Swansongs

Of all the Cabinet, the Secretary of State alone does not have to make an annual report on his semisecret activities. Last week the other nine members finished rendering their bulky swansongs to President Hoover or the Congress. Each told in great statistical detail how his department had weathered the Depression. Some added a cheerful chirp or two about confidence in the future and a few, despite the fact that they go out of office March 4, boldly made recommendations for new legislation. Excerpts:

Treasury's Mills: "Total tax receipts declined from 1930 to 1932 by $1,737,600,000 or 47.9%. . . Federal expenditures for 1932 reached a new high level for the post-War period. ... We closed the fiscal years 1931 and 1932 with large deficits. Even so, the finances of the United States Government are in sound condition. ... I renew my recommendation, looking to the extension of branch banking. . . ."

War's Hurley: "Despite our comparative isolation ... it is my reasoned belief that all elements of our land defense are at or below the present minimum needs."

Justice's Mitchell: "If any changes are to be made in our national system of Prohibition, they should be made as quickly as possible and should be made through the amendment of substantive law and not by leaving laws on the statute books and scuttling them by refusal to appropriate money for their enforcement. . . ."

Post Office's Brown: "It has been the department's policy to retain all regular employes on its rolls notwithstanding the continued shrinkage of mail volume. . . . Much more harm than good would result from throwing great numbers of postal workers into the ranks of unemployed. Resort should not be had to further rate increases as a means of balancing the postal budget. ... It is recommended that legislation be enacted to restore the 2-cent rate to local or drop letters."

Navy's Adams: "Curtailment of expenditures has been made principally at the expense of the fighting fleet. . . . [Statistics] clearly show that our present building program does not provide for-- 1) a treaty navy; 2) replacement of overage vessels; 3) rectifying our already seriously impaired position relative to other signatories to the naval treaties nor for preventing further undermining of that position."

Interior's Wilbur: "The oil industry is in an increasingly sound position. . . The Western States are full grown and need not look to an absentee landlord to protect their interests. . . . Despite the exploitation of the [Massie] case by sensational newspapers, Hawaii remains one of the most peaceful communities in the world."

Agriculture's Hyde: "The tax system discriminates against the farmer. The injustice is greater now than it was a few years ago. . . . Foreclosures are blighting the hopes of men who can get as much out of the land as anyone could. . . . The powers of our credit institutions must be broadened and legal restrictions relaxed so that efficient farmers can be given a fighting chance to hold their homes."

Commerce's Chapin: "The trend of industrial production, prices, employment, pay rolls, merchandise distribution, foreign trade, and constructor was downward throughout the year Output was the smallest for any fiscal post-War period. . . . Foreign trade declined in value to the lowest level since pre-War years."

Labor's Doak: "These recurring periods of unemployment seem to me to be an indictment of our civilization. . . . Our immigration policy should be revised to, provide that no new and unattached immigrants coming for the avowed purpose of seeking work shall be admitted."

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