Letters, Jul. 4, 1938

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PREDICT TIME WILL HAVE TO ADD TO STAFF TO HANDLE LETTER DELUGE THAT WILL RESULT FROM SLY EDITORS' NEW DEAL QUERY . . . [TIME, June 20]. EAGERLY I AWAIT THE COMING INEVITABLE THOUSAND DIFFERENT ATTEMPTED DEFINITIONS OF THE NEW DEAL.

RONALD JARRETT

Midland, Tex.

Sirs:

Define the New Deal? Tammany methods made magnificent.

LAURANCE C. BAKER

Comstock, N. Y.

Sirs:

. . " Would not abortion be "curt, clear, complete"?

HOLLIS F. PECK

Chicago, Ill.

Sirs:

The New Deal: Rape with consent.

E. C. SNEED

Trona, Calif.

Sirs:

After listening to my "Econ" students freely discuss the New Deal for the past six years I wish to submit the essence of three schools of thought as to the meaning of the term:

1. Left-Wing opinion. The New Deal was designed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, a millionaire political demagogue, for the purpose of prolonging the life of the archaic and defunct capitalistic system. . . .

2. New Deal opinion. The New Deal is the name given to F. D. Roosevelt's political, social and economic program which has for its aim the conservation of America's human and natural resources, guided by the principle of "the greatest good to the greatest number." . . .

3. Right-Wing opinion. The New Deal is the ambiguous label of Roosevelt II's multifarious, opportunistic, meddlesome, extravagant, pseudosocial, alphabetical agencies designed to make this country safe for the Democratic Party. . . .

RALPH W. WELCH Professor of Economics

Chapman College Hollywood, Calif.

Sirs:

. . . In the heat of the presidential campaign of 1936, the local Democratic headquarters received a telephone call. '"Say," a voice exclaimed, "tell us just what the principles of the New Deal are—we're having an argument." "Hold the phone," was the answering injunction, followed by a long pause. Then: "Sorry. We're having an argument, too."

SILVANUS KINGSLEY Attorney at Law

Portland, Ore.

Sirs:

Why not N ational

E leemosynary

W aste

D riving

E veryone

A Imost

L oco

Semantics, eh ?

J. FURBISHER

Toledo, Ohio

Sirs:

The New Deal is a game between Capital & Labor with the Government dealing and at the same time raking in the "kitty." The kitty is fast assuming the proportions of a full grown pussy cat. If the players keep at it long enough they will both be broke.

This last phenomenon was deduced by my 12-year-old son in 78 seconds flat and for his sluggishness I will deduct 10¢ from his weekly allowance.

MILTON H. DAXE

The Bronx, N. Y.

Sirs:

Perhaps the New Deal might be defined as bewildered idealism, leftish in objectives, rightish in methods, misunderstood by liberals, misused by conservatives, mistrusted by businessmen—but still relied upon reluctantly by indebted farmers, doubtfully by organized labor, helplessly by the unemployed, and hopefully by bewildered idealists.

ROBERT H. RAMAGE

Scarsdale, N. Y.

Sirs: