Roosevelt plots route out of economic depression – archive, 11 March 1933

11 March 1933: As well as reopening banks, a proposed peace-time army" of 500,000 unemployed will help rebuild the country

New York, March 10
While plans are being hurried on to permit the reopening of solvent banks by Monday, Mr Roosevelt today asked Congress for authority to make drastic economies in the cost of government in order to balance the Budget and restore public confidence. Pointing out that the accumulated deficit would soon be $5,000,000,000 (about $1,000,000,000 at par), he asked for power to reduce ex-soldiers' payments and also government salaries and expenses. It is known that he hopes to save about $614,000,000 in this way, of which $279,000,000 come from the veterans, $135,000,000 from federal salaries, and $200,000,000 from reorganisation and elimination of governmental offices.

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