The Wrangell sentinel. (Wrangell, Alaska) 1909-current, 1940-01-05
FDR ASKS new
TAX LEVY FOR
us. DEFENSES

WASHINGTON, Jan. - Speak
ing before the opening session Of the
18th Congress, meeting for its sec
ond time on Wednesday of this week
President Roosevelt called upon Con-
gress for additional tax leYies to
carry ON the national defense pro
gram. With world conditions such as
they are, the Chief Executive de-
clared that national defense was the
only item for which he believed the
Congress should raise additional
money. All others, he asserted,
call for a reduction
In calling for a strengthening of
the national defenses the President
said the increases for the Army and
NAVY should not be based upon
panic, but upon common sense" and
mot upon what an aggressor nation
would demand"
Strong For Neutrality
Placing himself boldly IN the
position of opposing entanglements
in foreign affairs which lead to war,
the President declared the fourth
President of the United States had
warned the nation against becoming
involved in foreign affairs and that
he voiced the same sentiment. How
ever. he continued, the United States
should not take a dog in the man
ger" attitude but should be ready
to cooperate in world problems. 1t
is foolhardy, he declared, to say that
world affairs are no part of this ma
lions business. On the contrary, he
said, it is a very vital part, and the
attitude the United States takes may
we'll be the force which is sure to
follow the present conflict abroad.
Urges Calmness
In urging calmness and coopera-
ton in one of the most conservative
addresses he has ever given on the
state of the union, President Roose-
welt pleaded for national unity. He
warned against the forces which,
marching under the banner of al
legged Americanism, are actually at
tempting to divide the American
people in this time of crisis; a united
nation moving ahead on the premise
of human reason and fair play.
Continue Trade Agreements
The President urged upon Con-
gress to preserve the national policy
without becoming involved in the
worlds troubles by continuing the
trade agreements act, which expires
in June. He declared that reciprocal
trade treaties with other nations
had proven beneficial and that if
continued might result in the United
States being a potent force in bring
ing peace out of existing chaos in
other parts of the world.
I'VE must keep our agricultural
and industrial machinery in repair
that we may assist in many valuable
ways when the time comes when the
United States must open UP the trade
channels of the world" he said.
at is not correct to say that
powers have been transferred from
the legislative to the executive
branch of government" the Presi-
dent declared in pointing out that
the purpose of his administration
had been to make laws adjustable to
changing conditions. He stated that
much progress had been made in i'm
proving social conditions but that.
there was much yet to do. While the
number of unemployed had decreased
he said that industry must continue
to absorb the balance.
I'VE have not yet found the way
to use our surplus labor" he said,
but we must not adopt the Euro
pean system of using the jobless for
armament, but must build up our
forces in the American economic
way, he asserted, pleading for the
cause of economic security, and
"jobs at decent wages"