Grandma Wessman's Letter Page 2

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When I was 5 — the great depression of 1929 hit all the banking system of the United States. I did not know anything about it then or the times afterward — My mother and father did not discuss financial concerns with their three children. So we were never concerned or worried about money. We had an allowance 10¢ a week for which we kept our bedroom clean and helped with dishes, cleaning house and yard. When I was 10 — I received 25¢ a week and could ask for more for anything important — but I never did. I did try to get an ice cream cone once when my father was bringing me home from town but he said “no.” So I never asked again. My mother would give me a little extra for candy, 1¢ or 5¢ for the show on Saturday. We had a rather routine life. My parents were careful with all their money — I never felt deprived but I noticed that three of my friends always had more money for spending (candy) than I did but I knew we had to be content with what we had. I suppose I was a little jealous but it wasn’t important. In later years I had a college education which my father paid for, but my three friends did not go to college. A few of our neighbors were not able to keep their homes due to the fathers losing their jobs during the depression but my father kept his job as wholesale hardware continued to be in demand. In 1934 my father had the opportunity to represent several large national hardware companies so he quit the Z.C.M.I. (the largest and oldest Dept. store in America) and worked by himself as a sales representative.

His parents said he was foolish to leave the security of a steady well-known business but he had confidence in himself and could see the great possibilities ahead financially and the depression was over — President Franklin D. Roosevelt seemed to express optimism for the country with his “new deal”. The people of Utah were Republican and slow for change and supported Herbert Hoover. Now we can see the need for reform in governmental attitudes of the 30’s. Pres. Roosevelt was able to create jobs for more people — He did guide away from the jobless state of common men. He raised the living standard for common people but with his measures came more control of the states by the Federal Gov’t. To this day the influence of Strong Central Government is being felt. The congress, president & judicial system nationally are under one government but by this process individuals have lost a voice in government and the free-enterprise system that is so vital to liberty & freedom in/of America — The united states are all controlled (or lost) The balance of power seems to need to come back to individuals and the states. It is this change that is good for America to keep a balance in power government.