Favors Expanded Program Of Public Works And Modification Of Liquor Laws
NEW YORK, May 17.—(AP)—Calling upon congress to eschew cliques and other obstructionist tactics in the interests of national rehabilitation, Alfred E. Smith (democrat) has his own program for the alleviation of economic ills before the voters today.
In a radio address last night he advocated a manufacturers' sales tax, restriction of veterans' legislation, an expanded program of federal public works, action on war debts and modification of the prohibition laws.
The first duty of congress, he said, was to find means to balance the budge. To accomplish this he urged reduction of appropriations to an irreducible minimum and imposition of a manufacturer's sales tax
Reorganization of governmental departments is an executive, not a legislative function, he said, and the president should be given the full responsibility and power which he has asked in the immediate consolidation o£ government activities and bureaus and in other ways to reduce the cost of government.
Regarding veterans' relief, Smith urged a return to the "principles of the wise and far sighted plans set forth by President Wilson in his program for payments to the soldiers."
He restated his plan for a public program financed by a bond issue to spur business and industry.
Congress should empower the president he said, to meet the war debt situation and, if necessary, to prolong, the Hoover moratorium.
He urged immediate action by congress to place a more liberal interpretation by statute on what constitutes an intoxicant pending action by party conventions to determine party policy on modification or repeal of the eighteenth amendment
Thu May 17, 2012 7:12 pm