A PRECIPICE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20039, 11 September 1939, Page 7

A PRECIPICE

AMERICAN GAMBLE i VIEW OF ROOSEVELT WIFE IN ROLE OF ADVISER NEW YORK, Aug. 30. When President Roosevelt returned to his home at Hyde Park, after Congress had adjourned, he held a press conference, at which he bitterly criticised a sizeable portion of his party for joining the Republican Opposition in defeating his neutrality and financial legislation, complaining that they were gambling with world peace and the economic well-being of the country. As he spoke Mrs. Roosevelt was at his elbow, leaning against a 'bookcase, and occasionally offering suggestions. “Give them an illustration of a precipice,” said Mrs. Roosevelt, as her husband expressed his views on the economic outlook.

Pointing a thumb at her over his shoulder, the Chief Executive said: “I was telling the Misses at breakfast that we had 'been carrying on at a fairly high level, with 3,Q,00,000 on relief rolls, and, counting 2,000,000 more >vho got jobs supplying materials, a total of 5,000;000 who, added to their dependants, constituted 20,000,000 who had work—not always ■steady work, 'but some work.” Buying Power

“And some guying power,” interjected Mrs. Roosevelt. “A great deal of buying power,” the President agreed, “a buying power that affected the littie grocer and every store on Main street of Poughkeepsie, and the two or three small stores in Hyde Park Village. Next spring, relief rolls would be decreased by 3,000,000 recipients.” There had been a theory, on the part of the solid Republican minority, plus 20 to 25 per cent of the Democrats, that business would take up the slack as jobs were lost, the President added. But there was a serious condition, because it was not a gradual decline over a period of years, but rather a precipice.

“That was what the Missus was talking about,” he continued. “It was a precipice, and it was always hard to get down a precipice without danger to life and limb.” The President, concluding, said the Opposition was betting, first, that business would be able 'to absorb millions cut loose from relief and relief work jobs, and, second, that there Avould be no international crisis before Cbngress . reassembled next year.

"I hope they win both wagers; if they lose, the people will know whom to hold accountable,” was the President’s parting shot at his critics.