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John Sununu Issues Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
1998-0004-F[1]; 2007-0107-F
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin: Chief of Staff, White House Office of
Series:
Sununu, John, Files
Subseries:
Issues Files
OA/ID Number:
29154
Folder ID Number:
29154-001
Folder Title:
Education Summit (1990) [3]
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1
6
THE SUMMIT CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION
1.
Teaching: Revitalizing a Profession
Identifying, recognizing and rewarding excellence in
teaching.
Enriching the teaching profession by providing more
flexible routes to certification.
Attracting enough qualified teachers for
elementary and secondary schools.
Meeting our national needs with respect to science
and mathematics instruction in elementary and
secondary schools.
Increasing the number of minorities entering
teaching.
Evaluating proposals for national certification
examinations.
2.
The Learning Environment
Providing appropriate pre-school and early childhood
experiences to prepare children for primary school.
Identifying at-risk youth and reducing the number of
student drop-outs.
Creating safe, violence-free schools.
Establishing and maintaining drug-free schools.
Assessing student performance and establishing
appropriate goals.
Engaging teachers, students, parents, and the
community in a partnership and a life-long
commitment to education.
3. Governance: Who Is In Charge?
Defining the appropriate role of the Federal
Government in education.
Defining the appropriate role or State governments
in education.
0
-2-
Defining the appropriate role of local school boards
in education.
Reforming federal and state education regulations.
Ensuring that schools are publicly accountable for
their performance, that there is adequate scope for
innovation, and that exceptional performance is
recognized and rewarded.
Ensuring parent and citizen involvement in local
school governance.
4.
Choice and Restructuring
Evaluating the experience with choice across the
nation.
Assessing transportation and equity issues involved
in choice.
Considering ways of expanding choice and
strengthening accountability.
Evaluating the experience with magnet schools across
the Nation.
Instituting performance-based restructuring
initiatives.
Evaluating the experience with site-based management
and program restructuring.
5.
A Competitive Workforce and Life-Long Learning
Ensuring that adult Americans are sufficiently
literate to perform effectively as parents,
workers, and citizens.
Determining what institutions, public and private,
bear responsibility for various aspects of worker
training.
Enhancing public-private partnerships in education.
Communicating the needs of the consumers of the
products of our education system.
Creating incentive programs to produce more high
school graduates.
-3-
6. Post Secondary Education: Strengthening Access and
Excellence
Enhancing opportunities for disadvantaged youth
and their access to higher education.
Strengthening science, mathematics and engineering
teaching in American universities.
Strengthening university entrance requirements and
reducing the need for remedial courses.
Recruiting and retaining more minority students and
faculty in higher education institutions.
Enhancing the quality of training and vocational
education.
Education Summit Conference
Objectives
The purpose in the President calling for a Summit Confer-
ence on Education was not to unveil a new program or set of
initiatives. Nor was it to call for greater centralization
of responsibility for education which has historically been
concentrated at the state and local level in the U.S.
Rather, his purpose was to use the prestige of his office
and his personal commitment to education reform to help stimu-
late increased attention to the problems of our education system
and to engage the Nation's governors in serving as catalysts
in this effort.
With specific reference to the Summit, the President has
four major objectives:
1. To discuss the current state of education in America
and what needs to be done to achieve necessary
improvements.
This will permit him to focus attention on the importance of
education to the economic strength of the country, to the
quality of life in our land, etc.
It will also permit him to emphasize the need for enhanced
accountability and on the importance of concentrating on
results. The central problem of our elementary and secondary
schools is not a lack of resources or funding, it is a failure
to produce acceptable results. We have been devoting more and
more resources, but the product that is being produced is inade-
quate.
2. To focus attention on those things that are working
and making a positive contribution across the Nation.
State and localities have long served as "laboratories of experi-
mentation. This is one of the great strengths of our federal
system. Many states have adopted useful reforms that are pro-
ducing results.
The Summit cannot not only showcase some of these reforms, but
can also engage governors in a discussion of how these success-
ful reforms can be best adopted and adapted across the country.
3. To illuminate new ideas that hold great promise for
producing further reforms.
The President has already drawn attention to some of these --
choice, alternative certification of teachers, magnet schools,
etc.
-2-
Some states have advanced others -- "Parents as Teachers,' (Missouri)
"The Children's Crusade" (Rhode Island), etc.
Stimulating innovation, and shaking up the traditional way of
doing things is needed and can receive useful attention at this
conference.
4. To identify realistic goals and objectives for the
future.
While the Summit will not produce a concrete and agreed upon set
of national goals and objectives for our education it can serve
as the beginning point for a process involving the President and
the Nation's Governors to develop these goals.
Consultations with other organizations will be an important part
of the process of producing these goals. This is a major objec-
tive of the National Governors Association and they are anxious
to work with the President in this effort.
We would likely announce at least some of these goals in early
1990.
State of South Carolina
Office of the Covernor
CARROLL A. CAMPBELL, JR.
Post OFFICE Box 11369
GOVERNOR
COLUMBIA 29211
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Governor Campbell
FROM: Mary J. Willismw-
DATE: September 7, 1989
RE: Response to Governor Sununu's Request for
Examples of Need for Federal Flexibility
Attached, please find both South Carolina examples and Arkansas examples
(per Governor Clinton's staff) of the impact of Federal regulations on local
education decision-making. The South Carolina School Boards Association and
School Administrators Association along with the National Center on
Education and the Economy helped with this information. I can give you
additional examples if needed.
IMPACT OF FEDERAL (AND STATE) REGULATIONS ON LOCAL EDUCATION
Federal regulations affect the operations and policies of local school districts
in many ways. In some cases, regulations provide useful guidance for the
delivery of educational or other needed services to children. In many other
cases, they divert time, money, and energy from the provision of good educational
services to efforts at coping with unnecessary paperwork and complicated ad-
ministrative structures.
These comments sketch out three levels of regulatory impact on local schools that
the governors could usefully address with President Bush.
I. Federal Education Programs
The typical school must cope with a broad range of separate categorical grant
programs operated by the U.S. Department of Education. The attached list
indicates their extent: compensatory education for the disadvantaged, vocational
education, education of the handicapped, impact aid, math/science education,
magnet school assistance, bilingual education, and many school improvement
programs. Each has its own rules, regulations, and program officers. Some of
these programs are administered directly from Washington, D.C. but the major ones
go through state departments of education where an additional layer of bureaucr-
acy is added.
The main problem these programs pose for local schools is how to integrate the
federal goals, services, and administrative requirements into the basic education
mission and administrative procedures of the district.
Recommendation: Allow districts to integrate funds from these separate categori-
cal programs to fund specific school improvement programs for the disadvantaged
along the lines of the school-wide projects in the new Chapter 1 regulations.
II. Federal Programs not Directly Related to Instruction
The second level of program regulation results from the need of schools to relate
to other agencies for ancillary services to children that are not education in
nature. Typical of these services are the massive school lunch program which
involves not only federal subsidies but actual distribution of surplus commodity
foods in the schools through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Less visible,
but no less significant, to school personnel is the impact of federal regulations
governing welfare, youth and family services, medicaid (an important source of
aid for the handicapped), immigration, juvenile justice, HIV and other health
services, drug abuse prevention, emergency housing, etc. All of these programs
involve separate federal regulations plus particular state regulations.
Recommendation: Federal and state officials should explore a method for coor-
dinating key services to children. The coordinating agency could be based in
schools or in another community agency. but the key is having someone responsible
for getting all services to children that they need and are entitled to address
the needs of the "whole child."
III. Federal Regulations Affecting Schools As Institutions
third level of regulations deals with issues that affect schools as institu- affect
The and employers. One example is the whole area of tax policies of that state and
tions the school districts ability to raise revenue (c.g. deductibility
local taxes, tax status of bonds, arbitrage rules, etc.). Another example is the
school as industry that must provide a safe environment for its employees and
students (asbestos abatement, radon contamination, lead in the drinking water,
toxic substances in school supplies).
Also important is the school as employer (minimum wage, employee benefits, etc.)
Over-regulation in these areas redirect scarce funds away from the learning
priority of schools.
Recommendations: The federal government should establish a mechanism at the
White House level or the U.S. Department of Education to review specifically the
impact of any proposed federal mandate on the ability of schools to deliver
quality education and to modify or block such mandates.
The three suggestions which were discussed are the most significant for program
improvement. These policy changes would cause specific program changes to occur.
For example, I have chosen one federal program, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational
Act, to critique in depth. Suggestions for this program are as follows:
1.
The Act should channel more of the federal resources directly to local
now
school district programs through revisions in the funding allocation
38% to
procedures -- ie, at least 75% of the basic grant award should be reserved
for elementary and secondary vocational education programs.
day.
2.
Matching and excess cost requirements should be eliminated since they
discourage the initiation of needed services in many districts that cannot
meet the requirements for economic reasons.
3.
The Act should allow more flexibility to design and carry out vacational
9 seta- sides
programs that work for all students, including the disadvantaged and
handicapped. The current combination of federal requirements, six separate
set aside for special need populations. only supplemental or excess costs
allowable, 50% matching, among others make the design and delivery of
services extremely difficult and expensive.
4.
The Act should simplify the local application process. It should require
states to design a simple unified application process that consolidates all
district grant activities into a streamlined project description and budget
similar to the Chapter 2 administrative procedure.
5.
The Act should emphasize basic skills as well as occupational skills
instruction in vocational education projects.
6. It should authorize activities to coordinate secondary vocational education
programs with post-secondary training providers such as techinical colleges,
four-year institutions, business and industrial training and nonprofit
training programs such as those sponsored by the Job Training Partnership
Act (JTPA).
1. CATEGORICAL FEDERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN TYPICAL SCHOOL (U.S. DEPARTME
EDUCATION)
Education for the Disadvantaged -- Grants to Local Educational Agencies
(84.010)
Education for the Disadvantaged -- Capital Expenses for Private School
Children (84.216)
State and Local Programs, Chapter 2 (84.151)
Drug-Free Schools and Communities -- State and Local Program (84.186)
Mathematics and Science Education Act Program (84.164)
Magnet Schools Assistance Program (84.165)
School Assistance in Federally Affected Areas ** School Assistance,
Impact Aid (84.041)
Transitional Bilingual Education (984.003)
Developmental Bilingual Education (84.003)
-
Bilingual Education -- Transition Program for Refugee Children (84.146)
.
Bilingual Education -- Emergency Immigrant Education Program (84.162)
-
Adult Education .. State Administered Program (84.002)
Vocational Education ** Basic State Grants -- Opportunities Program
(84.048)
Vocational Education -- Basic State Grants -- Improvement, Innovation,
and Expansion Program (84.018)
-
State Vocational Education: Consumer and Homemaking Program (84.049)
-
State Vocational Education Program: Industry-Education Partnership for
Training in High-Technology Occupations (No. CFDA no.)
Handicapped -- Innovational and Development (84.023)
Handicapped -- State Grant (84.027)
Handicapped Preschool Grant
II. CATEGORICAL FEDERAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE ON COMPETITIVE BASIS
Even Start Program Operated by Local Educational Agencies (84.213)
Follow Through (84.014)
Law-Related Education Program (84.123)
Star Schools Program (84.203)
Leadership in Educational Administration Development (LEAD) Program
(84.178)
-
National Diffusion Network Program (84.073)
Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Student Program (84.206)
FIRST: Schools and Teachers Program (84.211)
-
FIRST: Family-School Partnership Program (84.212)
Secretary's Fund for Innovation in Education (FIE) (84.215)
Mathematics and Science Education National Programs (84.168)
Bilingual Education -- Special Alternative Instructional Program
(84.003)
Vocational Education -- National Program: Cooperative Demonstration
Program (84.199)
Bilingual Vocational Training Program (84,077)
-
National Science Foundation
-
National Endowments for Arts & Humanities
III.FEDERAL PROGRAMS NOT RELATED TO INSTRUCTION
A.
Nutrition (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
-
School Breakfast
.
School Lunch
Women, Infants, Children
-
Nutrition Education & Training
B.
Environmental Hazard Abatement (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
[EPA])
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act
-
Asbestos in Schools Hazard Abatement Act Grants & Loans
Lead in Drinking Water Control
Radar Contamination
XEROX TELECOPIER 295 : 3-24-90; 6:10 PM: 371 1382 +
SEP 07 '89 17:09 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AR.
Arkansas
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
4 STATE CAPITOL MALL LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 72201-1071 # (501)882-4475
Burton L. Elliett, Director, General Education Division
Reptember 6, 1989
HEMORANDOM
TO:
Kathy Van Laningham
FROM:
piane Sydoriak, Associate Director, Special Education
SUBJECT: Review of Federal Regulations Regarding Obstacles to Restructuring
As per your request, Clearence Lovell and I have reviewed the federal
regulations affecting our respective program areas as to obstacles the
regulations create when districts begin implementing innovative approaches
to education service delivery.
Education of the Mandicapped Act. PL 94-142
The key issues creating obstacles can be summarized as follows:
1.
The regulations and the Act require that funds be used to supplement
not supplant. When districts begin implementing special education
services for handicapped children within the regular classroom,
restrictions on the use of the funds create a problem. For example:
It would be difficult to use federal funds to pay for a portion of the
regular classroom teacher's salary and it not be viewed as supplanting.
2.
The regulations prohibit funds being expended for any child that is not
determined to be eligible under the Act; thus, including children who
have the same or similar needs in a program funded by the Act is
disallowed.
