UNEMPLOYMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 16 November 1937, Page 5

UNEMPLOYMENT

PROBLEM IN UNITED STATES PRESIDENT’S “FIRESIDE TAI.K” ATTEMPT TO STIMULATE PRIVATE INDUSTRY (United ITw AAHOCiiitioii-Hy Electric To lograiih— Copy right 1 (Received 16th November, 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, 15th November. President Roosevelt in a radio "fireside" talk urged citizens to contribute to a permanent cure for unemployment by registering in a voluntary jobless census starting on Tuesday. The President indicated that first ol all the Administration will carry out as far as possible its pledge to prevent starvation due to lack of aid; secondly, that the Government will attempt to stimulate private industry sufficiently to reabsorb the idle; and thirdly, that a long-range programme embracing these objectives will be launched after the compilation of the census data. “Unemployment is one of the bitter and galling problems at present afflicting mankind,” he said. “It dates in a measure from the beginning of the industrial era, accentuated by the increasing complexity of business and industry and has been sharpened by the depression. It is the problem of every civilised nation, not ours alone. Some countries are solving it by huge armament programmes, but Americans do not want to solve it like that. A permanent cure is only possible by finding jobs in industry aud agriculture. All willing workers first, however, must possess all the available facts. Observers point out that the number of unemployed has been bitterly disputed since the start of the depression, estimates varying widely. For example, the American Federation of Labour at present claims that the idle total is 3,000,000, which is increasing owing to the lagging of business. The most recent Administration estimate is only 2,000,000, but it was made before the present business recession. Lack of definite data concerning unemployment has been one of the chief weapons used against the Administration.

MESSAGE TO CONGRESS WIDE SOCIAL PROGRAMME NO INTENTION TO ABANDON NEW DEAL i WARNING TO PRIVATE ENTERPRISE (Received 16th Nover.fi cr, 9.50 a.m.) j WASHINGTON, 15th November. President Roosevelt, in a message to Congress, issued a warning that if private capital does not take up the burden of recovery from the business recession the Government will, but he reassured members that the nation s situation was not similar to the 1929 collapse, but must not be disregarded. President Roosevelt advocated some tax revision, but gave a warning against creating new tax injustices, and emphasised the importance of steps in the direction of farm crop control legislation, wage and hours revision, Government bureau reorganisation, and national land conservation. President Roosevelt warned citizens that they must give the Government cordial and confident co-operation, and cautioned Congress against new expenditures for which revenue was not provided by taxation. The President reiterated that he would not swerve from his determination to carry on a wide social programe, and pointed to higher standards of living and more just distribution of the gains of civilisation. The most significant features of the message were continuous reiteration that there was no intention to abandon the New Deal, and a warning against the danger of social unrest from deprivations. The President continued: “Society rests on a solid foundation. All should have enough. The Government cannot let nature take its course without regard to the consequences. The Government must take up the slack. If private enterprise does not respond we should provide flexible machinery which will enable industries throughout the country to adjust themselves progressively to better labour conditions. Much of our social programme is already in effect, but its continued complete success depends on wider distirbution of the immensely enlarged national income. Deflation and inflation are equal enemies of balanced economy. I hope and believe that the Supreme Court will not again deny the protection to the farmer which it now accords to others. I believe that the country as a whole recognises the need of seeking a more uniformed and adequate standard of living and purchasing power everywhere if every part is to live happily with every other part.”