Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-06

people. Agricultural programs
have been redirected toward bet
ter balance, greater stability and
sustained prosperity. We are
headed IN the right direction. I
urgently recommend to the
Congress that we continue reso-
lutely on this road.
Greater attention must be
directed to the needs Of low.
income farm families. Twenty.
eight per cent Of our farm opera
tor families have net cash in
comes of less than $1,000 per
year. Last year. at my request,
careful studies were made Of the
problems Of these farm people.
I shall later submit recommended
tions designed to assure the
steady alienation Of their most
pressing concerns.
Because, drought also remains
q serious agricultural problem. I
shall recommend legislation to
strengthen Federal disaster as
siStance programs. This legisla-
ton win prescribe an improved
appraisal of need. better adjust
ment Of the various programs to
local conditions. and q more
equitable sharing Of costs be-
tween the States and the Federal
Government.
The prosperity of cur small
business enterprises Is an indis-
pensable element In the main
tenance of our economic strength.
Creation of the Small Business
Administration and recently en-
acted tax laws facilitating small
business expansion are but two Of
many important steps we have
taken to encourage our smaller
enterprises. / recommend that
the Congress extend the Small
Business Act Of 1853 which II due
to expire next June.
We come now to the third great
purpose Of our Government Its
concern for the health. produce
tiyity and Well-heing Of all our
people.
Every citizen wants to give full
expression to- his 0od-given
talents and abilities and to have
the recognition and respect ac-
corded under our religious and
political traditions. Americans
also want a good material stand
ard Of living-not simply to &C.
cumulate possessions. but to full
all q legitimate aspiration for an
environment In which their
families may live meaningful and
happy lives. Our people are COM
mitted. therefore. to the creation
and preservation OF opportunity
for every citizen to lead q more
rewarding life. They are equally
committed to the alienation of
misfortune and distress among
their fellow citizens.
The aspirations Of most Of our
people can best be fulfilled
through their own enterprise and
initiative, without government In.
reference. This administration.
therefore. follows two simple
rules: First, the Federal Govern
ment should perform an essen
tial task oriyy when IL cannot
otherwise be adequately per-
formed: and second. In perform
ing that task, our Government
must not impair the self-respect.
freedom and incentive Of the in
dividual. So long as these two
rules are observed. the Govern
n1ent can fully meet its obligation
without creating q dependent
population or 0 domineerins
Bureaucracy.
During the past two years, mo-
table advances were made In
these functions Of government.
Protection Of old-age and sur
vivorS' insurance was extended
to an additional 10 million of
our people. and the BENEFITS were
substantially increased. Legis.
lation was enacted to provide
unemployment insurance pro.
lection to some 4 million addi-
tional Americans. Sterilization
Of living costs and the hating
Of imitation protected the value
Of pensions and savings. A
broad program now helps to
bring good homes within the
reach Of the great majority Of
our people. With the States,
we. are providing rehabilitation
facilities and more clinics, hos
pitfalls. and nursing homes for
patients with chronic illnesses.
Also with the States, we have
begun q great and fruitful ex-
pansion In the restoration Of
disabled persons to employment
and useful lives. In the areas Of
Federal responsibility. we have
made historic progress In elm
mating from among our people
demeaning practices based on