3.
Program is process focused rather than results focused.
4.
Accountability should be measured by student outcomes rather than
through financial accounting.
Attachment
XEROX TELECOPIER 295 ; 3-24-90: 6:11 PM; 1 sAe"ru-50 371 1362 +
SEP 07 '89 17:09 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AR.
P.3
The following regulations are those that might present chatacles
to schools that are entering into programs for restructuring.
These regulations have been taken from the Chapter I regulations
issued May 19, 1989 and the Chapter II section of Public Law
100-297.
200.30 HOW does an LEA select school attendance areas to be
project areas?
An LEA that receives Chapter 1 funds under this part shall
conduct Chapter 1 projects in school attendance areas that have
high concentrations of children from low-income families.
Program improvement and student improvement activities
under this section must include participating children
in private schools in accordance with section 1017 of
the Act.
Example: Students who may need a program that is
developed with Chapter I funds may not be attending a
project school.
200.40 What is the prohibition against using funds under this part to
provide general aid?
An LEA may use funds available under this part only for projects
that are designed and implemented to meet the special
educational needs of educationally deprived children.
Example: This regulation has resulted in Chapter I
students being segregated from the general school
population.
200.43 What comparability of services requirements apply to this
program?
An LEA may receive funds under this part only if, on &
districtwide or grade span basis, the LEA uses state and local
funds to provide services in project areas that, taken as a
whole, are at least comparable to services being provided in
school attendance areas that are not receiving funds under this
part.
Example: This regulation may prevent Chapter I funds
from being used to restructure a school program in the
event that services in the school being restructured
have never been comparable to non-Chapter I schools.
XEROA TELECUPTER 290 3-24-90, 0.16 FM; ro-Sul 311 1302
00
SEP 07 '89 17:10 GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AR.
P.4
200.44 What supplament, not supplant requirement applies to
this program?
An LEA may use funds available under this part only to
supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of
non-Federal funds that would, in the absence of funds under this
part, be made available for the education of pupils
participating in Chapter 1 projects, and in no case may funds
available under this part be used to supplant those non-Federal
funds.
Example: Because of this regulation, Chapter I funds
could not be used to meet state standards or state
requirements. Chapter I students are sometimes
segregated and supplies and squipment provided with
Chapter I funds can only be used for Chapter I students.
CHAPTER II
(sec. 1571) Public Law 100-297
Federal Funds Supplementary - A state or local educational
agency may use and allocate funds received under this chapter
only so as to supplement and, to the extent practical, increase
the level of funds that would, in the absence of Federal funds
made available under this chapter, be made available from
non-Federal sources, and in no case may such funds be used ao as
to supplant funds from non-Federal sources.
Example: Chapter II funds cannot be used to meet state
standards. Local funds must be used first and supplemented with
Chapter II funds.
THE GOVERNORS' 1991 REPORT ON EDUCATION
RESULTSIN
EDUCATION:
198719881989
19901991
NATIONAL
GOVERNORS'
ASSOCIATION
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 12, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER A
SUBJECT:
Public Perceptions About America's Schools
This is the first in a series of background memorandums on
education as you prepare for the Education Summit Conference
with Governors. This memorandum focusses on the attitudes of
the American public toward education.
The American public overwhelmingly is committed to a
quality education system. A 1988 Gallup poll showed that 88
percent of the public believes that "developing the best
educational system in the world" is "very important" to Ameri-
can strength over the next twenty-five years. By contrast,
only 65 percent felt that "developing the most efficient
industrial production system" was very important and only 47
percent felt that "building the strongest military force" was
very important.
At the same time, the public expresses general satisfaction
with the performance of the schools their children are
attending and a feeling that educational trends are moving in
the right direction. A widespread assumption exists among
policy makers that American schools are performing poorly and
the public senses that there is a national problem with
education in general. This is somewhat analogous to the
public's view of Congress. While the institution of Congress
is generally held in low esteem, individual Congressmen are
quite popular in their own districts.
Level of Satisfaction
The 1989 Gallup Poll on Education revealed that the more
familiar Americans are with schools, the more pleased they are.
This fact manifests itself in two ways. First, satisfaction
rises as people have more first-hand knowledge of the school
system. Second, people are happier about their local schools
than about schools in general.
1. Parents with children in the public schools are far
more supportive of their schools than non-parents.
The Gallup poll asked respondents to grade their local public
schools on an A,B,C,D,F scale. As the following table indi-
cates, local public school parents were the most positive
about the schools their children attended. The next most
-2-
favorable reaction came from public school parents about the
public schools in general. Adults with no school age children
ranked their local public schools the least favorably.
Grades Given Schools by Parents and Other Adults
A or B
C
D or F
Grade given by parents to
school their oldest child
71
19
6
attended
Grade given by parents to
local schools generally
57
29
13
Grade given by other adults
to local schools generally
38
34
16
2. People are more pleased with the schools in their
town than they are with the situation at schools
in the nation as a whole.
The most favorable comments about schools were in regard to the
local public school system. Respondents gave much lower grades
to the public schools in the nation as a whole.
Grades Given Local Schools vs. Schools Nationally
A or B
C
D or F
Grade given local public
schools
43
35
15
Grade given public schools
nationally
22
47
19
3. When asked how much confidence they have in the
nation's institutions, people rate schools relatively
high.
Forty-nine percent of all respondents said they had a "great
deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the public schools. By
contrast, the most confidence expressed was in churches in
which 59 percent expressed a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of
confidence. Only 35 percent expressed as much confidence in
Congress, only 27 percent in television, and only 25 percent in
big business.
-3-
Trends: Moving in the Right Direction
While many policy makers believe our schools are in
decline, the public in general thinks our schools are
improving.
1. Survey data suggest that people think that the schools
in their community have improved over the last 5 years.
Among the entire population, 29 percent feel that the schools
have gotten better while 19 percent feel that they have gotten
worse. That 29-19 margin in 1988 is up from 25-22 in 1987.
Furthermore, parents of public school children, who should be
the most sensitive to any change, feel that things have gotten
better by a 39-16 percent margin. Even those whom one would
imagine would be most skeptical, parents of children in non-
public schools, feel that the public schools are getting better
by a 36-25 percent margin. Those people least sensitive to any
changes, adults with no school age children, are also least
likely to see improvement.
2. Adults see the education of today's children as being
better than their own education.
Among all adults, the margin seeing today's education as better
is 48-35. Among those with children currently in public school
the margin is 58-31. Even those with children outside the
public schools see a substantial improvement, by a margin of
54-38. Again, those least sensitive to the current school
environment are those who are the least positive. People with
no school age children think things have gotten better by a
margin of 44-37.
Furthermore, this sense of generational improvement has
developed within the last 10 years. In 1979, adults felt that
the education of children that year was worse than that which
they received by a margin of 42-41.
Conclusion
These data contain both good news and bad news. On the one
hand, the public is more satisfied than one might think about
the quality of their schools. Unfortunately, this satisfaction
may make it more difficult to convince people that significant
changes are needed. Future memos will provide you with data
indicating that the current attainment levels of America's
school children are a serious matter for concern.
The survey results also suggest the public feels that the
reforms of recent years are having a positive impact on the
nation's schools. Many of these reforms emphasized your goals
of choice, excellence, accountability, and targeting the needy.
The second memo in this series will highlight public attitudes
toward specific reform initiatives.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 12, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER
SAF
SUBJECT:
Public Attitudes Toward Education Reform
Initiatives
This is the second in a series of background memorandums on
education as you prepare for the Education Summit Conference
with Governors. The recently released 21st Annual Gallup Poll
on Education (1989) indicates growing public support for
"tradition-shattering changes" in education policies. Much of
this support reinforces the principles of excellence, choice,
accountability, and targeting the needy that you have
consistently articulated.
The 1989 Gallup poll produced seven significant findings
regarding public attitudes toward changes in our educational
system.
1. The public believes by a 2 to 1 margin (60% - 31%)
that parents and students have the right to choose
which schools in the community students attend.
The 1989 poll shows that a majority of the public supports
parental choice. This is true of all demographic groups and in
all geographic areas. The concept has greatest support among
non-whites (67% favor) and young adults (67% favor).
A majority of the public (51%) believes that choice would
improve some schools while hurting others, 21% believe choice
would improve all schools, and 14% believe choice would hurt
all schools. Many of the people answering the poll (two-
fifths) believe that choice would improve student achievement.
Only 10% believe it would lower achievement and 42% believe
there would not be much difference. Parental choice is state
law in at least three states.
2. Those with the ability to attend college should be able
to do so, regardless of financial status.
Four-fifths of the public supports more state or federal
assistance for those academically qualified and desiring to
attend college. More scholarships or grants, work/study
programs, and low-interest loans are strongly and equally
supported (94%, 94%, and 93%, respectively).
-2-
3. A significant majority (83%) of the public believes
that more needs to be done to improve schools in
poorer states and communities.
Nearly three-fifths of the public believes that the nation's
inner-city schools have "gotten worse over the last several
decades. Nearly three-fourths believe it is "very important"
to improve the quality of these schools.
The majority of the public would be willing to spend more tax
money for youth-oriented programs in low-income communities:
- Almost three-fourths support increased funding for
screening young children for health problems.
- Over two-thirds support increased funding for Head Start
programs.
4. The public believes that the U.S. should have national
goals and standards for education (70% ), national
public school curricula (69%) ; and national testing
programs to measure achievement (77%)
The Gallup polls have shown since 1978 that the public supports
the tradition of local control of schools. This year the
question about local control was not asked. Instead the
question in this portion of the interview dealt with national
goals, standards, etc. and revealed considerable support for
such national standards. This result may point to increasing
support for national direction in education policy.
The following table reflects the response of those interviewed
when asked whom they thought should establish national goals.
Who Should Establish National Standards and Goals
Professional educators
61%
Panel of parents and other lay people
20%
The President and Congress
5%
A consensus of state governors
3%
Others/Don't Know,
11
5. The public favors by a 2 to 1 margin (61% - 30%)
community service as a requirement for high school
graduation.
-3-
The question of whether community service should be an option
in public schools was asked in 1978 and in 1984 and both times
resulted in an even higher approval rating -- 87% in 1978 and
79% in 1984.
6. The public also favors policies to increase accounta-
bility at the school level and to lengthen the school
year and school day.
Over three-fifths of the public supports giving principals
greater authority over school operations and financially
rewarding those schools making the greatest progress.
For the first time in the series of Gallup polls, a greater
percentage would favor than oppose increasing the amount of
time students spend in school (48% to 44%).
7. The main reason most parents want their children to get
an education is to improve their chances of getting a
good job or improve their earning capability. "To
become better citizens" and other quality of life
reasons rank far behind.
Reasons Parents Want Education for their Children
Job opportunities/better job
33%
Better life
25%
Financial security
15%
Personal development
7%
To become better citizens
5%
To contribute to society
2%
Conclusion
The results of the 21st Annual Gallup Poll on Education
clearly indicate that the public supports a variety of educa-
tion reform initiatives. Among these is greater parental
choice, the beginning of a process to define national goals,
and increased efforts to improve the quality of inner-city
schools.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 14, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER
RBP
SUBJECT:
International Comparisons in Education
This is the third in a series of background memorandums on
education as you prepare for the Education Summit Conference with
the Governors. Much attention has focused on the apparent
decline in the educational attainment of America's students
relative to those of other advanced industrialized nations. A
recent international comparison of educational achievement
levels, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP,
pronounced nape) international study, suggested that if major
strides are not made toward improving our schools, the U.S. may
face a grim future as a competitor in an increasingly technical
global economic environment.
This memorandum considers some of the disturbing evidence of
our international performance as well as outlining the strengths
of our educational system. It then considers some of the main
differences in educational approach between the United States and
our economic competitors.
Disturbing Evidence
1. The U.S. placed last in mathematics and in the bottom
group in science in a comparison of U.S. 13-year-old
students with their peers in 11 nations and 4 Canadian
provinces.
For example, only 40 percent of U.S. students could perform a
two-step math problem VS. 78 percent of Korean students and
about 60 percent of students in most countries.
In the science tests, only 42 percent of U.S. 13-year-olds were
able to analyze experiments, compared with 73 percent in Korea
and about 58 percent in most countries.
2. Particularly disturbing is evidence that the gap between
U.S. students and those in other countries increased as
students progressed through the educational system.
In the fifth grade, the U.S. ranked eighth out of 15 countries in
science. By the ninth grade, the U.S. had dropped to third from
the bottom. By the time students left the system, in grade 12,
the U.S. students scored an average ranking of 11th out of 13.
By the 12th grade, even average Japanese students were outscoring
the top 5 percent of U.S. students in college preparatory math.
We were lowest overall in algebra skills and among the lowest in
calculus.
3. U.S. students also performed poorly in the social sciences
such as geography.
Our students ranked 7th out of 9 nations in their ability to
identify places on a world map. Surprisingly, our young adults
who were fresh out of school were less able to identify places
than were people aged 55 and over.
Strengths of the U.S. Educational System
1. At the very top of the educational ladder, our top
research universities are the envy of the world.
Each year 360,000 foreign students attend school in America.
More than 20 percent of our science Ph.D.s, nearly half of our
mathematics Ph.D.s and nearly 60 percent of our engineering
Ph.D.s are granted to citizens of other nations.
