BOOK OF THE WEEK

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1933, Page 13 (Supplement)

BOOK OF THE WEEK

ROOSEVELT: BY HIMSELF.

(By

U.S.)

"Looking’ Forward," by Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States. William Heinemann Ltd., London, per A. j. Fyfe Ltd., New Plymouth. Price 8/6.

When a President of the United States sets out to reveal himself and the spirit in which he surveys the recent social and economic history of his nation it would be amazing if the book were not full of interest. “Looking Forward” is a collection of addresses given by Mr. Roosevelt during and since the Presidential election that saw his triumph. The speeches contain the President’s ideas and plans—not only for his country’s recovery from the existing economic depression, but out of which may be possible the formulation of large national policies in the next phase of the nation’s development.

For the observer of the present worldcrisis the interest of President Roosevelt’s self-revelation will centre more in his attitude to international affairs than in his views upon domestic failings, hopes and policies. His chapter upon “expenditure and taxation” ends with a plea for something wider than a domestic balanced budget and a just revenue system. The President says “it is obvious that sound money is an international necessity, not a domestic consideration for one nation alone.” Since those words were written the United States has decided to put. national before “international necessity,” and the end of that determination no man can foresee. The book begins with an appeal for a reappraisal of values. It shows the need for economic planning, better use of the land, reorganisation of the system of government, more equable taxation and expenditure, the rehabilitation of agriculture, reform of the railways, tariff, judiciary and banking. In discussing the difficulties confronting the railway systems President Roosevelt, while admitting that the difficulties are very serious, comments “I take it that our job is neither to howl about a Calamity nor to gloss over the trouble, but patiently and carefully to get to the bottom of the situation, find out why the trouble exists, and try to plan for a removal of the basic causes of that trouble.” That sentence describes the spirit which underlies Mr. Roosevelt’s speeches, and so far as he allows his personality to be seen, it seems to indicate what manner of man the President is, and the philosophy of life with which he supports his labour and effort. On the vexed question of tariffs Mr. Roosevelt’s summary is that they “should be high enough to maintain living standards, which we set for ourselves. If they are higher they become a particularly vicious' kind of direct tax which is laid doubly on the consumer.” The net result of the high tariff policy has been “a frantic movement among other nations toward self-contained nationalism.” The tariff was raised in June, 1930. Two years later exports had dropped to a third of their value in 1930 and imports by more than half. Further, in the same period American manufacturers established 258 factories in foreign countries, to escape the penalty on the introduction of American goods, with a consequent increase in unemployment in the United States. The remedy is to be the creation of a “competitive tariff, one which will put American producers on a market equality with their foreign competitors, not a prohibitory tariff back of which producers can combine to practise extortion upon the American public.” President Roosevelt’s views upon the treatment of crime and the criminal are full of humanity, though he deprecates any sentimentalism in handling the thorny problem of penal reform. On the whole the experience of the United States has been much the same as that of New Zealand. In both countries the probation system has proved the most successful of agents for reclaiming those who have disobeyed the law, and the President emphasises the necessity for, 1 the control of probationers by officers chosen for their personality and.training as suitable guardians of these “wards of the State.” Among probationers the list of. second offenders is but 20 per cent. From the prisoners the percentage of reform is as low as 40 to 50 per cent., many of those returning to gaol becoming habitual offenders. Mr. Roosevelt deals trenchantly with the weaknesses of the Republic’s financial and economic system. He believes in individualism, but not “that a few powerful interests should be permitted to make industrial cannon-fodder of the lives of half the population of, the United States.” His efforts for the reform of banking and investment organisations have become fairly well known since his accession to office, and follow much upon the lines laid down in his book.

On the subject of war , debts the President writes: “It is sound common-sense to assist your debtors in every way, but there is neither practicality nor honour nor world safety in cancellation. The stabilisation of world finance can but be achieved by a clear understanding of just obligations. A pokey unduly favouring foreign loans has resulted in more great sums being owed us, has failed to achieve any real international unity, and has confirmed foreign hopes for a repudiation of debts.” It is difficult to see in those words any change of the traditional American policy in regard to war debts. They at least absolve President Roosevelt from the charge of inconsistency in regard to that vexed question.

The book ends with a fine appeal to all Americans to close up the ranks, to eliminate political partisanship and in humbleness of spirit to evolve united and effective action. There is no cureall for the national disorders. The plans outlined are the outcome of hard necessity. “They are methods to be tried for attaining a genuine concert of interests.” The service will be long and arduous, but the leader finishes with a note of confidence.

“Looking Forward” is a book to be read by anyone who desires to understand the American viewpoint upon international affairs. It is an amazing exposure of the corruption and ineffectiveness of much of the governmental machinery of the United States. But its author has at least the imagination to attempt some remedies in a whirl of modernism which almost passes belief. Mr. Roosevelt does not ignore the stark and bitter realities. He admits them and seeks a remedy. Whethe. he succeeds or fails one closes the book thinking here at least is a brave man.

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