Evening star., 1939-03-07
Spending and Taxes
Assai|ed by Martin
In Forum Address
House Minority Leader
Pledges Cooperation
For Recovery

Representative Joseph w. Martin,
jr.. of Massachusetts,. the House
minority leader, last night discussed
the Republican viewpoint on ma
tional issues in the National Radio
Forum, arranged by The Star and
broadcast over Nationwide net
work of the National Broadcasting
Co. The text of his address follows:
Through the magic of the radio,
we are celebrating tonight a Nation
wide birthday party-the 150th an
niversary of balanced representa-
tive government under our Ameri-
can Constitution, the greatest char
ter of freedom and the most cher
ished protector of equal oppor-
tunity in all human history.
The First Congress under the Con-
stitution assembled in New York on
March 4, 1789-150 years ago last
Saturday. From that memorable
date runs the glorious epic of Amer
lea, story of achievement and
triumph without parallel in the an
mails of man.
In the meeting of that First Con-
gress, there came to reality the
dream which had been the most
alluring aspiration of the human
spirit from the very dawn of his
tory-"government of the people,
by the people, and for the people"
Moment for Thanksgiving.
It is an occasion of great patri-
otic significance and an appropriate
moment for sincere national thanks
giving-thanksgiving that through
all the economic stresses and strains,
all the wars and revolutions, and all
the vast economic and social change
throughout the world during these
$50 years, the Constitution of the
United States survives today in all
its essential principles of orderly
and progressive government under
law.
But our Constitution survives, not
only as written instrument def1n-
ing the powers and authorities OF
government delegated to the Con-
gress, the President and the judici-
airy by the sovereign people of Amer
lea: it survives also as living and
a vibrant spirit of government and
human relations-as a symbol OF
the creed of fair play. of reasonable
temper and of broad tolerance, so
deeply rooted in every American
heart.
That, as see it in the perspec-
tive of history, is the great signifl-
canoe of the Constitution of the
United States today-that its noble
principles have been translated from
the mere Wordage of an epochal
document in history, into the great
political solvents of tolerance, pa
tience, charity. and good will among
men, governing the relations of a
mighty nation of 13OO0O.0OO people
in their daily striving for peace,
progress. prosperity and genuine So
cial security.
We hear much chatter in these
troubled times that our scheme of
government is outmoded; that the
Constitution can no longer serve our
swiftly moving civilization: that we
must prepare our minds for some
new system contrived since the
horse-and-buggy days.
But on such an occasion as this,
when we pause 'thoughtfully to re-
appraise the fundamentals of our
system of self government, all such
dark forebodings of revolution
quickly take their proper place in
the thought of our people.
Revolution Talk DISCOURAGED.
The idea of revolution in Amer
lea today, and the many sugges-
tions advanced for some funda-
mental change in our scheme of
government in favor of one or an
other of these new European sys-
TENS of compulsion and purge, are
but the clatter of confusion in
minds bewildered by the tasks of
the hour.
This nation would be served well
If all such immature talk were
to cease at once!
The American people are irrev-
ocably devoted to the American
way OF life; and they should be
encouraged and stimulated, by
every power OF government, to press
forward in the work of perfecting
their institutions and improving
their methods of administration in
the light of the glorious achieve
ments of these $50 years!
Today we can best honor the Con-
stitution and the founders of the
Republic - taking every action pos
slble to restore a robust popular con-
ndence In the safety and security of
our scheme of orderly checks and
balances in government, and by en-
couraging a vivid national conf
dence in the future of American
opportunity.
Such actions are the acid test of
genuine patriotism in these times.
But confidence is not built upon
words alone. Pledges must be full
filled, promises performed.
Eloquence never balanced
budget.
Eloquence alone never put strug-
Cling railroad on its feet.
Eloquence alone never put 8 man
to work at honest American wages.
Good Intentions are the substance
OF recovery only when they are
tldnslateo lnuO SOUND and wise
policy.
Pledge Repeated.
As leader of the minority party
In the House of Representatives 1
have pledged before. and I repeat
now, that our members are eager
and anxious to lend every aid to the
administration in a program to bring
about solid and sustained business
recovery. This pledge has been
given, and is here repeated, with
out qualification.
We express an earnest hope that
before another month has passed
the President will send to Congress
at least one specific recommends
ton calculated to give substance to
the glowing promises made by Sec
retary Hopkins at Des Moines Iowa,
10 days ago.
Meanwhile, we shall continue OUR