2. The emphases in this country on equal access and on
providing educational opportunity are widely viewed as
models to be copied by other nations.
In Japan and France, students are steered into educational
streams that narrow the types of careers they may pursue. In
West Germany, a child's academic future may be decided by age
ten. Nearly twice the proportion of young adults enroll in post
secondary education in America compared to other developed
countries.
Our system is also quite tolerant of students who try and fail,
and then try again. For example, in 1986 roughly 1 million
students did not graduate with their class. But, in the same
year, 428,000 Americans received High School General Equivalency
Degrees (GEDs). This indicates that nearly half of all dropouts
may return and get their degrees at some point in their lives.
3. The U.S. system of higher education is a model of
flexibility, individuality, and choice.
The Japanese National Council on Education Reform recently
stressed "the importance of increasing individuality, choice, and
flexibility throughout the educational system" in Japan. Our
system's tolerance of students who change course during their
educational career is crucial to allowing creativity and
individual development.
Currently one college student in six is over age 35. By 1997,
that fraction is expected to rise to almost one in four.
What Do Other Countries Do That We Can Learn From?
1. Parental involvement is crucial to improving the
performance of students.
In Korea, students are given two sets of textbooks on their first
day of classes: one for themselves and one for their parents.
Survey data indicate that American mothers are more likely than
Japanese or Taiwanese mothers to believe that school success is
determined primarily by innate ability.
2. The quantity of time devoted to learning and the
expectations set for student accomplishment and discipline
play a major role.
Taiwanese students spend 40.4 hours per week and Japanese
students spend 32.6 hours per week in the classroom. In the U.S.
students average only 19.6 hours per week in the classroom.
Sixty-two percent of U.S. students reported having less than one
hour of math homework per week. This contrasts with only 32
percent of Korean students who have so little homework.
3. Students in competing countries are exposed to more
rigorous academic curricula than in the U.S. Students
cannot learn what they haven't been taught.
In the eighth grade, U.S. students are still learning arithmetic
while Japan provides an intensive treatment in calculus. By the
latter secondary grades, U.S. students are learning algebra while
Japanese students are learning calculus. Only one-fifth of
advanced U.S. math students take calculus in high school. Nearly
all advanced students in other countries take calculus.
In Japan, about 11 percent of 17- and 18-year-old students are
enrolled in physics courses. In the U.S. only one percent take
physics.
4. Money is not the answer. The U.S. spends far more than
most other countries on educating its students.
For example, the U.S. spends about 60 percent more than Japan on
each student and nearly 15 times more than Korea does on each
student.
Last year, the U.S. spent 6.8 percent of its GNP on education.
The comparable figure for Japan was 5.1 percent. Germany,
France, and the United Kingdom all spent smaller portions of
their GNPs on education than did the U.S.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 16, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER
RBP
SUBJECT:
Presidential Conferences for Governors
This is the fourth in a series of background memorandums as
you prepare for the Education Summit Conference with the
Governors. Given that much attention has focused on the fact
that this is only the third time the President has convened the
Nation's governors for a conference, you may find of interest a
brief review of the first two conferences.
Theodore Roosevelt: May 13-15, 1908
The first conference was convened by Theodore Roosevelt to
discuss the use and abuse of America's natural resources. It
was held in the East Room of the White House and consisted of
three days of morning and afternoon sessions.
The first day dealt with mineral resources; the second day
concentrated on land resources; and the third day was devoted
to water resources. The transcript of the conference suggests
that it was formal and often quite technical.
Those attending included the President, the Cabinet, the
Supreme Court, the Congress, the Governors and their advisors,
certain special guests such as William Jennings Bryan and
Andrew Carnegie, and representatives of several score national
organizations. All in all forty-four governors and some 500
participants crowded into the East Room for the sessions.
At the conclusion of the conference, according to the
newspaper reports we have consulted, several governors
suggested that: (1) the conference underscored the need for
cooperation among the federal, state, and local governments;
(2) a valuable product of the conference was the opportunity it
provided for personal contact among governors who were
geographically spread across the Continent; and (3) the
conference greatly helped to focus national attention on
conservation as a problem and a challenge.
Interestingly, the conference did not attempt to produce a
communique or summary statement. President Roosevelt suggested
in his address that there ought to be a committee on
resolutions, an idea that seems to have caught the Governors by
-2-
surprise. The conference proceedings contain no references to
any resolution or documents emerging from the conference.
Several newspaper accounts of the sessions are attached at
Tab A.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: March 6, 1933
On February 7, 1933, less than a month before he was to
take office, President-elect Roosevelt invited the Governors of
all the states to a conference on national problems. He chose
the date of March 6, the Monday following his Saturday
inaugural, because so many governors would be in Washington for
his swearing-in.
Roosevelt originally envisioned the conference as
concentrating on a variety of subjects from conflicting federal
and state taxation to unemployment relief, from mortgage
foreclosures to reorganizing and consolidating local
governments. He invited them to assemble at 11:00 a.m. and to
spend the remainder of the day discussing these subjects. He
saw it as an informal meeting.
By the time March 6 arrived the subject of banking
moratoriums dominated the national agenda. Roosevelt, who
planned on attending the entire conference, was SO pressed by
other events that he did not even prepare a speech in advance
and spoke extemporaneously.
Twenty-five governors attended and twelve others were also
represented. Roosevelt stayed for a two hour morning session
and a luncheon. The governors resumed their meeting at 2:00
p.m. with a format that permitted five minute speeches by each
of the participants.
The conference did produce a "pledge of support" for the
President "in this anxious hour of a national emergency in our
banking and economic life." The conference did pass a series
of resolutions supporting the President's plan for better land
utilization, endorsing the substitution of work-relief for
direct relief (the concept of workfare has been with us for a
long time), and calling on the Congress to grant the President
emergency powers. Several newspaper accounts and other
documents relating to this conference are attached at Tab B.
But, largely as a result of events beyond his control, the
March 6 conference held by Franklin Roosevelt did little beyond
demonstrate the need for national unity in dealing with the
economic crisis he faced.
c
6
They looked around at one another, how-
GOVERNORS CHEER
over, as If uncertain just what to do.
Finally Gov. John Johnson came- to the
resoue with & motion. to appoint the come
mittee named by the President. At the
ROOSEVELT'S TALK
afternoon session the President gave
Johnson his reward by announcing that
be would call on the Minnesota man to
preside when he was not present himself.
At that there was a lively clapping of
He Tells Them Conservation of
hands from all over the room, the Re-
All Natural Resources Needs
publican Governors giving Johnson the
hand heartily. The President grinned as
One Coherent Plan.
If he had been caught injecting politics
into the game where it should not have
been. Then he grinned some more and
said: And I am sure we all shall be glad
PUTS JOHNSON IN CHAIR
to hear anything Mr. Bryan cares to say.
Loud applause greeted that and Bryan
walked to the front and talked to the
Carnegie Pleads for More Careful Hus-
President in a stage whisper.
Whereupon Mr. Roosevelt said:
banding of Coal and Iran, Which
Mr. Bryan prefers to wait until nearer
He Bays Are Being Wasted.
the close of the conference."
Two Important Ideas.
Two ideas resulted from the conference:
Special to The New York Times.
The first is that a permanent organiza-
WASHINGTON. May 18.-The confer-
tion between the States and the Nation
ence of Governors on the conservatio
is necessary, and will probably result from
of natural resources got under full swing
the present conference, to accomplish the
at the White House this morning. They
end sought. The second, suggested by
crowded the East Room and listened to
Secretary Root, is that there is no limita-
a speech by the President with some of
tion by the Constitution to the agreements
the old-time ring In IL The Governors
which may be made between the States,
had been sufficiently warmed up by the
subject to the approval of Congress. The
weather before they reached the White
two ideas fully developed, it is predicted,
House to be ready for anything demand-
would result in the conservation of the
ing enthusiasm, and they applatided the
energies and resources of the nation
President with non-partisan liberality.
through uniform and unconflicting laws,
When he declared his Intention to con-
both National and State.
tinue the Inland Waterways Commission
Forty-four Governors and 500 other per-
and make It permanent whether Congress
sons taxed the capacity of the East Room.
The others were Cabinet officers, Su-
makes an appropriation for its expenses
preme Court Justices. Senators, Repre-
or not, there was vigorous cheering.
sentatives, experts in bill lines of Indus-
After delivering his speech, the Presi-
try. President Roosevelt's fifty-minute
dent brought the conference right down
speech was many times interrupted by ap-
plause, and when he finally reached his
to business by suggesting that there ought
point of praise of the Inland Waterways
to be a committee on resolutions, and
Commission, the Governors stood up and
shouted.
incidentally naming them. Then he paused
to give the Governors opportunity to sec-
and the motion.
NEW UNION.
It to not difficult to ... that Presi-
But the sew civilisation, with its
dent ROOSEVELT regards his speech,
beightened ttandards and Its vastly
delivered yesterday at the opening of
augmented consumption of natural
the Conference on the Conservation of
products, has thus far submisted ac-
Natural Resources. as quite the most
cording to the primitive principle of
mementous of his public addresses. The
destruction.
The coal and Iron de-
convocation of the Governors of all the
posits, the
primeval forests and the
States-for the first time in our history
fortile
aqila.
originally thought Inex-
-with the President. the Benators and
haustible. will not endure the hundred.
Representatives in Congress. the Cab-
gold demands of the Nation's growth
Inet, and the Supreme Court, he com-
without the application of a new princi-
pares with that gathering at Phila-
pie ple-conservation. Hence there appears
delphis. its President George WASH-
in Washington this week. along with
пготом, the estoome of which " was
the State dismitaries whose predeces-
the Constitution which made the States
sore made Independence Hall historic.
late a Nation." He observes that, in
a sroup of sdentific advisers to whose
its elemental conception. the gathering
teachings our foreboars would have
of the Fathers was "merely a water-
Inclined astonished ears. These then
ways conference." and traces the Idea
know best how to utilise our mineral
of the Federal Union to Its origin in
fuels and alloys. doorsed. even with
the desire of the States most advan.
their care, to dissipation. And they
tageously ed use their natural ro-
will tell UR. what the founders never
sources. In affect Mr. ROOSEVELY de-
dreamed. that with the heritage of the
clares that the meeting this week at
forests half destroyed and with the
Washington may and should result in
salls Impoverished by recklare tillage
the formation of a new Union. based
and failure to check eroston. they may
upon a civilisation superior to that
be restored. enriched, and even made
which gave birth to the Republic.
more productive while the farmer and
We are the ancients, was Hir FRANCIS
the forester crop them. The deatrts and
BACON'S dictum. We should be greater
the awamps shall bloom again.
than the so-called ancients. who were
From a Nation born of a plan that
the Inexpert spirits of a callow age.
exhausts the resources of the States,
The President points out that during
President RECEIVELY prays for a re-
the century and a qt ter of our Na-
birth in a Undon formed of a coherent
Nonal existence Industrial progress has
and ce-ordjusted plan of thrift, In
exceeded that of the preceding 6,000
the past." the President says, we have
years, while ithe times of the founders
admitted the right of the individual to
were not essentially different from the
injure the fature of the Republic for
age of the first Phoenician sailing
his own present profil" His words
ships, of the Pharachan mines, of the
should mark% change and a better are.
Ninevehan and Sidonian merchantry. of
Athens with Its wooden walls, and
Rome with 180 imperial postroads.
GOVERNORS WANT
MORE CONFERENCES
They Plan to Meet Regularly to
Obtain Uniformity of
Legislation.
TO CONSIDER DIVORCE LAWS
James Ji Hill Says Wasting of Natural
Resources Involves Political as
Well as Economic Future.
Special 10 The New York Times.
Roosevelt Running Conference.
WASHINGTON, May 14.-If there was
Mr. Roosevelt went on running the cor.-
anything lacking to demonstrate Presi-
ference in his own way to-day, without
let or hindrance from any of the Govern-
dent Rogeevelt's complete mastery of the
ors. YCO opened the session. and soon
conference of Governors it was supplied
afterward called Gov. John Johnson to the
this morning by Gov. Glenn, the militant
chair. with the announcement that he had
Executive of North Carolina, who last
selected Gov. Deneen of Illinois to pre-
side during his absence at the afternoon
year was angaged in a hot contest with
Bession.
the Federal Government over the su-
The "big" speech of the morning was
premacy of State or Federal railroad laws.
delivered by James J. Hill. who made a
Gov. Glenn made the speech of the con-
solld Impression by the figures of National
ference. and from first to last it was an
waste which he produced.
The Governors are gotting better a.o-
appeal for National support on a questión
quainted, the men accompanying them
in hich North Carolina is vitally inter-
are finding out who's who, and the nov-
ented-the White Mountain and Appalach-
elty of actually doing business in the
lan forest reserve proposition. The North
White House is wearing off. so that there
Carolina Governor wanted the confer-
is a readler disposition to jump in and
ence to do something that would make
6
have one's own say on questions of spe-
Congress pass the pending bill right off
clal interest. Gov. Johnson has a nim-
the hat: The Governors and their ad-
bio tongue, which helps out for a presid-
visers. were with him enthusiastically, and
ing officer. He made one sally which
applauded every period.
set the hole crowd off. It came after
At a banquet last night Speaker Can-
the close of Mr. Hill's speech.
non had suggested that the States inter-
Referring to what Mr. Hill had said
ested In this project should get together,
bout the air as a beneficial agent in
and by & confederation of their own ob.
agriculture. Gov., Johnson said:
tain the result they are aiming at, with-
with a conference like this, which
out calling for Federal assistance. Gov.
brings $10 many politicians together, there
Glenn took up that suggestion, and near-
ought to be plenty of hot air."
ly rained the roof by nis reply.
