The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-12
Text OF Roosevelt's Talk
BEFORE Transfers Union

lSterS Union
service for nearly eight years as
assistant secretary Of the navy,
and my service during four years
as governor Of the largest labor
employing state in the union.
You will remember that kind OF
opposition in the campaign Of four
years ago when certain employ
ers, politicians and newspaper
all Of whom are now active IN this
campaign-in an effort to nislead
and intimidate labor, went to the
extent Of putting untrue election.
eering notices in pay envelopes in
order to smash the new social Sc
curly act and force its repeal by
electng its enemies.
That kind. Of opposition comes
only too often from those who reg
ularly for three years aud eight
months block labor's welfare and
then for four months loudly pro-
claim that they are labor's true
friends-from those who love the
laboring man in November but for
get him in January.
Convinced
In spite Of that opposition the
vast majority Of our small bust
ness men have now become con-
WINGED that the gains Of laoor are
the gains Of the entire intefdepe&hl-
ent community, and that the wei
fare Of labor is indispensable to the
welfare of all. They know now that
their best customer is is a salts
fed, adequately paid worker with
a feeling Of security against unem-
ployment and poverty IN his old
age.
We are still, however, quite dis
tant from the objective which he
~seeks-the security and the high
standard Of living for every man,
woman and child which the re-
sources and man-power IT America
make possible.
Our advance has been accomplish.
ed with patience and elaboration.
That is the democratic way; that
Is the road which leads to lasting
results. Here in America. we have
kept our feet on the ground; our
progress has been steady and sure;
we have not been misled by illu.
sorry promises.
Events abroad have shown too
late the result Of the other kind
of methods-promises Of swift, revo-
lutionary relief; seductive pictures
of panaceas; short cuts to pros
perity and plenty, pictured as SIM
pie and easy-all Of these have
led to the same cruel dsappoint-
ment. For these promises people
yielded up their liberties and all
that made life dear. In exchange
they have received only the ration
ing Of the clothes upon their backs,
and the rationing Of the bread upon
their tables.
Can Mo- Stand StM
Our progress must continue to
be a steady and deliberate one-we
cannot stand still. we cannot slip
back. W. must look forward to GER
tain definite things in the near
future. For example, the benefits
of social security should be broad.
ened and extended: unemployment
insurance should cover q larger
number Of workers. Our old age
pension system must be improved
and extended; the amount Of the
pension should be increased, and,
above all, these pensions must be
given in a manner whcich will re-
spect the dignity, of the life Of
service and labor which our aged
citizens have given to the nation.
1t Is my hope that soon the
United States will have q national
system under which no needy man
or woman within our borders will
lack a minimum old age pension
which will provide adequate food,
clothing and lodging to the end Of
the road-without having to 60 to
the poorhouse to get it. And I
look forward to a system which, in
addition to this bare minimum,
will enable those who have faith
fully toiled in any occupation to
build up additional security for
their old age which will allow them
to live in comfort and happiness.
People Must Decide
The people must decide whether
to continue the type of govern
ment which has fostered the prog
ress to date, or whether to turn 1t
over to those who by their action,
If not always by their word, have
shown their fundamental opposi-
ton to the main detectives toward
which we have worked in the past
and to which we are definitely com
mitted for the future.
There are some who would not
only stop now the progress we
are making in social and labor
legislation, but would even repeal
what has been enacted during the
past seven years-all on the plea
that an adequate national defense
requires it. They would seek un.
limited hours of labor. They would
seek lower wages. They would seek
the cancellation Of those safe
guards for which we have all
struggled so long.
I still believe, however, as I