Legislative Messages of Hon. James V. Allred, Governor of Texas 1935-1939 Page: 12 of 263
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-13
acts.
I suggest that the proper committees of each house immediately
begin a study of this legislation, its cost, methods of financing its effect
in other states, etc., in order that we may be prepared to submit a vote
of the people a far-reaching and intelligent plan for old age pensions.
Many different questions will arise in this connection, and any constitutional
amendment or enabling legislation should be carefully studied and
prepared.
Old age pensions for the destitute are just, humane and inevitable.
This Legislature has a golden opportunity to make adequate provision
which will remove the haunting fear and dread of old age from the hearts
of some of our most worth while citizens.
Planned Recovery
The State Democratic platform expressed the belief that "this State
should adopt and carry forward a planned program of recovery and rehabilitation."
This is in keeping with the pattern afforded by the President
who continues to unfold a planned program of recovery for the
nation. One of the principle causes of our difficulties in State government
in the past, it seems to me, is that we have rocked along in rather
haphazard fashion without the long range vision and the careful planning
to which Texas is entitled.
Under the "new deal" of Franklin D. Roosevelt, billions of dollars
were appropriated in an heroic effort to lift the country out of the depression.
It has meant much to Texas, but not as much as it could
have meant if we had been prepared to avail ourselves of all the "new
deal" offered. Many communities and subdivisions of our government
received seemingly substantial sums for public works projects, but an
even casual examination reveals that it was only a small part of what
Texas could have secured by operating under a real planned program of
progress.
In announcing the future Federal policy of substituting work for direct
relief, the President has asked Congress to appropriate even more money
than before. In its broadest aspects the National program seeks to restore
millions of jobs by a gigantic program of public works. The Federal
Government is committed to a long range program designed to encourage
the best usage of the country's land, water, mineral and other
natural resources. In addition, many millions of dollars have already
been appropriated to insure private financial institutions against loss by
loans to citizens for repairing, constructing, and refinancing their homes.
In this vast recovery program Texas, as the greatest State in the
Union, has a very definite responsibility. The only State in the Union
constituting an empire within itself, the richest State in natural resources
and in citizenship, a land where people can live at home, it offers
the greatest possibilities for development. In developing the greater
resources and facilities of Texas, I have no doubt our State can more
intensely interest the National Administration than any other.
For instance, part of the plan of the Federal Government may be to
remove citizens from communities and states where they can no longer
procure a livelihood, transplanting them to other states where they can
live a broader and fuller life. Some of these people are the finest
and sturdiest citizens this country has ever known. We want them in
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Allred, James V. Legislative Messages of Hon. James V. Allred, Governor of Texas 1935-1939, book, 1939; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth3899/m1/12/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .