Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-05-23
COmmendable Steps

During the Roosevelt administra-
ton of the past seven years, America
has been passing through a recon-
struction period. 1t was naturally
to be expected that during such a
period, much new legislation was
needed. There can be criticism of
some legislation enacted by the Roose-
welt administration, but there is also
the opportunity for commentator,
and to be thankful for much that has
been done.
The former president, Herbert
Hoover, was of the old school, and
was stubborn and obstinate. He
could not see that we had unemploy-
ment or suffering, or would not see
it. The attitude on the part of many
at that time was that if man is
not working then let him starve, re-
gardless of whether or not there was
work to be had. Now the attitude
is that none shall starve.
A criticism that might be offered
against the Roosevelt administration
is the ever mounting federal debt,
now approximately AZ billion dollars.
Whatever has been spent in the way
of relief, for food and clothing, and
helping those in distress, should have
been paid for as the expenses were
created. The issuance of federal
bonds is only staving off the day of
settlement. Not only is the principal
of the bonds to be paid, but also the
interest; thus the burden becomes
greater as the years roll on. Paying
10, 20 or 40 years later for food
and clothing bills is like paying for
a dead horse. The country should
be taxed for relief and social security
when the expenditures are made and
not at later date.
The guarantee of bank deposits is
an act of the Roosevelt administra-
ton that is worthy of commentator.
Guarantee of bank deposits was tried
out by some states, Nebraska, South
Dakota and others. 1t was discussed
pro and con in Minnesota as else
where but was not here enacted into
law. It is the type of legislation that
lends itself to greater success if on
national scale. A few years ago,
bankers, generally, talked against
legislation of that type, but now that
it has become federal law, univer-
sal in all states and operates success
fully, bankers proudly advertise that
deposits in their banks are guar
anteed.
The IVA and rural identification
can also be pointed to with pride
by the present national administra-
ton. This legislation has been the
means of reducing rates on electric
light and power on the part of in
dependent companies.
Social security has had advance
ment since 1888. It is far from per-
fected, but it has at least start,
and the country has become social
minded. We do not yet have what
is termed real old age pension, but
rather what is termed old age assist
ance. Some European countries
commenced enacting social security
legislation more than SO years ago,
and have therefore got it on more
permanent basis.
In this connection it might well
also be stated that the Townsend
movement has done much toward
making the country pension-m minded.
The Townsendites started out with a
big plan of 5000 per month, but as
time went on, the program was re-
Vised, made more realistic, and now
they advocate pension of about $50
month or whatever the proposed
tax collection will create for those
above 60. The plan is cash and carry,
and to be the same in all states.
Whether or not people agree with the
Townsend plan, the advocates must
be given credit for bringing the prob
lem into the foreground. Differences
of opinion regarding the plan are
largely over the method of collecting
taxes for the pension.
WPA is another program put over
by the Roosevelt administration which
is a credit. Unemployed people have
been put to work over the years
helping to build schoolhouses, village
and city halls, auditoriums, and have
made many other permanent i'm
proyements. Even the white-collar
people such as writers, research
workers, actors, singers, musicians,
accountants and clerks have secured
work under WPA. Several hundred
Of those are employed at the Univer-
slty Of Minnesota, including Univer-
s}ty Farm. President Ford, in a
speech tbs other day, called the WPA
white collar workers at the Univer-
s5ty, Associates" They are not re-
jaeieys, but are being paid by the