1930's Government and Politics | "Federal Emergency Relief"

Speech

By: Harry Hopkins

Date: 1934

Source: Hopkins, Harry. Speech before the National Democratic Club in New York. Printed in "Federal Emergency Relief." Vital Speeches of the Day 1, no. 7, December 31, 1934.

About the Author: Harry L. Hopkins (1890–1946) was a top advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt (served 1933–1945). He joined the Roosevelt administration in 1933 to lead the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. In 1935 he was put in charge of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and from 1938 to 1940 served as secretary of commerce. During World War II (1939–1945) Hopkins was a special advisor on foreign affairs to the president and developed important relationships with leaders of the Allied powers.

Introduction

The relief programs of the New Deal were unprecedented in the history of the United States. As much as anyone, Harry...