Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-11

were reduced by them recently by 8
tons In highway and water develo
increased production of food items
needed in the war effort.
Lesser Food Variety.
At his press seminar" the Presi-
dent presented statistics showing
that 1912 farm production was %
per cent above the 1858 average
and IS per cent above 1910. Still
greater production is expected in
ls43.
Despite the largest agricultural
production in history, he told Con-
gress the needs OF our armed serv-
ices and our allies are so great that
a shortage of certain foods is in
evitable =. There will be suficient
volume in our bill of fare but less
variety. That may hurt our taste
but rot our health"
In reporting that the war produc-
ton program will leave civilians with
an average of $500 worth of goods
and services available next year, the
President said that 'even then most
of us will be better fed, better
clothed and better housed than other
peoples in the world"
The average income OF the lower
one-third Of the population has in
creased from $3.50 in 1886 to
1855 in 1912, he estimated.
He calculated aggregate national
income at $l35, 0O0, 000, 900 this year,
and $145 ,000, 000, 900 next year-com-
pared with about $4,000, 00O,0 900 be-
fore Pearl Harbor and $40, 900 900 900
at the low point of the depression.
Expressing confidence that con-
tinued efforts to keep the rise of
the cost of living within narrow
bounds" through sterilization OF
prices, rents and wages will succeed,
he emphasized that such action is
necessary to assure each citizen the
necessities of life at prices which he
can pay"
Asks National Bloc"
Obviously arguing against expect
ed efforts of the farm bloc" in
Congress to revise the parity base
on which price ceilings are figured,
Mr.. Roosevelt said:
Some would like to see the con-
trolls relaxed for this or that spe-
clal group :. economic stabilizai ion
for all groups-not for just the other
fellows the only policy consistent
with the requirements of total war.
l have read of this bloc, and that
bloc, and the other bloc, which ex-
listed in past Congresses. May this
new Congress confine itself to one
bloc-a national bloc"
Sterilization of incomes and abb
sorptlon OF excess purchasing power
by fiscal measures are essential for
success of the sterilization program,
he said, expressing confidence that
Congress will implement that pro-
gram by adequate legislation in
creasing taxation, savings, or both. +"
and thus help to pay as we co. and
make the coming peace easier for
ourselves and our children"
Each increase in taxes and each
increase in savings" he added, will
lessen the upward pressure on prices
and reduce the amount of rationing
and other direct controls we snail
need"
Insisting that the economic stab
ilization program will greatly facili-
tate postwar reconstruction, the
President explained that "a deter
mined policy of war taxation and
savings will aid in making postwar
problems manageable by reducing
the volume of additional borrowing
and helping to keep the prices in
line to the end of the war.
Hopes to End InequitIes.
In connection with new tax leeis-
lation, he repeated previous recon-
mendations for "the closing of loop
holes and the removal of inequities
which still exist in our tax laws
He told newspapermen he had in
mind such things as making new
issues Of State and municipal bonds
subject to income taxation, and ex-
tending the $25 900 net salary limita.
ton to income from all sources.
Mr.. Roosevelt called for vigorous
action" to mobilize the manpower
necessary to carry out the war pro-
duction program, but did not make
any new recommendations for legis-
lative action.
He said approximately 5000 ,00(
additional people will be needed fol-
the armed services and war produc-
ton during the 1943 calendar year
and said this number can be OBJ
tanned by transferring from less es-
sential work, and by drawing into
the working force people who have
not recently sought employment"
vigorous action Is required" he
added, ito mobilize and train ouI
reserve of women and young people
to accelerate the transfer of workers
to essential industries, and to reduce
the harmful turnover and migra.
ton of workers in essential indus.
tries. 1t also requires prevention OF
labor boarding and elimination Of
hiring restrictions based on sex
creed or race"
Rehabilitation Service.
He repeated a previous recon-
mendation for q rehabilitation serv-
ice to make available q million per-
sons for war industry and to restore
to civil employment persons who are
being disabled In the armed forces.
Further efforts toward spreading
war contracts more widely among
smaller plants are necessary II
carrying out the production pro-
gram, the President said.
Il shall be happy to meet with the
appropriate committees OF the Con-
gress at any and all times In regard
tn the methodS nv which thew r1r0.