Evening star., 1949-03-21

The tert OF President Tru-
mans address to the United
States Conference OF Mayors
tolloDs:
feel very much at home be-
fore this conference of Mayors.
One reason is that I remember
the hospitality and courtesy that
so many Of you showed me on my
recent tours around the country.
greatly enjoyed visiting your
cities and talking to your citizens.
I hape that some day I shall be
able to visit you again and to go
to some Of the cities that I missed
last fall.
Another reason for feeling ut
home here is that you are group
Of elected executives. As an elect
ed executive myself. I know some
thing about the problems you face,
Some of you are responsible to
celebrates larger than the total
population of the United States in
George Washington's day. And
the duties with which you are
charged seem to increase almost
as fast as the population-which
Is just the way it Is at the White
House.
City responsibilities Increasing.
AS our modern civilization re-
quires people to live and work to-
gether in larger cities and larger
groups, cities take on more and
more importance-and city gov
ernments face greater response
bilities. In many respects, we
have failed to adjust our thinking
to the increased Importance Of our
cities in political and economic
affairs.
It is a mistake to act as If the
cities were inferior administrative
subdivisions. It is q very serious
Imistake-because for most Of our
population. city government Is the
form Of democratic self-govern-
ment which Is closest to the people.
In this country democracy is
not just a slogan-nor is it q
propaganda smoke screen. It is a
practice. a way Of doing things. It
is a method Of adjusting the dif-
ferences that arise between peo-
pie in their daily lives in accord
ance with the principles Of mutual
tolerance and brotherly love.
The more closely people are
brought together-the more they
rub elbows-the more necessary it
is for them to regulate their af-
fairs on a democratic basis. In
meeting this need through local
self-government. our cities are
among our most important demo-
cratic institutions.
Hopes for d. c. Self Government.
AS usual, there is an exception
to the rule. and the exception in
this case is the city you are meet
ing in today. the city Of Washing
ton. D. c. I hope that the Con-
gress will soon give the District
real self-government and make it,
like our other cities, q local de-
mocracy.
In foreign countries, rs well as
in the United States. cities show
their essentially democratic ma
ture. I am glad to see that the
Conference OF Mayors maintains
strong bonds Of friendship with
cities in other nations. Out Of
the understanding which your are
creating among the cities Of the
world. will come added strength
for the cause Of peace.
I extend my greetings to your
honored guests who are here from
other countries. The mayors from
Canada are such old friends that
we almost forget that they come
from another country. To the
mayors who are here from Eu-
rope. we Americans express our
admiration.
They and their cities have given
us a wonderful example Of the
vitality of democracy. In many
parts Of Europe the cities have
been invaded. fought over. and
in many cases reduced to rubbles.
But the spirit Of democracy has
survived in the ruins. And the
cities have been born again.
Many Problems at Home.
Mayor Stoke of Oslo can tell
you Of the brave spirit of the
people of Norway who today. as
In the past. give proof that they
will never surrender the practice
of democracy for tyranny. Sena-
tor Vinck can tell you Of the
vigorous democracy of the cities
of Belgium. And from Dr.. Reuter-,
lord mayor Of Berlin. you may
hear one of the most inspiring
stories Of our time.
The people of Berlin. after years
under the rule Of the Nazi
criminals. with their city in ruins,
have dedicated themselves anew
to the practice Of democracy In
the very teeth Of totalitarian
dictatorship. The courage they
are displaying in their be-
leaguered outpost is proof to the
world Of the strength OF the
democratic spirit.
Here at home our citizens face
less terrible problems. But II
America is to fulfill its promises,
our cities must be healthful, beau
tiful, and pleasant places In which
to live and to work. We have been
making real progress toward
achieving those standards. But
much remains to be done.
One Of the biggest problems
facing US today is that Of housing.
Large-Scale Housing Needed.
It has been obvious ever since
the end of the war that we have
needed bold and larse-scale action
on housing. I have repeatedly
recommended such action. In
particular. we have needed .
fresh start in the construction Of
rentaI housing for loW-income