"We tried a confederation once down
our way," he cried. and It didn't pay."
The assembled Governors fairly whooped
their appreciation of that. They fired
a few hats in the air and generally let
loose emphatic signs of approval.
a
Governors Faver Plans.
The Governors are greatly pleased with
their onference. and are already working
to make such meetings a regular thing
hereafter. They are satisfied to let the
President go on running this one to suit
himself but there is a growing under-
current In favor of getting away from
White SCouse influence in subsequent
meetings. and have them in fact as well
as name conferences of Governors. The
idea of conservation of natural resources
has raught them all, and there is now an
overwhelming sentiment among them In
favor especially of the Administration's
forestry policy. They are for the existing
reserver, and more, too.
The Work of New York.
But they are also talking of the bene-
J. S. Whipple, Forest. Fish and Game
fits that may he derived from such con-
Commissioner of New York enthused the
ferences in the way of efforts to obtain
conference with a brief statement of the
uniform legislation along other lines. Uni-
work beltig done by the Empire State
toward the preservation of its forest. He
formity of marriage and divorce laws.
preceded this with the remark that within
with uniform extradition laws, appeal to
twenty-two or twenty-three years. unless
the Governors very strongly. At the close
preservation methods were continued.
there would not be a sawing stick of
of the official conference this afternoon
timber standing In that State. He said
there was a little informal meeting ut-
that Now York had planted more trees
tended by about R dozen Governors. at
than all other States and the National
Government combined.
which a committee of three, Folk of Min-
Gov. Fort of New Jersey gave a very
sourl Sheldon of Nebraska. and Wilson
satisfactory account of the forestry work
of Kertucky. was appointed to canvass
being done in his State.
The climax of the morning session wast
the subject and make recommendations
produced by Gov. Glenn of North Caro-
as to what should be done for the future.
lina, who made a vigorous appeal for
Gov. Fort has already invited the Gov-
action by the conference which would
Impel Congress to pass at this session a
ernors 10 hold their conference of next
bill providing for the Appelachian and
year ab Atlantic City. and Gov. Wilson
White Mountain forest preserves.
At the afternoon session Gov. Deneen
has asked them to come to Louisville.
of Illinois presided. Ex-Gov. Pardee of
The afternoon seasion furnished a diver-
California made an address on "Ro
sion when Gov. Gooding of I bo, who
sources Related to Irrigation."
is a stanch Roosevelt man on IT: st things.
tackled the Government reclamation ser-
vice and hit It some bard cracks. He con-
tended for the right of the States to do
the roclamation work for themselves,
under the Carey act, and declared that
they did it a great deal more matisfac-
torily than the Government. He cited two
cases in his own State to prove his con-
tentions
On the Minidoka project, Government
work. there have been 787 entries and
822 transfers, principally because the not-
there could not make good under the con-
ditional But on the Twin Falls project, a
private enterprise under the State. there
have been only about 15 per cent. of
transfers.
The speech of James J. Hill. head of the
Directorate of the Great Northern Rail-
way, was a notable address.
THE WASTE OF RESOURCES.
According to the gentlermen who have
This in a protty bail showing. Noth-
The best Augury of all is the assem-
addressed the Conference of Governors
Ing but our National optimism would
bling of the Governors and wise men
It the White House, our National re-
enable 49 to stand up against It. for
of the Nation for a talk upon the sub.
sources are going. going." and, If we
as population increases. and there will
Ject of economic waste under the roof of
continue our prodigal use of them. they
be 200,000,000 of us long before the
the White House. Much as Mr. ROOME-
will been be gone." From the sea.
end of this century. the consumption of
VELT has done. we are inclined to think
says Mr. JAMES J. HILL. from the
natural resources will. of course, In.
that this will go down In history as
mine, from the forest and the moll.
crease. We remember, though. that
his greatest service to the Nation.
must be gathered everything that can
while we have been sapping this Con.
Deeply Interested himself, he has
sustain the life of man. As in the sea.
tinent less than 800 years. and making
awakened the Interest of the distin-
not being a fisherman, Mr. HILL had
rerious inroads upon its natural wealth
guished men who sit under his Chair-
anthing to say. But we an know that
less than half A century, In other lands
manchip. He dominates the meeting
men acquainted with the fisheries are
the human has contrived to get
He Inspires, directs, organizes. works
approhensive that no are 100 rapidly
along through thousands of years.
himself, and is the potent cause of
ssing up that source of food supply.
That thought to not allogether reassur-
working In others. The fact that we
As to the forests, Mr. HILL points out
Ins. wince we are greater consumers
are too rapidly approaching the limit
that we have less than 2,000 billion
than men of other landa For Instance,
of supply In the Nation's resources
leet of merchantable timber left. and
we use 300 feel. board measure. of our
gets a boundless publicity through this
our ajinual "ift In about 40 billion foot.
timber per capita annually. as against
conference. Every man In the Nation
Once In sevent years our draft upon our
about 00 rest for all of Europe. Evi-
will be put on notice that It is time to
supply of Iron ore In the mine 18
Cently we must de something about 11.
practice economy. that we must con-
joubled. The present rate of consump-
The really encouraging fact is that
trive somehow to operate the Indus-
tion la shout $0,000,000 tons a year.
we have begus . do something. We
tries of the United States without so
and in forty YEARS, Mr. HILL assures
have bingus to take thought. and not
eating Into the store of products that
as, we shall at that rute approach the
meraly take thought but to take so-
keep them going. Every farmer, every
and of all the higher grade ore In large
tion. for husbanding and restoring the
mine owner, every great producing
Reposits now In sight. Uncle Ham will
resources of the mine, the soil, and the
corporation will hear this warning. and
10011 not be rich enough to give us all
forest. Up to a time still very recent.
wherever there is Intelligence and the
1 farm. for " have of public lands
we have made upo of all that nature
right spirit It will be heeded. It to
only $0,000,000 arres, surveyed. and
supplied with a barbario prodigality,
really a work of the highest patriotism
$6,500 acres of unsurveyed on
and with as littlegregard for the future
that has been undertaken at the White
hand. Last year 21 000,000 acres were
as was ever shown by primitive man
House.
Disposed of Take the soll-that great
or by more recead savages. Now we
source we had supposed was not ex-
are beginning to be saving, The edu-
posel to diminishment But Mr CAR-
tation of the public for the avoidance
MENIE SAYS more than a thousand
million tone. of our richest soll are
swept Into the Beu every year. clogging
and shecking of forest fires to as Illus-
the rivers and obstructing harbors.
tration of the new spirit The tm-
That " know, of course, when we
mensely valuable work of the Gevers-
come in think nf 11 The guilled old
ment in the Department of Forestry is
Helds of the Nouth tall the story Cop.
another. When our forefathers were
per In a niret useful metal. and 48
cutting down the vast white plas belt
Gave & grunt dists! of 11. but production
that stretched from New England to
does not keep up with demand, which
Minnesota. they took no thought of re-
would be doubled or tripled "If the price
forestation. Now the lesson is taught
could be reduced as per ent.
us that & foreat is not like a cake that
Worse that all is the stupid and
when eaten la gone forever: it can un-
wasteful any in which "" make UNIT of
der intelligent methods be continued in
tome of our resources notably the moll.
existence or restored for the use of
Air HILL points out that the average.
future generations. Btill more valu-
annual production per acre In the
able is the work of educating our
whole United Minies is only $11
farmers in the Intelligent cultivation of
Even 19 Kansks. that great wheat
the nott. In that work. which la now
State the airrase yield per acro for
no well performed by the Government.
the last ten your was 11 18 bushels.
there 18 promise of an increase of the
It ought to be :X) bushels T., use land
National wealth quite beyond compu-
in that way 14 like loaning money at 1
tation. afr CARNEGIS and Mr. MITCH-
per cent when!!! per cent unit be
P.I.L. both gave hints for the conserve.
bad for the asking Mr MITCHALL and
Uon of the roal supply. It is criminal
Mr. CARNEGIE agree that our coal sup-
WASTE to burn coal in such a manner
DIY will be exhausted within 200 years.
that MA get but 5 per cent. of Its po.
All the expering declaim against our
tential energy Inventive genius has
amazingly unintelligent polley toward
been at work for yours upon this prob.
the warerways. (which threaten. many
lern, and there is promise of a marked
of them. to run dry because of the 1e.
advance toward its solution. We shall
moval of the forests.
hardly need adopt Mr. MITCHELL'S
remedy of asking a higher price for
coml. If we can devise means of making
!t do 75 per cent. of the work of which
11 is capable.
W
KAT has been described by one
thing for M to knew one another. I
of tue members as the most im-
believe It will result is a permanent an-
portant gathering that has asserabled
musl meeting of the Governors which will
the United States si&ce the Consti-
extend to the consideration of legislation
aleng other lines than natural resources,
tutional Cervention has just ended its
scabiling the Gevernors to assertain how
Street seculon. This was the senference
new legislation on corporate regulation
Gevernors held in Washington and
and other matters works to the States
according to one of up State execu-
wherever it exists. This will be exceeding-
three 18 has already developed the
ly useful in preventing the adoption of
spirit of the community of interests of
bad laws and in premeting uniferedity is
entire country has brought the
good 0004
the
Gevernors of the Stated in touch with
Secially, the conference. under the
splendid leadwrship of the Prevident, has
check other as no other meeting had
been delightful"
over dema has taught the extent of the
patural resources of the land, the man-
ser in which they have been wasted.
GOV. SWANSON OF VIRGINIA.
has brought about a better understand.
Gov. Swanson of Virginia mid:
DE between the National and the State
"I have been very much pleased with
authorities and given . clearer insight
the success of the conference and the
- the needs of future development.
wisdom of the President ta calling It to-
Many of the Gevernors were mar-
wether. Nothing will tend more toward
viewed for THE TIMES What they
good feeling to all sections of the Union
than such conferences. It produces a
said about the conference to M for
broadar patrietiers, a knowner appreciation
tower
of the needs and advantages of the die-
(erent sections. and tends to create & co-
gov. FORT OF NEW JERSEY.
operation of the State and Federal Gov.
ok FORT of New Jersey said:
ernments which are very necessary for
G
M This semference emables the Ger-
the program and prosperity of the Nation
stoole of the various States to learn
M & whole
quality what other States are doing to
-= property esaducted and considered
oryatallise their views for recommends-
It will land to create more afficiency to
time 10 the Legislatures: and to adopt the
the State and Federal Governments, and
best machine as shown by their operation
to confine their functions within their
. other States.
proper Limits, I think a frequent calling
The forestry discussion showed that
of sepferences of this kind would be very
Av. State had started on this rebject,
nonaficial " furnishes a great doal of
and demonstrated that State commissions
information to all of us, and amphasizes
with a State Perenter would make It prac-
the Recessity of joint setion as impor-
des) to detablish forest reservations, 10
want matters.
provide young trees for planting. and to
"I think that if our resperces as named
Years the individual owner of the forest
by the President are being emhausted
lands bew best to develop them. The
as rapidly M clussed. and the further
- thing to true with regard to the con-
use of these resources should be re-
tion: of water and the Irrigation
strained or centrolled. it would be very
problem.
wise for the Federal Government to TO-
The arqualstanceshlp which bas come
peal the high tariff upon these varied re-
among 150 Outerbers as a result of this
sources, which compels home consumption
resference 16 Inveluable It la a splendid
and exhaustion It would seem that a
TREY efficient remedy could be provided
very promptly If the Federal Government
would permit such resources as are being
exhausted to be brought to from other
countries. The Federal Government oc-
cupies the rather unrenable position of
kaving the voice of Jacob and the hand of
Fass By raice It deplares the consump-
Uon of these resources, and yet by tariff
laws uses its hands vigereusly for that
purpose.
This conference has abown a necessity
for tariff reform which I expect are long
to see sweep the country."
GOV. NOEL OF MISSISSIPPI.
G
ov. EDMOND FAVOR NOEL of
Mississippi, one of the five members
of the President's Communittee se
Resolutions for the conference, said:
From the very beginning 1 was in
thorough accord with the general pur-
pases proposed for consideration and ad-
vancement by this conference of the Gov.
reason The information the ceaference
has imparted, after actual observation of
the conference has bet confirmed me is
JOHN F FORT,
that position.
The Federal Government to-
Governors of Various States Review What Has Been Actually Accom-
plished by the Conference Held in Washington-and
Outline Possible Action for the Future.
termediary, not only as between the
understanding Chrough heat such sender-
be other meeting has ever done, taught
States themselves but also as between
ences as this gathering."
them the extent of the natural resources
the States and foreign Governments.
of the land, the manner in which they
Through that source we can get the 03-
dov. WILLSON OF KENTUCKY.
have been wasted, the Reconsities of the
parience, the extent of the misfortune
which has befallen some of the older
States and foreign countries through their
G
OV. AUGUSTES E WILLSON of
various sections, and given them a better
Kentusky mid:
insight into what each State needs for Its
I have been very greatly Im-
future development.
failure to conserve and judiciously LM
pressed with the value of this associable.go
It also has given a better Kies of the
their natural resources.
of the Governors of the States. Parkape
relation of the State and the Nation. and
It was the best for the Federal Gen
ernment to have taken the lead to the
the easiest good that can be seen in It is
how they can operate together without
direction of this important movement and
the opportunity it affords us of getting 60-
any frietica or conflict. a my judgement
in its financial and material support. The
quainted with each other and of substi-
x these meetings are made annual there
we bereafter exist & better understanding
plans It develope. comprehensively cover-
tuting personal contact with the personal
representatives of the States for our to-
between the National and the State as
dividual notices of the States M district
from the people.
