The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1938-05-19
ministering work relief.
The Recovery Program

The Recovery Program
Notwithstanding the so-called Re-
covery bill passed the House by an
overwhelming majority the fact re-
mains that members on both sides
of the "aisle" do not have much
confidence in its ability to effect
permanent Recovery. It's beneficial
effect, If any, can be nothing more
than temporary. 1t does not at
tempt to provide a remedy for the
fundamental problem that under
lies our present distress. Our con-
dition cannot be improved until
some solution is found that will cor
rect the cause of increasing unem-
ployment.
While it is true that the bill seeks
to provide work through public
agencies, yet, it is admitted that
this alone cannot solve the prob
lem. 1t will only provide work for
less than one-third of the unem-
ployed. If, however, policy were
adopted that would encourage and
enable private industry to put an
equal number of unemployed back
to work at regular jobs and normal
wages, the beneficial results would
be Immediately noticeable and more
far-reaching.
It daily becomes increasingly
clear that something is lacking and
something remains to be done. II
is apparent that the federal govern.
ment cannot supply jobs for all OF
the unemployed. This is emphas-
lied by the terms of the Admins
tration's Recovery bill which under
the most favorable conditions can
not place in jobs more than 4,000,-
900 of the 100000 unemployed
This demonstrates clearly and en-
phatically that the great bulk OF
our unemployed will remain with
out jobs until private industry and
other agencies outside of the gov
eminent can supply them.
The one thing that is most gen.
orally recognized as necessary to
encourage private industry, and
business in general is the elimina-
ton of fear" and the creation of
confidence" upon the part of those
, who under normal conditions sup
ply jobs for our workers. Business
is fearful of what the next step up
on the part of the government will
be. Until some assurance Is given
business will remain unsettled and
fearful to go ahead. AS long as this
feeling continues present unem-
ployment will continue, and fear
grow.
A clear, frank and comprehen-
sive statement by the President OF
his future intentions with respect
to legislation affecting business and
conciliatory and sympathetic atti-
tude toward industry, would go far
to remove the present state of
fear" create confidence and
start the wheels of industry and
thereby provide work for the mil
lions of unemployed.
The Long and Short Haul Bill
1t is now over 13 months since
the House passed the Pettengill
Long and Short Haul bill for the
! relief of the railroads but the Sen.
ate has not yet seen fit to take &C
ton on this measure that means
life and death of the railways.
The slight increase in rates thai
was granted the carriers by the In
terstate Commerce Commission g
month or so ago was merely a pal
l.ative and unless the railroads gel
immediate and substantial relief
practically all of them will he fore
ed into costly receivership which
would be about the worst thing that
could happen to the country, save
another war. All over the United
States railroad employees have been
laid off by the tens of thousands
and the number is daily growing.
For 30 years or more the Ameri'
can railroads have been the football
of politics and the target of dema,
gogues. Law after law for their
regulation have been passed by Con-
gress and State legislatures, and tax
after tax has been piled upon them
until today they are about ready to
sink from exhaustion. Further de.
lay in giving them relief should not
be tolerated.
The railroads are absolutely es-
sential to our national wellbeing as
they provide the only dependable
year round means of transportation