-
aimed upward movement.
Therefore. I came to the third kind
Il Government action which consider
o be vital. said to the Congress:
You and I cannot afford to eouip
with two rounds of ammuni-
ION where three rounds are necessary
u We stop at relief and credit. we NAV
ina ourselves without ammunition
before the enemy is routed. If We are
ully equipped with the third round
u ammunition, we stand to win the
oattle against adversity."
The third proposal is to make def
1lte additions to the purchasing power
u the Nation by providing new work
over and above the continuing of the
Did work.
First, to enable the United States
Housing Authority to undertake tho
construction of about three
hundred million dollars of additional
slum-clearance projects.
second, to renew public works
program by starting as quickly as
possible about one billion dollars worth
II needed permanent public improve
nents IN States, counties and cities
Third, to add 100000. 900 to the