" Another very obvious chance for great
good in this kind of a meeting grows que
of the fact that while the National con
ernment has control over a limited sum-
ber of subjects those subjects 40 not by
any means embrace all or STOC a has
part. of the subjects which are just as
general and sommon to all of the Males
as are those problems which are parely
National in sharacter. For instasos,
there are Brate problems of marriage and
divorea. of contracts, of insurance, of
quarantine, for while the Federal Gerern-
ment deals with National quarantibe the
States have their www problems of quar
antine and other police regulations.
While the Governers to this conference
would have no legal jurisdiction over
those matters. their meetings. semier-
ences. exchanges of views, and discussions
can lead to very considerable progrèss to
ward standardising our laws in theme mar
tere of such universal interest.
I should net favor giving the com-
ference of Governers any legal pewere at
FRANK R GOODING,
all The general influence of common
Governor of Idaha.
sense and reason is to the long rus even
ROBERT B. GLENN,
of more effect than statutory law. While
Governor of North Carolina.
this meeting has been one of the very
ing the whole Caton cas be best carried
greatest pleasures to every Governer and
thorities. and all will be emabled to per-
out by the co-speration of the States,
their assistants who have had the good
form their several functions without any
counties, and municipalities.
facture to have & part to IL I believe that
infringement on their respective rights 1
believe that Congress should act
this is nestigible in comparison with the
very cernectly hope the meetings will be
held annually hareafter."
for the whole people and act promptly.
Hiberalizing of our views and the Seeling
to the extent of its powers in preventing
every Governer here has that be has
Turther waste of forest, raines, and water
learned something and will take SCENA-
GOV. JOHNSON OF MINNESOTA.
and that a commission. well sup-
thing home for the good of his people,
OV. JOHN 1 JOHNSON of Mass-
ported should be established and main-
Citimately there will be good results
I
sets said:
tained. and that its recommendations so
in almost every State vastly mete m-
far as meet the approved of our people
portant than the more pleasure α the of-
This is one of the greatest sivie gath-
and of Congress. should be heartity sup-
Octal meetings. I sincerely trust this will
erings the world has seen in many years.
ported
result in annual conferences of the Ger.
It is traught with great significance tos
No further delay should be had to ex-
srnors and I would be willing to attend
the States and the Nation, and will us.
them LA I have done 63 this occupies, at
doubtedly have a very far-reaching effect
tending the forest reserves, and appro-
of & beneficial character for both sides of
priations for improving our waterways
my own expense. for the value contained
and for surveys of land for purposes of
our dual form X Gevernment. II is my
La fast seck gatherings."
IT: gation and drainage should be largety
candid opinion that It will now be far
increased Mary of our waterways either
more valuable to the country than any-
COV. OLENN OF NORTH
constitute boundaries OT are materially
thing that we sould have extistpated in
affected so far as one State is concerned.
by its treatment to other States. The
G
OF. ROBERT B GLENN of Morth
the beginning of the movement; - mush
Carolina mid
se is Eact that I sincerely hope these com-
Federal Government controls all naviga-
farences will be continued by the SERCU-
is my judgment this is the greatest
b:e waters. It should make its costrol
thre officers of the States. Already this
meeting of any kind that has bean-had in
affective and beneficial as to all prob-
conference has developed the apirit a the
the United States since the meeting of the
able uses of such waters.
community of interests of the whole soun-
Constitutional Convention more (han, a
These are scale of the larger prob-
by which has been to aptly speken of in
century ago. It has brought the Geterners
Isms about which there as be a bector
the discussions of the other Gevernera,
X the States ta touch with sach other M
Out or X an Chara should come other
annual or Memnial meetings the execu-
They will however, CONDA The details
tive efficials of the States for the dis-
are & matter for the future. Education
eussion not meraly of problems of & gen-
will help them. The conservation of the
eral character which belong wholly and
water power of the country will probably
entirely to the realm of the Federal Gov-
take some time, but 11 can be remadied,
ernment, but for the consideration of
DO doubt by dama in tributary streams
problems that belong locally to the States,
and in other ways.
although general in their importance to
These conferences sught to be
I
the whole country, such as uniform mar-
frequently. This one has been very vale
risge and divorce laws, and the like. I
uable in bringing the Governors into
would not confine these meetings to the
touch with one another."
Governors alone. I would include the At-
torney Generals, who really know more
GOV. GOODING OF IDAHO.
about the laws of their States than any
other officials. and ether amoutive offs.
G
OV. FRANK R. GOODING of Idaho
said:
cars of the States in addition to the Gov.
"I have been very deepty -
ernors."
pressed with the sessions of this confeed
ance of the Governors, and the discussions
GOV. SHELDON OF NEBRASKA.
have moved me & areas deal In my hund
OV. GEORGE L SHELDON of No-
bis judgment no mas can parterm
G
branks said:
greater service to the country than
The first great result of this
throwing every possible assignard around
gathering of the Governors will be & gen-
the country's natural resources. Them
oral awakening of the American people
resources have usade us a mighty X&
to the vital importance of the conserve.
don. The work of conservation will last
tien of our natural resources, The fact
the foundation for an even greater XL
that this conference has been called by
tion In this steat work there is room
President Receivelt, that se many Gover.
enough for us all for the State and
ners have responded to his invitation, and
Nation alike All that relates to the
that It is the first α Its kiss over held
provement of the streams. can be
will have & marked effect upon public
done by the Federal Government The
opinion The American people have been
which relates to the forests can proble
too busy to come to a realigation of the
ably be best done by the States check
vital importance of the situation. They
selved, in accordance with & law of Cost
will new look into this matter and when
so far as inter State forestry week
they fully realise the needs of the case
La concerned. Idaho has done much
they will me & way to remedy the waste
this line and is & shining example
of our great natural resources.
what the States themselves can
- This conference has alreadly developed
Under the Carey act Idaho has pecial
a better feeling between the Governora.
more than 1,000,000 acres of land.
It has made them acquainted and this is
have built canals that will provide
certainly something that is best for an
gated And where homes can be estable
ceacerned. Again, the educational value
lished for 60,000 people. The works under
of the gathering will be inestimable. A
way to Idaho will Lif five years provide
steat educational movement will be the
irrigation canals for 1,000,000 acres and
first important parmit. We - all return
homes for 250,000 people 1 knew of ad
Lo our States and presch the doctrine of
reason why the States cannot develop
thatr own forests. This conference will
the conservation of these residurces. There
is work for the Federal Government to
be very valuable to bringing about becked
do, work for the States. and a deal of
relations between the States and the
individual work that must be performed
Federal Government.
The States and the Nation thust, set the
examples that are to be followed by In-
dividuals. The people of and of
future generations will learn just what
resources we have and how to make
the best uses of them. The first great
result of the Washington oxference wall
be largely educational and better rela-
tions between the States and the Federal
Government
GOV. HARRIS OF OHIO.
OV. ANDREW L HARRIS of Ohie
G
said:
I am glad President Rooserelt
called this conference of the Governora
It is going to result to great good. Pri-
marily # be gotts to be of as educational
value that will bring the people of the
entire country LO a. full realization of the
great loss the future will sustain DEL ao
count of the waste of our natural re-
seurces, unless remedial seven is takes.
- loss not only of water, but Mkewise of
coal, Iron ora. forests, acotion of soil,
and in other ways.
The remedies have KE yet been
AUGUSTUS E. WILLSON,
pointed eat, = a very general way.
Gevers
r
Kentucky,
by The New York Times Company.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1933.
*
#
+
TWO CENTS
La
New
York
THREE CENTS
FOUR CENTS Elsawhere Except
City.
Within 100 Miles
La TEM and stm Postal Leave
ROOSEVELT INVITES GOVERNORS MAR. 6
TO DRAFT NATIONAL RECOVERY PLANS;
SMITH URGES PUBLIC WORKS DICTATOR
Text of Roosevelt's Letter
FIVE MAJOR ISSUES LISTED
The text of President-elect Roosevelt's letter inviting the Gover-
nors of all the States to a conjerence on national problems follows:
49 East Sixty-fifth Street
White House Parley to
New York City
Stress Federal Relief
Because 50 many Governors will be In Washington on March 4,
I want to take that opportunity of holding a conference in relation
to a number of matters in which the Federal Government and the
and Tax Revision.
State governments are mutually interested. For that reason I want
to invite you to come to the White House on Monday, March 6, at
11 A. M., to attend an informal conference.
It is my thought that we should discuss for our mutual benefit
MORTGAGE AID IS SOUGHT
certain subjects, such as:
(a) Conflicting taxation by Federal and State governments;
(b) Federal aid for unemployment relief;
Reforestation and Economies
(c) Mortgage foreclosures, especially on farm lands. and
(d) Better land use by afforestation, elimination of marginal
in Local Governments to Be
agriculture land, flood prevention. &c.:
(e) Reorganization and consolidation of local government to
Pushed by President-Elect.
decrease tax costs.
It is possible that other subjects will occur to the Governors or to
me as being essential for discussion.
WIDESPREAD EFFECT SEEN
I do not believe that more than one day will be required for this
Informal meeting. But it will give me the opportunity of having the
pleasure of meeting many of the Chief Executives of the States. I
hope much that you will be able not only to come to the inauguration
Step Hailed Here as of First
but also to stay over through Monday for this meeting at the White
Importance-Washingtor
House.
Will you be good enough to send a letter to me at the above
Splits on Party Lines.
address. letting me know whether you can come?
With my sincere regards.
Faithfully yours.
President-elect Franklin D. Roose-
FRANKLIN r. ROOSEVELT.
velt has invited the Governors
the forty-eight States to confer WITH
him at the White House on March
6. two days after his Inauguration
to discuss ways and means of
inz national problems in which
governments of the States ACC the
nation have & common vital
terest.
The announcement of the
ence. made here late yesterday
Colonel Louis McHenry Howe,
President-elect's confidential
viser. was hailed In political
a: a "splendid start" Los the
administration and
a
which would go far toward
ing confidence and prosper.ty to
the nation.
2
Flie Folat Program Listed.
Ichman WILL Attend.
In the let'er to the Governore,
definite revision of overlapping tax
ALBANY. N. Y., Feb. 7 (.4).-
made public by Colone: Howe We
schedules.
Governor Herbert H. Lehman has
Rooseveit outlined five mayor Brux
Another outstanding feature of
lems which he held 0006 : be ...
not yet received his Invitation to
the conference will be the oppor-
the conference of Governors pro-
sidered and joint.r arrow " 130
tunity it will afford Mr. Roosevelt
posed by Mr. Roosevelt after his
nation and the States
to explain in detail to the assembled
inauguration.
First. and perhaps met Impre-
Governor Lehman said tonight.
Governors his program for refores-
tant, the President elect the
however, that he would be "yery
tation designed not only to add to
glad to attend any meeting of Cov-
question of the elimination of the
the nation's wealth and to ald ma-
ernors called by Mr. Roosevelt.
existing conflicts in !aser lovied by
terially in flood control. but also to
He had no other comment.
the States and br the Federa. in.
provide employment for a great
ernment. One aim c: 1:0 comfor
Gov. Moeur Endorses Parley.
number of men.
ence. It was apparent. -:.: be as
Another important feature will be
PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 7 UPI.-
attempt to devise a program where
the discussion of the lowering of
Governor B. B. Moeur of Arizona
by State and nation wee.1 confine
the costs of local government
endorsed tonight the conference of
their taxes to separate fields as for
through reorganization and proper
Governors called by President-elect
as possible.
consolidations. This is a subject
Roosevelt
The second question 14 be dia-
While Governor Moeur is inter-
which has always been of especial
cussed will be that of Federal 0.4
ested In all the subjects suggested
interest to the President-elect.
for discussion. he said he was par.
for unemployment relief This "
was sald here. might Include con-
Step Held of First Importance.
ticularly concerned with unemploy-
ment relief through a "back to the
sideration; o: direct Federal aid for
The calling of the conference by
land" movement and in the reor-
the jobless
Mr. Roosevelt marked another of
ganization of local government to
reduce expenditures.
Mortgage foreclosures. expectally
the unprecedented steps he has
Concerted action by Federal and
on farmlands. was the third 1.8
taken since his election as Presi-
State governments,' Governor
ject suggested by Mr Roceive 1.
dent of the United States. It out-
Moeur said. "Is essential to perma-
ranks in importance. in the opinion
nent solution of unemployment re-
The fourth was the possibility of
lief problems.
betterin- the use of land by reforee-
of many political observers, his
tation. the elimination of mar."
recent debt. conference at Warm
Idaho Governor Pleased.
ginal" or less arable farmiands
Springs with Sir Ronald Lindsay,
BOISE. Feb. 7 GPl.-Governor C.
turning them into woodland Birs
the British Ambassador to the
Ben Ross of Idaho said tonight that
this question It was considered
United States.
