Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-07-13
Nv fhs Assoeiossd Press

BY fhs AxSoeiotsd Press
PHILADELPHIA, July 13.-Pdr-
tsal teri OF the keynote speech last
night BY Senator Barkley OF Ken
lucky, temporary chairman Of the
Democratic Convention:
Fellow Americans:
I am deeply moved by the signal
honor you have done me.
We have assembled here for
great purpose. We have solemn
commission from millions of Ameri-
can men and women. We are here
to give to them an accounting OF
our stewardship in the administra-
ton of their affairs for 16 outstand-
ing and eventful years, for not one
of which we make an apology.
We have come together to lay be-
fore the American people our art
icles of faith and to nominate, in
harmony with them. our candidates
for President and Vice President Of
the United States.
Hits Republican Egotism.'
We shall not follow the example.
40 realistically set by our oppon-
ents from this rostrum three short
weeks ago, by announcing the re-
suit of the contest four months In
advance.
There has never been greater need
In the world than now for the sort
of leadership which, from its
origin. the Democratic Party has
given in the development and forth
fcation of democracy in America.
In the midst of such summons.
and on the basis of our record. we
meet here today, and shall meet
our opponents, all and sundry, in
this contest and on the day Of cleo
ton next November.
Record Called New Deal.
What is this record Of which I
speak? What is the sum total OF
these accomplishments which we
have wrought in the 16 years now
drawing to close?
They call 1t the New Deal" At
every convention since 1882, and on
every political rostrum, Republican
politicians have hurled their ana
themas at this New Deal" as II 1t
were some blight or plague that had
poisoned the lives and consumed the
liberties of the people and kept
them chained and helpless.
In determining the validity OF
these diatribes, let us inquire what
is this cankering, corroding, fungus
growth, which every Republican or
ator, save one, at their recent con-
vention denounced with unaccus-
toned rancor, then. in their adopted
platform, Rugged to their political
bosom as if it were the child Of their
own loins?
In the first place. it was recovery.
The new administration of Franklin
D. Roosevelt breathed into the nos
trils of every worthy American en-
terprise, large or small, a breath of
new life, new hope, and new de-
termination. 1t put old agencies OF
the Government at the peoples dis
posal, and, where necessary. 1t in
augurated new ones to make de-
mocracy live and work for the
American people.
Points to New Deal Gains.
What, therefore, Is this New
Deal" which Republican orators de-
nounce and their platforms seek to
initiate?
I cannot here chronicle in detail
the great body Of laws and policies
ir1augurated by Democratic Presi-
dent and q Democratic Congress
which have become as secure a part
of American statute law and Amer
lean policy as the Federal Reserve
System itself, and the laws against
trusts and monopolies.
In spite of the chronic and noisy
opposition of this programs en-
emies, the American people will not
willingly surrender the great gains
which they have made under 1t.
For,
Cites Farm Program.
But, I call attention to the fol-
lowing items In our bill OF partlcu-
lars, of which we would remind
the American people as evidence OF
our good faith with them and our
service to them:
A farmers agricultural adjust
ment and price support program,
which, in Is years, has increased
farm income by 800 per cent, sub
stantially reduced interest rates on
farm credit. reduced farm mortgage
Indebtedness by more than so per
cent, and farm mortgage foreclos-
ures by IS per cent.
A soil conservation program,
which has arrested the wasting
processes Of soil erosion, by which
we propose to hand this land OF
ours down to other generations ca
pable Of their support.
A rural identification program,
which has lifted from millions OF
farm women the drudgery OF eX-
hausting housework. and brought to
millions of farms the boon OF cleo
trio power for their homes and
barns and farm equipment.