The New Deal – Alphabet Soup Agencies

Roosevelt knew he faced unique problems that demanded new solutions. However, he was not a radical; he was a pragmatist. He was not about to abandon capitalism, but he was willing to make changes in the economic system that Hoover would never consider. (Bindas, p. vii.) His attitude was, “If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” (Hakim, p. 280.) Roosevelt’s “New Deal” programs rested, not so much on “the dole,” but on the principle of providing work and, thus, self-sufficiency and dignity to unemployed Americans.(Bindas, preface, generally.) During the First Hundred Days of his administration, FDR and the Congress focused on helping the people directly. Laws were passed to help workers, farmers and the needy.

“Let’s Have a New Deal” was sung by Carl Martin, (1935). (https://youtu.be/jBG7bepRWNw)

Now, everybody’s cryin’, “Lets have a New Deal”
Police station’s loaded down, I know just how you feel
REFRAIN: Everybody’s cryin’, “Let’s have a New Deal”
‘Cause I’ve got to make a living, if I have to rob and steal

Now, I’m getting mighty tired of sitting around
I ain’t makin’ a dime just wearin’ my shoe’s sole down
REFRAIN: Everybody’s cryin’, “Let’s have a New Deal”
‘Cause I’ve got to make a living, if I have to rob and steal

Now, I woke up this mornin’, doggone my soul
My flour barrel was empty, swear I didn’t have no coal
REFRAIN: Everybody’s cryin’, “Let’s have a New Deal”
‘Cause I’ve got to make a living, if I have to rob and steal

Now, you go to your work and put in your complaints
Eight times out of ten, you know, they’ll say, “I can’t.”
REFRAIN: So everybody’s cryin’, “Let’s have a New Deal”
‘Cause I’ve got to make a living, if I have to rob and steal

They don’t want to give you no dough, don’t hardly pay your rent
And it ain’t costin’ them one doggone cent
REFRAIN: Everybody’s cryin’, “Let’s have a New Deal”
‘Cause I’ve got to make a living, if I have to rob and steal

Now, I ain’t made a dime since they closed down the mill (spoken: Yeah!)
I’m sitting right here waiting on that brand New Deal
REFRAIN: Everybody’s cryin’, “Let’s have a New Deal”
‘Cause I’ve got to make a living, if I have to rob and steal

But, before he could address the plight of the common man, Roosevelt had to stabilize the country’s banking system, which was about to collapse from “runs on the banks” by people wanting to draw out their savings. Immediately after his inauguration, Roosevelt called on Congress to pass the Emergency Banking Relief Act, which closed all banks for few days and was known as “The Bank Holiday.” This gave the government time to buy stock in banks, so that they would have capital to meet their needs. (Jennings and Brewster, p. 159.)

FDR followed that up with the first of his “Fireside Chats,” radio programs where he talked to the citizenry. In his first such chat, Roosevelt followed the theme of his famous inauguration speech remark “All we have to fear is fear itself.” FDR’s bold approach created hope in the people. After his first Fireside Chat, people returned their saved money to the banks. For the first time in a long time, there were more bank deposits than withdrawals: $600 million more by the end of the week and $1 billion more by end of the month. (Id.)