"much good can come from such a
inevitable that flood control would
In the opinion of these It is the
conference as that called by Presi-
be discussed.
most important step the President-
dent-elect Roosevelt.'
The fifth problem. as listed by
elect has taken since his election,
Governor Ross said of the con-
the Presider elect, is redrgamize.
in that it marks a definite attempt
ference, "It will be educational for
the President."
tion and consolidation of local gov.
to solve internal problems which
He declared he would try to at-
ernments in order to decrease loral
have been facing the nation in
tend.
tax costs. This. like reforestation.
some cases for years.
During the past three months
is a subject In which Mr Please-
I have made a survey of necessary
The reaction in Washington to the
public work that can be done in
velt has long been interested.
President-elect's proposal seemed
Idaho to furnish employment.' the
Discussion May Be Widemed.
divided along political lines. Demo-
Governor said. "I planned to furnish
crats in general were inclined to
the data to the President when he
In addition to this formal -
takes office but this conference
hope for much from the conference.
gram. Mr Roosevelt wrete the
may make a better opportunity."
while Republicans were doubtful of
Governors. the conference -:: take
what It could accomplish.
up such other problems " to ap
Rumors that Mr. Roosevelt was
the Governors should ... "rown
About to Issue a statement of the
tial" for discussion A: the Gov.
first importance circulated in the
ernors were asked in write him at
financial district yesterday after-
his New York City home 40 Tax
noon and started a mild boom on
Sixty-fifth Street. 10 inform him
whether or not they would attend
the Stock Exchange, most leading
the conference.
issues closing higher for the day.
Little doubt was expressed here
No inkling of Mr. Roosevelt's In-
that all. or nearly all of these 10-
tention to call a conference of Gov.
vited. would attend the conference
crnors had leaked out in advance
All but ten of the Governors at
of the announcement that the in-
present are Democrate. M wes
vitations had been sent. It was
pointed not and are expected to 30
recalled, however. after the news
in Washington for the insureral
became known, that in Albany A:
Governor Lehman 8 inauguration.
ceremonies Of the remaining 100.
the President-elect had dropped R
" was predicted that a.. are per
hin: as to his intention On that
haps two or three would t-e proo-
occasion he asserted the time had
come for icloser contacts notwork
en'.
the President of the United States
Governor Flly of Massach
and the Governors o: the several
who landed here you're is, after
States
teniday cruse. was
Mr. Roomevelt has always been A
over the conference and asset
strong supporter of ' ne Governors
conferences held each year. Last
0.8 attendance. 11. was 5
year, when the conterence was
those who haved the above
held near Washington, there "A"
call as A Explended FACE for
considerable criticism of President
Honver for his a: IFP :0 in the
Rooseve adm nistration
Disternors to meet with him :0 ::-
called that he had
for on the nations problem M <:
A parter with the Pres
-! this oriticism came from the
only a - months agn when XI
Governora o! the Hastern States.
Ro sevelt had 'he :,1
The conference. 1: was Destricted
w:.l 10 m:. to care war
'near:
now
n! the meat pressing of
problems
Enormous benefit in
was
foreseen
the
of
12
CONFERENCE CALL
HAILED BY PITTMAN
Clarity on Loans, Taxes and
Relief Obligations Should
Result, He Declares.
REPUBLICANS IN DOUBT
Senator Dickinson Says Roosevelt
Will Get as Many Opinions as
There Are Governors.
Special to TRE NEW York Times.
WA
INGTON, Feb. Reaction
Last week the Interstate Assem-
obtainable here tonight to the Gov-
bly of the Legislators Association.
made up of representatives of State
ernors' conference called by Presi-
Legislatures. met here and ap-
dent-elect Roosevelt was apparently
pointed 8. continuing committee to
divided. with the conference being
work out proposals to submit to the
supported by Democrats but looked
House Ways and Means Committee
on with some doubt by Republi-
in the next session of Congress.
cans.
Wagner On the Radio.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas,
Democratic leader, declined to com-
In line with Mr. Roosevelt's
ment until after the conference,
views. Senator Wagner stressed in
but Senator Pittman. an Influential
a radio address today the need for
Democrat. highly commended Mr.
Federal relief and expressed the
Roosevelt's plan.
hope that definite action would be
The first three points stated in
taken in the present session.
the letter are matters In which the
"The situation is so emergent. he
Federal Government Is directly in-
said. "that we may well bury all
terested, he said. 'That ought to
disputes as to method or machin-
he a separation of taxes 80 that the
ery of distribution and unite upon
Federal Government and States do
legislation which will in one way
not pile too much on one thing.
or another make funds available to
now that we apparently are going
prevent human suffering. other-
to be forced Into all sorts of sales
wise unavoidable. on a scale un-
taxes a separation should be made
paralleled in our history.'
between those things the Federal
Government will tax and those to
be left to the States.'
Urges Loans for Relief.
As for the proposed relief discus-
sion. Senator Pittman said that, If
the Federal Government was to
continue to grant relief, he hoped
1: would be made In the form of
loans.
There is no more important sub-
fect. he went on, "than the ques-
tion of mortgage foreclosures. The
Federal Government has no juris-
diction over them, yet the States'
credit is not sufficient to refinance
mortgages. Now, if the Federal
Government is going to refinance
mortgages, It should have an ar-
langement with the States 80 that
It will be protected."
Senator Dickinson of Iowa A Re-
publican. took a pessimistic view of
the matter. saying:
Mr. Ronsevelt will have just as
many views as he has Governors.
On practically every problem there
will be an inability for them to
seach any constructive conclusion
41.1 be helpful in legislative
Measures to check mortgage fore-
especially on farm lands.
cave been submitted in the present
segion by Senator Robinson. by
above Buchanan of Texas
and
Because of the con-
opinions held by members
on the subject and the
few days remaining of
present session. there in now
exceement on any
March 4.
: : of reconciling con-
Contang axation by the Federal
and Sia's Governments has long
A Fulded that Sun received
attention of the executive and
(2,58) pranches " 1110 Federal
Government h : the in ulation
A program the proved a difficult
ROOSEVELT MEETS
ROOSEVELT MEETS
GOVERNORS TODAY
GOVERNORS TODAY
Continued from Page One.
taxes, Federal direct aid for un-
Conference Will Centre on
employment, mortgage foreclo-
Bank Problem-Confidence
sures, reforestation and reorganism-
the along more economic lines of
in President Apparent.
local governments. At that time ft
was not foressen that when the
President took office there would
be a nation wide bank: suspension,
Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.
with all # resulting commercial
WASHINGTON, March 5.-The
difficulties) intensifying what had
Governors conference which Pres-
already been perplexing the ablest
Ident Roosevelt called nearly a
financial minds of the country. ;
month ago to discuss with him
Hope for Uniform Plan.
interlocking governmental prob-
Now that situation has been pro-
lems will meet with him tomorrow
jected on such a scale that it is the
morning in the White House at 11
matter calling for solution above all
others. The Governors who spoke
o'clock. But its discussion will be
of it today particularly Governor
largely, directed toward the more
Herring of Iowa and Governor
immediate issue of banking mora-
Brann of Maine, said they looked
toriums, with the possibility that
upon It - of paramount im-
what la done may indicate the
portance, & fundamental impasse
eventual Federal action to be sug-
which must be: overcome before
gested by President Roosevelt.
any other reconstruction measures
The present situation so far over-
can be put into effect. From what
shadows the issues which Mr.
they said, based on their conversa-
Roosevelt stressed in originally
tions with other Governors, this is
calling the conference that they
the general feeling of the group.
have become entirely secondary. It
They hope to take back home with
was his first Intention to confine
them not only a. uniform plan for
the discussion to a limitation on
coping: with the present situation
overlapping Federal and, State
locally but also Mr. Roosevelt's
ideas as to what the Federal Gov-
senment can do, and some forecast
of expected governmental action.
Just how many Governors will be
present is
not certain tonight.
Some of them Lave returned, some
were unable to come, but it is prob-
able that from twenty to twenty-
five will be in attendance in the
East Room of the White House
when the conference begins. Presi-
dent Roosevelt has not prepared an
address, but will speak to them ex-
temporanedusly, although he un-
deubtedly has a definite program on
which They can act, for the con-
furence was his idea and he hopes
through it to accomplisht many
needed local reforms, and to bring!
the States into Has behind his Fat
onl program. of reMef. and recome
m. is the, first desirtruc-
of his administration.
except in Governors at present
and they are -
align themselves solidly
behind any definite proposals
Mr.
permitted to got very far off bal-
not think ft would be appropriate
Robsevelt has to make
ance. If the appropriations exceed
for me to discuss them at this
time.
Confidence in Receivelt.
revenue they are promptly slashed,
as the law demands, by the State
Would Cut Federal Payroll Heavily.
That they will look upon his lead-
Controller, so that the State cannot
Governor BUGENE TALMADGE
ership with even greater confidence
spend more money than It takes to.
of Georgia-The Feder budget
and engerness that might have been
Such reductions are made pro rata,
should, be. balanced by eliminat-
expected a month ago is obvious
so that no department suffers more
ing three-fourths or the pay-
from the events of the last few
than another.
roll and by discharging -
days. By his inauguration address
Comments of Governors.
ployes, if they have to be ex-
Mr. Roosevelt has made himself a
fighting force stgainst the present
The comments of the Governors
ported. Georgia is balancing her
economic and financial debacle,
and in cas case that of & Gover-
budget by cutting expenditures. I
they say, His deflance of selfish
nor's representative, as to the
recommended to the Legislature
ambition and short-sighted finan-
financial standing of mineteen
reductions of $2,300,000, where the
State, follow:
normal budget never exceeds $11,-
cial policies, some declare, has
500,000, and the Legislature is con-
made him the one man to whom
Governor B. M MILLER of Ala-
sidering the problem now. There
bams-Our Alabama budget is in
is also a budget clause giving the
leaders of the States may look with
Governor arbitrary power to re-
hope that he will offer a national
good shape-in fact, It balances
duce expenditures if these exceed
program that will lead from de-
itself automatically because of a
revenues.
pression, even though that program
law that it must do so at the and
Governor PAUL V. McNUTT of
must be partly expressed through
of the year. Appropriations at-
Indians-We have balanced our
ways exceed Income, of course,
budget in Indiana. We did it by
the States themselves. For that
putting a tax of one-fourth of 1
reason It is expected in Washington
and when that happens the Con-
per cent on manufacturers' sales,
that the Governors' conference may
troller must by law so pro rate ax-
a tax of 1 per cent retail sales
penditures for the next year that
and & tax of 1 per cent OR all
be productive of greater good than
incomes. with an exemption of
even Mr. Roosevalt hoped for when
they are inside the estimated rev-
$1,000. The rest of the deficiency
he initiated It.
enue. This results in a constant
was met by cutting. the budget
An effort was made today to de-
fixing of expenditures to meet
$4,000,000, reducing county and
termine just what the States them-
revenue. There are certain reve-
city salaries and continuing the
selves have done to balance their
reduction of State salaries. The
budgets and' put themselves in
nues from certain taxes which
State also took over $600 of all
better condition to meet the pres-
are applied to certain purposes,
teachers' salaries, both elemen-
ent situation. It was found from
and those are fixed by law so that
tary and high school, thus lassen-
those Governors who: could be
they not only cannot be used for
ing local tax rates. Evidently. the
reached that many States were in
anything else but the appropria-
way to balance the Federal budget
perhaps better condition than might
tions are reduced if these taxes
is to cut the cost of government
have been expected. Ten Gover-
fall below our estimates. Our only
in Avery possible way. The Fed-
nors said their States had balanced
indebtedness is a road debt of
eral and State Governments
their budgets. five said the budgets
$43,000,000, which is represented
should have a gentlemen's agree-
would be balanced. and three hoped
by a bond issue and which is TO-
ment to divide taxation sources.
this condition might be brought
duced as to principal and inter-
so that the burden will be equally
about by reductions and additional
est by a separate sinking fund.
distributed.
revenue.
We also have a few current debts
Governor CLYDE Li HERRING
Recoveries is State Finances.
which have accumulated for many
of Iows-The budget of Iowa
years and which we would not
is balanced. It has never been
In one or two cases some remark-
have had If our present law had
unbalanced but is now rapidly
able resuscitations of State finances
been made to apply to them. Now
approaching such a state be-
had been brought about. In Missis-
we are trying to have the law
cause of decreasing revenued, and
modified so that these debts may
we must take steps to meet the
sippi, for instance, where State
be reduced in the same manner
situation by cutting down -
bonds had been unsalable for years
as pur road debt.
penses. My suggestion for Fed-
because of the unstable financial
Governor BUCK of Delaware-Our
eral budget-balancing is that it
budget is satisfactory, because we
cut its expenditures desply. I One
condition of the commonwealth, a
have a surplus in one or two funds
trouble in this country has been
complete reversal of status was
of about $7,000,000, and if there
that we have been so rich that It
brought about by putting into
is a alight deficit in other depart-
has led to extravagent spending.
effect a manufacturers' sales tax.
ments we can divert some of that
We have got to cut out all of that
Now Mississi- bonds sell nearly
money to meet the situation. The
and quit the wild crry of spend-
State is doing everything possible
ing. Government salaries must
at par, and are close to the top of
to keep government within seo-
be cut Expenditures must be.
the list of governmental bonds.
nomic limitations, and although
carved sharply before the govern-
In most of the States, however,
the Legislature is now in session
ment can balance its budget:
the budget had been balanced by
there secons to be every desire to
Louisiana Ealsed New Revenues.
radically reducing expenses rather
cooperate for purposes of econ-
than by instituting new taxes. In
any. That is rather natural at
Governor O. K ALLEN of Legist-
one or two States the Governors
present. The astonishing thing
ans-We balanced our budget in
were anticipating the request for
in Delaware is that we have kept
Louisiana by raising our revenues
arbitrary power to deal with thair
the budget balanced without the
financial dilemnias, and, in others
imposition of new taxes. We have
from various sources of taxation.
new sources of revenue were being
no State tax on land or personal
I intend to explain at the con-
considered.
h DATE 9 E
ference tomorrow the economies
The most drastic budget balancing
come tax and an inheritance tax.
we were able to effect
program is to Alabama, where the
I have some Ideas about balanc-
Governor LOUIS J. BRANN of
law is such that a budget is not
ing the Federal budget, but I de
Maine-I de not care to leaks a
suggestion comcerning balancing
not care to make suggestions for
standing indebtedness
the Federal budget, inssmuch as
balancing the Federal budget, be
factory.
