State of the Union | Page 9

the welfare of the people demands effective
and economical performance by the Government of certain
indispensable social services.
In the light of this responsibility, certain general purposes and certain
concrete measures are plainly indicated now.
There is urgent need for greater effectiveness in our programs, both
public and private, offering safeguards against the privations that too
often come with unemployment, old age, illness, and accident. The
provisions of the old-age and survivors insurance law should promptly
be extended to cover millions of citizens who have been left out of the
social-security system. No less important is the encouragement of
privately sponsored pension plans. Most important of all, of course, is
renewed effort to check the inflation which destroys so much of the
value of all social-security payments.
Our school system demands some prompt, effective help. During each
of the last 9 years, more than 1 ½ million children have swelled the
elementary and secondary school population of the country. Generally,
the school population is proportionately higher in States with low per
capita income. This whole situation calls for careful congressional
study and action. I am sure that you share my conviction that the firm
conditions of Federal aid must be proved need and proved lack of local
income.
One phase of the school problem demands special action. The school
population of many districts has been greatly in- creased by the swift
growth of defense activities. These activities have added little or
nothing to the tax resources of the communities affected. Legislation
aiding construction of schools in the districts expires on June 30. This
law should be renewed; and likewise, the partial payments for current
operating expenses for these particular school districts should be made,
including the deficiency requirement of the current fiscal year.

Public interest similarly demands one prompt specific action in
protection of the general consumer. The Food and Drug Administration
should be authorized to continue its established and necessary program
of factory inspections. The invalidation of these inspections by the
Supreme Court of December 8, 1952, was based solely on the fact that
the present law contained inconsistent and unclear provisions. These
must be promptly corrected.
I am well aware that beyond these few immediate measures there
remains much to be done. The health and housing needs of our people
call for intelligently planned programs. Involved are the solvency of the
whole security system; and its guarding against exploitation by the
irresponsible.
To bring clear purpose and orderly procedure into this field, I anticipate
a thorough study of the proper relationship among Federal, State, and
local programs. I shall shortly send you specific recommendations for
establishing such an appropriate commission, together with a
reorganization plan defining new administrative status for all Federal
activities in health, education, and social security.
I repeat that there are many important subjects of which I make no
mention today. Among these is our great and growing body of veterans.
America has traditionally been generous in caring for the disabled--and
the widow and the orphan of the fallen. These millions remain close to
all our hearts. Proper care of our uniformed citizens and appreciation of
the past service of our veterans are part of our accepted governmental
responsibilities. XI
We have surveyed briefly some problems of our people and a portion
of the tasks before us.
The hope of freedom itself depends, in real measure, upon our strength,
our heart, and our wisdom.
We must be strong in arms. We must be strong in the source of all our
armament, our productivity. We all--workers and farmers, foremen and
financiers, technicians and builders--all must produce, produce more,
and produce yet more.
We must be strong, above all, in the spiritual resources upon which all
else depends. We must be devoted with all our heart to the values we
defend. We must know that each of these values and virtues applies
with equal force at the ends of the earth and in our relations with our

neighbor next door. We must know that freedom expresses itself with
equal eloquence in the right of workers to strike in the nearby factory,
and in the yearnings and sufferings of the peoples of Eastern Europe.
As our heart summons our strength, our wisdom must direct it.
There is, in world affairs, a steady course to be followed between an
assertion of strength that is truculent and a confession of helplessness
that is cowardly.
There is, in our affairs at home, a middle way between untrammeled
freedom of the individual and the demands for the welfare of the whole
Nation. This way must avoid government by bureaucracy as carefully
as it avoids neglect of the helpless.
In every area of political action, free men must think before they can
expect to win.
In this spirit must we live and labor: confident of