Evening star., 1943-03-12
Roosevelt
Continued From First Page

T Z -
had given him memorandum show
ing him mechanically that persons
with the highest incomes would
benefit most under the Ruml plan,
and remarked that in Great Britain
and other countries during the war
1t is the rule that the more money
people nave the more they con-
tribute to their country,
Sees Smaller Net Return.
The greater the income of an in
dividual the greater would be his
savings in tax payments under the
RuInl plan, the President added He
said 1t was his impression that this
plan also would mean a smaller net
return for the Government in in
come taxes.
Several reporters questioned the
Presidents conclusions, and he said
he would have no objection to the
Treasury Department making public
the figures on which they were based
The President said the Treasury
had sent him some figures on diff
ferent brackets. starting at $4,000
and going up to that containing the
10 richest men in the country. He
said names could not be released.
do you think it matters if we get
less from 10 men, if We get more
from lot others?" a reporter in
quired
The President said he didn't know
about that. but his impression was
the other way.
Other Subjects Discussed.
Touching on many other subjects
the President:
/. Dismissed a question with a
fourth term implication by saying
there was no news on that and let's
get ahead with the war. The ques-
: tioner asked his comment on recent
discussions with Democratic leaders
who afterward had said they had
told him he would have to run for
a fourth term if the war still was
going on next year This was the
first time the fourth term question
has been raised at press confer
ence.
2. Said there were not yet any
developments bearing on his remark
that hope always springs eternal
when he was asked last month If he
planned a personal meeting with
Premier Joseph Stain of Russia.
3. Refused any specific comment
regarding the recent statement by
Admiral William H. Standley,
American Ambassador to Russia,
that the Russian people were being
kept in ignorance about much Amer
lean aid to the Red Army, but said
that admirals generally sometimes
talk too much and sometimes too
little.
Quotes FDIC Figures.
"a, Made public a Federal De-
post Insurance Corp, report de-
claring that American banks have
recovered since 1888 to the strongest
asset position of record" and are
ready to meet any war demands
which may be made
81. Called attention to a Feb
ruary 26 speech by Generalissimo
Chang Kai-shek of China addressed
to the people of Thailand, giving
them his solemn word that China
as well as it's Allies have no terri
torial ambition in Thailand and
have no intentions of undermining
her sovereignty and independence" i"
which can be restored only by vic
tory of China and her Allies"
Mr. Roosevelt said the Chang
Kai-shek message related to the
general point Of view of the United
Nations in regard to territory grab
bing. The generalissimo promised
that China would do all possible
after the war to help restore the
prosperity and independence of
Thailand, now occupied by the Jap
anese
The Chief Executive had no COM
ment on specific proposals in the
National Resources Board report,
calling for wide extension of Gov
ernment participation in business
after the war and vastly expanded
social security program, which he
submitted to Congress Wednesday
with a request for its early consid-
Grafton.
Refers to Public Works.
He referred directly only to plan
ming for postwar public works prof.
ects, pointing out that the board has
a list of about $1,000 100000 worth
of such projects which might be
made ready now to take up after
the war If necessary to provide en-
ployment for men released from
the armed forces and demolibized
from war industry.
Only about 81 900 900 900 worth of
these projects have received con-
gressional authorization so that the
preliminary engineering and work
of drawing up specifications can be
carried out, the President said
L is all very well for Congress 10
pass legislation for emergency pub
lie works, he AIDED. but human
beings cannot be started TO work
by legislation - the specifications
have to be prepared first.
Remarking that the 81 900 600 ,00C
worth of projects which would be
practically ready to start at any
time needed would not employ many
people, Mr.. Roosevelt said that the
preliminary work on the balance OF
the program would take from six
months to year to do.
Didn't See Stain.
The question of possible future
meeting with the Soviet leader came
up when the President was asked