I probably will have to return to
lieving that is a matter for the
Governor IRA C. BLACK
Maine forthwith and be unable to
President. North Carolina will
of South Carolina-I de notification
attend the Governors' conference
balance her budget, although she
to suggest a Federal budget
tomorrow. Maine hopes to have
has had a deficit of $12,500,000.
but it is a problem of the
a balanced budget at the end of
The executive budget control act
importance, and the public
her fiscal year on June 30. The
is being strengthened, and the
appears to favor action.
State is cutting expenditures 25
Legislature, which is now in see-
Carolina 15, trying to
per cent, nothing being exempted.
sion. is aiming to cut the total
budget and is resorting to
and next year will reduce the
tax burden by expenditure reduc-
1 # the Я
gross outgo by 50 per cent
tions.
ments. including institutions
Governor JOSEPH B. ELY of Mas-
Governor GEORGE WHITE of
tivities such as volleges:
sachusetts-I have submitted a
Ohio-We have balanced our State
schools and health. The
balanced budget to the Legisla-
budget by cutting costs from 100,-
lature is now considertng
ture, which I expect to be
000,000 in 1930 to $46,000,000 recem-
matter. The State last year
adopted. although WE may have a
mended in the budget I presented
duced appropriations but
fight over it The problem of bal-
last week, without any bonded to-
anues fell, so there was a
ancing the budget in our State is
debtedness. No new taxes have
of about $1,000,000 for the
relatively easy, through the proc-
been imposed, except a compli-
rent year. This has been
ess of what we call the State tax,
cated levy on utilities giving them
absorbed, but revenues promi
which is levied on the cities and
five years in which to pay. and
be smaller next year, so that
towns. Unfortunately, this works
permitting the county govern-
ther stops will be necessary.
out to impose the entire burden
ments to issue five-year bonds
on real estate. During the past
Vermont Cate Expenses
against this accruing income. A
two years we have been able to
provision in this tax law prohibits
Governor STANLEY. C.
reduce our expenditures by about
It from being passed OR to the
SON of Vermont-Verment
15 per cent. I will be unable to
consumer. The proceeds are in-
cut expenditures and last
attend the conference tomorrow.
tended for direct relief, and the
had a slight balance. She:
as I am leaving on the Federal
yield is expected to be about $15,-
run slightly into the redial
Express tonight to return to Boe-
090,000 annually.
and of the present fiscal
ton. I have some banking legis-
lation which I hope to get on-
Cat Oklahoma Outley 20 Par Cent.
I. have recommended
sconomies to balance the
acted tomorrow morning, looking
to opening our banks.
General CHARLES F. BARRETT,
and outgo. Funds for good.
salaries and other
Governor WILLIAM A. COMETOCK
Adjutant General of Oklahoma
the line have been
of Michigan-Our budget in Mich-
and representative of Governor
original cut being 1756
igan will be balanced, although
William H Murray-I am not
Further economies may
the bills have not yet been intro-
authorized to speak for the Gov-
cuts up to from 20 to
duced, due to a complicated taxa-
The Federal Government
tion problem which confronts us.
arnor on. Federal budget prob-
the same thing.
Last Fall the State adopted a
lems, but Governor Murray feels
Governor A. G. SCHNI
constitutional amendment limit-
it is a question for positive leader-
of Wisconsin-I de not
ing assessments on real estate to
15 mills. This amendment is now
ship. Oklahoma has suffered a
make recommendation
eral budget balancing
before the State Suprame Court
loss in revenues due to conditions
recommended to the
If it is upheld. we will have to
in the oil and other industries,
cuts of 25 per cant
search for additional taxation
which produced a deficit of from
balance the State
sources. In anticipation of a
$10,000,000 to $12,000,000, or about
duction in outso of from $7.
Supreme Court decision uphold-
20 per cent of the budget. Gav-
000 to $8,000,000 will
ing it, I have presented a plan to
ernor Murray met the issue by
Legislature is now is
the Legisla involving a tax on
providing for arbitrary expendi-
I and ture the bedge
gross incomes, taxing every one
in proportion to his ability to pay.
ture cuts of 80 per cent.
dations will be
proposed calls are along
As far as Federal Government 1-
Governor GIFFORD FINCHOT of
line and the Legislature.is
nance is concerned, my part in
Pennsyivania-Balancing the Na-
the problem tn & non-part
the conference tomorrow will be
tional budget is a national matter.
spirit.
to listen and learn.
The budget of Pennsylvania has
been, balanced by the greatest re-
Governer LESLIE MILLER
Sales Tax Used in Mississippi.
duction from the previous budget
Wyoming- balance
made by any State and by re-
budget by
Governor M: 8. CONNER of MisP
ducing comparable cost of depart-
penson.
sissippi-It is absolutaly necessary
ments responsible to the Governor
there that
the
for the restoration of confidence
to the level of 1927. It also pro-
to redeem the
for the Federal Government to
poses and makes possible redue-
Democratic
tion to taxes of farmers and home
reduction
bring expenditures within income.
owners by $50,000,000 and pro-
cent. We
I have no suggestion to make as
vides $20,000,000 for unemploy-
EXPERSES
to the best method for carrying
ment relief through economies
Federal
this out but there must be re-
and improvements in collection of
drastic cutais
trenchment and economy before
existing taxes. It does not require
will later'
more taxes. Mississippi had a sur-
any new form of taxation whatso-
form of exclase or
plus of nearly $1,000,000 last year
ever.
out of & general administrative
Governor THEODORE F. GREENE
Gevernors
budget of $10,000,000 by cutting
of Rhode Island-Our State budget
operating crets 40 per cent. and
NOLONIESTA
is practically balanced; although
applying a per cent sales tax,
the appropriation bill has not yet
The Executive Co
which yielded revenue in EXCESS
passed. There will be & nominal
Conference X
of expectations. These policies
deficiency of something like $100,-
manent organisal
are being continued.
000. We are in very good financial
scutives of States,
Governor JOHN C. B. EHRING-
shape, The banking situation, the
a conference at Los Angales,
HAUS of North Carolina-I do
credit of the State and its out- 24 to 26, inclusive.
declare Faith in President.
Fledge Cosporation.
Groups Urge United Support.
ROOSEVELT SUMS UP
The "following resolution, drafted
GOVERNOR EHRINGHAUS OF
Officials of labor and farmer 0
by a committee composed of Gover-
*NORTH CAROLINA-That this
ganizations, as well as promine:
nors White of Ohio, Green of Rhode
donference desires to express its
citizens, joined with Rear Admir
TASK TO'GOVERNORS
Island and Buck of Delaware, was
confidence in the leadership of
unanimously adopted by the Gover-
President and its desire that
Richard E. Byrd yesterday In ca:
nors conference:
he be granted immediately by
ing for united support of the Pres
"In this anxious hour of a na-
Congress such broad. powers
dent, and a sharing of the grav
tional emergency in our banking
be mecessary to enable
responsibility which rests upc
Executive to meet the pres-
bim. Polities and sectional intere
and economic life a heavy responsi-
should
bility rests on our President to lead
challenging emergency: and
be cast aside, said the stat
ment.
Emergency Banking, With De-
us out of our difficulties. He is
Governors of the several
and prompt and decisive
ready to lead If we are ready to
hereby
action of national scope taken
posits Safeguarded, Must
follow. He needs the united sup-
piedgette him our whole-hearted
prevent economic collapse. Th
statement concluded:
port of all our people in carrying
Be Devised, He Says.
out his plans.
"Wo a coalition committee
"Without regard to our political
different groups and political ar
affiliations we Governors and repre-
and sincere cooperation and sup-
religious faiths, respectfully reque
sentatives of Governors of States.
port in his efforts to rehabilitate
that you join the the other Go
met in conference in the city of
the nation and end the present
ernors of our country in the iss
RELIEF DUTY OF LOCALITIES
Washington, March 6, 1933, hereby
ance of & proclamation, on Wedne
terrible depression.
express our confidence and faith in
day; Ma:ch 8, 1933, In support
GOVERNOR COMSTOCK OF
our President and urge the Con-
the President of the United State
MICHIGAN-That this conference
gress and all the people of our
and our institutions, thus enablin
endorse the substitution of work
united country to cooperate with
the whole people to declare In ur
Federal Government Obligated
him in such action as he shall find
relief for direct relief as expe-
son: their confidence and faith
ditiously as possible. That the
necessary or desirable in restoring
our President. This would cons
to See That No One Starves
Federal Government finance State
banking and economic stability.'
tute the people's appeal to 1
Mr. Roosevelt, in his address,
work-rellef programs under State
patriotism of Congress which
if Other Means Fail.
administration.
reiterated the problems which con-
know they possess, in common wl
front the States as well as the
The Comstock resolution was op-
all, to cooperate with the Preside
Federal Government and which he
posed by Governor Moore of New
in taking such action as will gue
outlined in his original invitation.
Jersey who said he did not see
antee such economic stability.
PLANS A CENTRAL AGENCY
They included the question of con-
how work relief would aid the
store confidence and thereby relle
flieting taxation, Federal aid in
populous Eastern States. because
unemployment and widespre
unemployment relef, coordinating
not enough work could be offered.
distress.
work-rellef programs, reorganiza-
Governor Pinchot said that it was
It was signed by the following:
impossible for the States to go on
RICHARD E. BYRD. chairman.
(Heads of Labor and Farm Groups
tion of local government and mort-
gage foreclosures. However, the
as they had been doing. and that
WILLIAM OREEN, president of the Am
Ican Federation of Labor.
Join In Plea for United
greater part of the discussion was
the necessity for action and for re-
adjustment of relief plans was 50
LOUIS Grange. J. TABER, Master of the Natio
devoted to relief work, with other
Support to President.
matters only briefly touched upon.
great. that unless something were
EDWARD A. O'NEAL president America
Farm Hureau Federation.
The pressing need of the moment
done immediately conditions would
In the minds of the Governors was
become very bad.
His DELEIN. Eminence GEORGE CARDINAL ML
how to feed people.
Both Governor Comstock and
Dr. HARRY EMERSON FOSDICK.
Several resolutions endorsing the
John R. Foley, representing Gov-
Rabbi STEPHEN WISE.
Special to THE New YORK Trues.
ALFRED K SMITH.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-Presi-
President's appeal for confidence in
ernor Olsen of Minnesota, urged
NEWTON D. BAKER.
dent Roosevelt met Governors and
the government and one specifi-
that Section 2 of the Reconstruc-
Dr. NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER.
tion Finance Corporation act re-
H. G. BARRIMAN
cally recognizing that he might have
their representatives at the White
DANIEL WILLARD
to ask for broader powers to meet
lating to farm loans be liberalized.
WALTER LIFEMANN.
House today and discussed with
the present. crisis were passed.
Mrs. J. C. Greenway, representing
them measures of relief and ways
Governor Moeur of Arizona. asked
Resolutions Passed.
that an emergency railroad admin-
of meeting the banking situation.
Mr. Roosevelt was present during
istration be organized. and also an
The President did not make any
definite suggestions on national pol-
the morning session of the confer-
emergency supply service, so that
surplus food stocks in various parts
icies to be carried out in the States,
ence, which lasted from 11 o'clock
of the country may be moved to
or indicate what his recommenda-
until 1. He was then host at lunch-
sections which lack specific foods
tions would be to Congress when
eon to the Governors, and they re-
for live stock and persons.
it meets on Thursday.
sumed their session before 2 o'clock.
Some method should be provided.
As speeches were limited to five
List of Governors Attending.
he said, by which banking can con-
minutes each, no extended plans
tinue with new deposits during the
were offered, although Governors
The Governors or their represen-
emergency, such deposits to be
Rose of Idaho and Moore of New
tatives present were:
safeguarded so that they may be
Jersey offered definite recommen-
ALABAMA-B. M. Miller.
withdrawn at any time. The only
dations in written form.
ARIZONA-B. B. Moeur, represented by
Mrs.
1. C. Greenway.
way this can be done, he said, is
The resolutions, which were
ARKANBAS-J. M. Futrell, by C. G. Smith.
for the money to be kept in cash in
passed unanimously, with the ex-
COLORADO-Edwin c. Johnson, by John
the form in which It is offered, by
ception of one by Governor Com-
T. Barnett.
depositing it in Federal Reserve
stock of Michigan, asking work-
DELAWARE-C. D. Buck.
