Secretary Roper, pointing out that the present Ad
ministration is sticking close to the principles of Jef
ferson, said:
In line with Jefferson's philosophy, democra
cy's purpose is to respect the rights of all the
people, not the will of the few. Thus the
Democratic platform of 1932 did not foresee
the magnitude nor all the ramifications of
the widespread distress that gripped the na
tion in March, 1933. However, its platform
did set forth general objectives. The platform
said: “We advocate the extension of federal
credit to the states to provide unemployment
relief wherever the diminishing resources of
the states make it impossible for them to pro
vide for the needy.”
This emergency was promptly met; through
appropriations of Congress moneys have been
granted to the states to carry on projects
which have given the people employment,
shelter, food and clothing until they could be
absorbed into the regular channels of business
employment. The platform further stated:
"We favor the restoration of agriculture, the
nation's basic industry; better financing of
farm mortgages through recognized farm bank
agencies at low rates of interest on an amor
tization plan, giving preference to the re
demption of farms and homes sold under
foreclosure; extension and development ol the
farm co-operative movement and effective con
trol of crop surpluses so that our farmers
may have the full benefit of the domestic mar
ket.”
This was met promptly and courageously.
Through the agricultural program, surplus land
was taken out of cultivation and the price of
what the farmer received for his products was
raised to the level whereby he could live and
purchase the goods of industry. Excluding farm
benefits entirely, the cash income from farm
marketings has increased more than 81 per
cent since March, 1933.
