The subject is an old one and now that economy absolutely must be the first order in government it is an appropriate time for Congress to take up the question and bring it to conclusion.

I have signed the act authorizing the foreign debt postponement for one year.

I have received requests from Federal employees in the District that they should be given two periods of holidays so as to cover the Saturday following Christmas Day, and from New Year's Day until January 4.

We cannot suspend the functioning of the Federal Government at such a time.

I spoke of the invitation which this Government has accepted to participate in the General Disarmament Conference which is to meet at Geneva on February 2, 1932.

Mrs. Florence F. Burton may be appointed to the position of secretary to the Director of Prohibition, Department of Justice, without compliance with the requirements of the civil-service rules.

Now, the major steps that we have to take are domestic.

In the recommendations that I have laid before Congress and in the organizations created in the last few months there is a very definite rounded program for turning the tide of deflation and starting the country on the road to recovery.

The Government will continue the very large Federal construction program over the winter.

The essence of this proposition is to give time to permit debtor governments to recover their national prosperity.

It is hereby ordered that Executive Order No. 4482, dated July 19, 1926, which withdrew in addition to other lands the public lands in T. 5 S., R. 100 W., sixth principal meridian, Colorado, pending a resurvey be, and the same is hereby, revoked as to the above-mentioned township.

Mrs. Marie V. Abernethy may be appointed, as a clerk in the Treasury Department without regard to the length of time she has been separated from the service.

One position of headquarters messenger at the headquarters of the Philippine Department, when filled by an honorably discharged, enlisted man, who has been on duty at those headquarters.

The public health has apparently never been better than it has been over the past 6 months.

I assume that if General Butler wishes to retire the Government will approve.

Three assistant administrators.

I have appointed Walter S. Gifford to set up and direct such organization as may be desirable, with headquarters in Washington, to cooperate with the public authorities and to mobilize the national, State, and local agencies of every kind which will have charge of the activities arising out of unemployment in various parts of the Nation this winter.

The whole force of the Administration is at your disposal.