Home Photo Gallery Classroom Documents Dear Mr. Roosevelt: I have hesitated all this time to answer your letter of September 24, feeling that I probably did not come within the class of representative clergymen to whom it was addressed. I feel, however, that as one who has met all classes of the community, and one, who, from a long time back has been one of your sincerest supporters and well-wishers, I cannot deny the appeal so graciously expressed in your letter. For about two years now I have been the supervisor of a project first in Work Relief and then under the Works Progress Administration. In addition during the last month I have acted as secretary to furnish free seats for a bureau conducted by Temple Emanuel and other congregations to furnish free seats for the Jewish holidays for those who could not afford to pay. This has brought me into direct contact with the very people for whom the Social Security Legislation and Works Program has been intended. I wish that those who are opposing such a program could meet these people. I could furnish instance after instance of old people who have worked hard all their lives, only to face desperate need in their old age; of middle-aged workers cast adrift not through their own incapability, but of those who employed them; of young people who have just completed their education and find that the working world has no place for them. I have found some shirkers and cheaters, but they are a very small minority; and the thing that has impressed me is the eagerness with which the unemployed seek for work, even the most difficult, in order that they may do their part in the community. It goes then without question that I heartily applaud the work that the government has done in this direction and that I feel that it must continue as long as the necessity exists. I do not believe that government should assume full responsibility for employment-- there is danger there. But as there is a social need which private business cannot or will not meet, it must be met by the American people as a whole, as a worth-while investment in its own citizens. While there is a distinct improvement in conditions as compared to the time when you assumed office, the emergency is still not over, and it particularly effects those classes who provide the luxury services of civilization and its intellectual achievements. Among the classes in which I find especial distress are the recent college graduates, both girls and boys, secretarial work, salesmen on commission, lawyers, clergymen, and artists. As for the Works Program itself, I find that while it has been nobly conceived, it is often ineptly administered. Despite the fact that we have been called upon to make plans for a long time back and to elaborate on specifications, there is still great difficulty in fitting the right man to the job. I have sat for days at the central clearing offices, and know what I am talking about. Time after time I have been sent people who are absolutely disqualified for my work, just because no one else knows what to do with them; while on the other hand, those for whom I asked and whom I knew would be both serviceable to me and happy in the work are the very ones that I have been unable to obtain. At present I am feeling somewhat bitter since I am now seeing the project on which I have spent so much of my time and thought, which was designed especially for those who would be unemployable on anything else, which will benefit millions of people in the present and the future, and has won the highest praise from every official who has had anything to do with it, being thrown to the lions at the whim of a local committee, without having had the opportunity to defend itself or to explain its purpose. I realize that in so large an undertaking it is not always possible to secure ideal results, and perhaps I should not criticize at all, seeing that my general judgement on the program is that, while not entirely efficient, it is probably the most efficient work of the sort that has been attained in this country, and the one that is the most free from the taint of political favoritism. In conclusion, a personal word. You have no doubt received many letters from clergymen and others all over the country on this same subject. Some will contain expressions of disagreement and even abuse. Do not be afraid of what is written by those who are afraid of a change, by the rich and their toadies, or by those who are offended because you do not act upon their own pet peeve. The masses of the people are still with you and you are their hope. Go on in the path that you have set out for yourself and you will ever enjoy the admiration and gratitude of the American people. With all good wishes, I remain, Yours sincerely,
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