Home Photo Gallery Classroom Documents My dear Mr. President: In reply to your letter to the clergymen, I am glad that the general economic condition of my community is decidedly better than it was two years ago. Most of those them unemployed are now at work. Of course many of these, thanks to your humanitarian efforts, are employed in PWA, WPA and CCC projects. But many have been re-absorbed by private business and industry. Some whose business had failed are now redeeming their business from bankruptcy. Those who are still unemployed and who have used up all their savings are far less anxious and desperate than they were in the old days before the Federal government began to grapple with the problem of relief, when starvation and utter ruin stared them in the face. They are more hopeful now. Yet there are many worthy people of all ages who are under-nourished. I hope that the onslaught of the hosts of the selfish privileged, the narrow partisans, the politicians, and those who fear all change will not force the present administration to retreat from its high position of wise humanitarianism. Private business and industry and private charity, with the aid of municipal and state funds, may be able to meet direct relief needs if the Federal government pushes its works relief and social security program fearlessly. Without the latter these other agencies could never cope with the present situation as I see it. The wisdom and fairness of your determination that only those who are unable to work shall be given direct relief from government funds, is quite evident in this city. Otherwise the stability of our whole political and social order would be in danger. The graft, fraud and unfairness that have crept into the administration of relief in this community prompts me to suggest to you the need of a check by means of the cooperation of trustworthy community institutions such as churches and their subsidiaries and allied organizations. This seems important to me in view of the fact that government aid on a large scale apparently will have to be continued indefinitely--until the masses are allowed a much fairer share in the national wealth. Storekeepers tell me that the NRA is greatly needed for the protection of honest business and of the consumers. The druggists are especially strong in this opinion. Of course you know that the need of some such federal control is notoriously evident in this city in the poultry business. But that is just a good sample of the general need of more federal cooperation with the state and local governments. Mr. President, I earnestly petition you to push the new deal with renewed courage. I realize that too rapid strides forward toward justice and real national security and lasting prosperity would provoke such reaction that all gains might be lost. Nevertheless, I beg you not to compromise too much. Risk immediate re-election for a greater good to your country. "Play for the verdict of mankind," and you will ultimately win. A new day for this country must and will come. "It can be done." Nobody in the United States has such opportunity as you have. "Let justice roll down like rivers." Sincerely yours,
Walter A. R. McPherson, Minister
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