With the above figures in mind the numerous statements designed to discredit Mr. Roosevelt's popularity can be dismissed. Because of the relatively slight diminution of his Popularity more importance can be attached to the programme outlined in his recent address.
This message was conciliatory in tone and very wisely was not designed to antagonize any group. Entirely too much unwarranted rancour and bitterness has been in evidence between opposing factions in the United States in recent months. Mr, Roosevelt indicated, however, that every item in his New Deal had not been executed according to his best judgment. The failure of Congress to tender adequate relief to American railways brought forth a few phrases of censure from the President, A large part of the message was designed to allay the fears of the public concerning the current economic crisis, He pointed out that conditions are not as severe or depressed as in 1932, the year before he assumed office. "In 1932 the total national income of all the people in the country had reached the low Point of $38,000,000,000, With each succeeding year it rose. Last year, 1937, it had risen to $70,000,000,000—despite definitely worse business and agricultural prices in the last four months of last year. This year, 1938, while it is too early to make more than an estimate, we hope that the national income will not fall below $60,000,000,000."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.