FLORIDA-David Sholts.
Banks or by purchasing with it
relief legislation, were as follows:
IDAHO-C. Ren Roes.
government bonds. He emphasized
GOVERNOR PINCHOTOF PENN-
INDIANA-Paul V. MeNutt.
the fact that government bands are
SYLVANIA-We, the Governors
10WA-Clyde L. Herring.
KENTUCKY-Roby Laffoon.
as safe as government currency,
of the States of the Union, as-
LOUISIANA-O. K. Allen.
which led some Governors to won-
sembled in conference at the
MAINE+Louts J. Brann.
der If he contemplated a bond is-
White House by the President to
MASSACHUSETTS-Joseph B. Ely, by Ben.
ator David 1. Walsh.
sue to meet the emergency.
discuss with him and each other
MINNESOTA-Fioyd B. Olsen, by John R.
The banking situation was touched
matters of vital consequence to
Foley.
upon only briefly at the conference,
the people of this nation, do
MISSISSIPPI-Samust Conner.
although it had been expected that
hereby express our warm appre-
MONTANA-John E. Erickson, by J. A.
Lovelane.
It would be the one great topic of
ciation of the confidence. the de-
NEVADA-Fred B. Balsar, by Cacil W.
conversation. National script was
sire to cooperate and the alert-
Creei.
discussed, and the President told
ness to the needs of our people
NEW HAMPSHIRE-Johs a. Wynast.
the Governors that he hoped 16
which the President has signified
NEW JERSEY-A. Harry Moors.
NEW MEXICO-Arihur Beligman. by a. C.
would be possible to keep such
by calling us here. We welcome
Wood.
scrip on an equal value with govern-
this opportunity to plan and work
NORTH
CAROLINA-J. C. B. Enringhaus.
ment bonds. It was evident that
together. for the common good.
OHIO-George
White.
through the whole conference there
OKLAHOMA-Wilam A. Murray, by G. J.
GOVERNOR WHITE OF OHIO-
A.
Robertson.
ran the fundamental problem of
Resolved, That we look approv-
Pinchot.
sound currency of some sort, predi-
RHODE ISLAND-Theodore F. Green,
ingly upon the President's plan
eated upon a balanced budget.
SOUTH CAROLINA-L C. Blackwood.
for better land utilization, as pre-
TENNESSEE-HI1 McAlister.
sented to us this morning, not
TEXAS-Mrs. Miriam Ferguson, by Mrs.
E.
King.
only as a measure for the con-
VIRGINIA-John Garland Pollard.
servation of the nation's natural
WASHINGTON-Clarence D. Martis, "
resources, but also as an effective
Frank T. Bell.
WEST VIRGINIA-E. a. Kumpt.
step toward the relief of unem-
WISCONSIN-A. G. Schwiedeman.
ployment; and that we severally
WYOMING-L A. Miller.
pledge ourselves to use our best
efforts to ascertain, through
proper surveys, the acreage that
might be made available for such
& program in our prospective
States.
4 Address before the Governors' Conference
at the White House. March 6, 1933
I HAVE been so occupied since noon on Saturday that I have not
had a chance to prepare any formal remarks. I start off by
saying to the Governors and their representatives that as a Gov-
ernor myself for the past four years I am on somewhat intimate
terms with the duties of Governors and also with the rights and
duties of States. The country needs cooperation between the
States and the Federal Government. I think this has been well
demonstrated by the events of the past forty-eight hours.
The States acted with remarkable promptitude in preventing
a panic at a time when it might well have developed. The situa-
tion, however, did get to the point yesterday where some kind
of uniform action seemed necessary, and as you know resulted
in two things: the calling of a Special Session of Congress for
Thursday, and a proclamation to take care of the immediate
emergency between now and Thursday.
In that proclamation there were four or five main objectives.
The first one was to prevent the withdrawal of any further gold
and currency. The old War Statute of 1917 had not been re-
pealed and we used it. It was an exceedingly useful instrument.
The second objective was to provide some form of circulating
medium for the country in addition to the outstanding currency,
because a large part had been put into hiding. I have confidence
the public will accept that circulating medium.
We should provide some method by which banking can go on
18
The Governors' Conference at the White House
with new cash coming in. It is proposed through the Treasury
Department that every bank will be authorized to open new ac-
counts, and that the money deposited in the new accounts can be
withdrawn at any time. The only way in which that money can
be kept absolutely safe beyond peradventure of doubt is by using
methods to keep it safe - first, keeping the money in cash the
way it is put in; second, depositing it in the Federal Reserve
Bank; and third, purchasing Government bonds with it.
Recognized Government bonds are as safe as Government cur-
rency. They have the same credit back of them. And, therefore,
if we can persuade people all through the country, when their
salary checks come in, to deposit them in new accounts, (which
will be held in trust and kept in one of the new forms I have
mentioned, we shall have made progress.
All I can say is, I am very grateful for what the States have
done in this emergency. We want if possible to have a general
banking situation, that is to say, one covering national banks and
State banks, as uniform as possible throughout the country. At
the same time we want to cooperate with all of the States in
bringing about that uniformity. I have no desire to have this
matter centralized down here in Washington any more than
we can help. I don't believe there is much more to say about
banking.
The letter that I sent to you took up several matters: First,
there is the conflicting taxation between Federal and State Gov-
ernments. Every one of you has been seeking methods to find
new sources of taxation. It has been natural and human to ex-
pect that the Federal Government also should try to find some
method of raising revenue.
A second question relates to Federal aid in unemployment
relief. The Federal Government, of course, does have to prevent
anybody from starving, but the Federal Government should not
be called upon to exercise that duty until other agencies fail.
The primary duty is that of the locality, the city, county, town.
If they fail and cannot raise enough to meet the needs, the next
responsibility is on the States and they have to do all they can.
19
The Governors' Conference at the White House
If it is proven that they cannot do any more and the funds are
still insufficient, it is the duty of the Federal Government to step in.
We come to the question of coordinating work. It is very diffi-
cult to know in the Federal Government what States are doing
well for unemployment relief and what States are not, and it is
my thought that I can create some kind of central relief agency
which will be a fact-finding body, which will coordinate the
work of States, and act as a clearing house for the relief of the
Nation. I hope to get that set up in the next two or three weeks.
The third proposition is the reorganization and consolidation
of local government to reduce the taxation cost. That is your
problem and it has been my problem for the past four years.
And there is the question of mortgage foreclosures especially
on farm land and on small homes. There again we have no na-
tional policy. Some of the States are doing it one way and other
States are doing it another way. Some States and some localities
are closing their eyes to existing laws and do not have any fore-
closures. As yet we have no national policy for it, but I believe
we can have one.
NOTE: I had had the opportunity
tion between the Federal and State
of becoming acquainted with most
Governments. When I invited them,
of the Governors of the United
it was my intention to spend the
States during the previous four
entire day of March 6th going over
years while I was Governor of New
with them various matters of com-
York, particularly at the various
mon interest which required com-
Governors' Conferences which I at-
mon attention.
tended regularly during that pe-
Subsequent events, however, in-
riod.
cluding the banking crisis, com-
About a month before my In-
pelled me to change that plan.
auguration I had invited the Gov-
There simply was not enough time
ernors of all the States, most of
in which to do all the things which
whom expected to attend the In-
had to be done. Events were hap-
auguration in Washington, to con-
pening so quickly, in fact, that it
fer with me and with each other
was impossible for me even to pre-
at the White House on Monday,
pare a speech in advance, to deliver
March 6th, to discuss several prob-
to the Governors' Conference.
lems which would require coopera-
There was only time for me to go
20
to the East Room of the White
and cooperation, the Governors'
House, where the conference was in
Conference passed the following
progress, and speak extemporane-
resolutions. These resolutions are
ously.
printed to show the united spirit
There were twenty-five Gover-
of cooperation which the Governors
nors present and representatives of
"without regard to political affilia-
twelve others.
tions" displayed in the hour of the
In response to my request for help
country's need.
5 (A Pledge of Support to the President by the
Governors' Conference. March 6, 1933
IN THIS anxious hour of a national emergency in our banking and
economic life a heavy responsibility rests on our President to lead us
out of our difficulties. He is ready to lead if we are ready to follow.
He needs the united support of all our people in carrying out his
plans.
Without regard to our political affiliations we Governors and
representatives of Governors of States, met in conference in the City
of Washington, March 6, 1933, hereby express our confidence and
faith in our President and urge the Congress and all the people of
our united country to cooperate with him in such action as he
shall find necessary or desirable in restoring banking and economic
stability.
B. M. Miller, Alabama
J. M. Futrell, Arkansas
A.G. Schmedeman, Wisconsin
by C. G. Smith
Ruby Laffoon, Kentucky
Floyd B. Olsen, Minnesota
Clyde L. Herring, Iowa
by John R. Foley
Edwin C. Johnson, Colorado
William H. Murray, Oklahoma
by John T. Barnett
by G. B. A. Robertson
David Sholtz, Florida
Paul V. McNutt, Indiana
Clarence D. Martin, Washington
J. C. B. Ehringhaus, North Caro-
by Frank T. Bell
lina
Samuel Conner, Mississippi
Hill McAlister, Tennessee
Miriam Ferguson, Texas
Theodore F. Green, Rhode Island
by Mrs. J. E. King
B. B. Moeur, Arizona
Louis J. Brann, Maine
by Mrs. J. C. Greenway
21
John G. Winant, New Hampshire
Arthur Seligman, New Mexico
I. C. Blackwood, South Carolina
by O. C. Wood
O. K. Allen, Louisiana
C. Ben Ross, Idaho
Gifford Pinchot. Pennsylvania
Fred B. Balzar, Nevada
H. G. Kump. West Virginia
by Cecil W. Creel
L. A. Miller. Wyoming
John Garland Pollard, Virginia
John E. Erickson, Montana
C. D. Buck, Delaware
by J. A. Lovelace
George White, Ohio
6 A Letter to the Governors' Conference by a
Committee of Citizens Urging Support of the
President. March 6, 1933
WE THE undersigned have cast aside politics and group and sec-
tional interest in a spirit of cooperation with the President, and we
believe that this same spirit animates our whole people. Beyond
that we are convinced that there is throughout the Nation a spon-
taneous spiritual uprising of confidence and hope in our chosen
leader. The nature of our national crisis calls for an expression of
this confidence in the combined voice of the people to show that
they are behind him, alert and vocal and united in heart.
Prompt and decisive action of a national scope, and in several
directions, is necessary to prevent economic collapse throughout the
land. The ordinary operations of government that prevail and are
suitable in time of prosperity with normal conditions, may be too
slow to meet adequately this emergency and avoid the danger of
this economic avalanche carrying all before it.
We, a Coalition Committee of different groups and political and
religious faiths, respectfully request that you join the other Gov-
ernors of our country in the issuance of a Proclamation, on Wednes-
day, March 8, 1933, in support of the President of the United States
and our institutions, thus enabling the whole people to declare in
unison their confidence and faith in our President. This would con-
stitute the people's appeal to the patriotism of Congress which we
know they possess, in common with all, to cooperate with the Presi-
dent in taking such action as will guarantee economic stability, re-
22
store confidence and thereby relieve unemployment and widespread
distress.
Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd
Alfred E. Smith
William Green, President,
Newton D. Baker
American Federation of Labor
Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler,
Louis J. Taber, Master of
President, Columbia Univer-
The National Grange
sity
Edward A. O'Neal, President,
H. G. Harriman, President,
American Farm Bureau Fed-
United States Chamber of
eration
Commerce
His Eminence George Cardinal
Daniel Willard, President,
Mundelein
Baltimore & Ohio R. R.
Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick
Walter Lippmann, Publicist
Rabbi Stephen Wise
NOTE: The foregoing letter from
how widespread was the feeling that
various citizens is printed, together
united effort and complete coopera-
with the response of the Governors,
tion of all groups and parties were
printed as the next item, to show
necessary to meet the emergency.
7 The Support Is Given; Resolutions Passed
at the Governors' Conference. March 6, 1933
RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR PINCHOT
WE, THE GOVERNORS of the States of the Union, assembled in con-
ference at the White House by the President to discuss with him
and each other matters of vital consequence to the people of this
Nation, do hereby express our warm appreciation of the confidence,
the desire to cooperate, and the alertness to the needs of our people
which the President has signified by calling us here.
We welcome this opportunity to plan and work together for the
common good.
RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR WHITE
RESOLVED, That we look approvingly upon the President's plan for
better land utilization, as presented to us this morning, not only as
23
a measure for the conservation of the Nation's natural resources but
also as an effective step toward the relief of unemployment; and that
we severally pledge ourselves to use our best efforts to ascertain,
through proper surveys, the acreage that might be made available
for such a program in our respective States.
RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR EHRINGHAUS
THAT this Conference desires to express its confidence in the leader-
ship of the President and its desire that he be granted immediately
by the Congress such broad powers as may be necessary to enable the
Executive to meet the present challenging emergency and we, as
Governors of the several States here assembled, hereby pledge to him
our wholehearted and sincere cooperation and support in his efforts
to rehabilitate the Nation and end the present terrible depression.
RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR COMSTOCK
THAT this Conference endorse the substitution of work-relief for
direct relief as expeditiously as possible.
That the Federal Government finance State work-relief programs
under State administration.