An industry capable of rapid expansion and essential materials and facilities swiftly available in time of emergency are indispensable to our defense.  I urge, therefore, a two-year extension of the Defense Production Act and Title II of the First War Powers Act of 1941.  These are cornerstones of our program for the development and maintenance of an adequate mobilization base.  At this point, I should like to make this additional observation.  Our quest for peace and freedom necessarily presumes that we who hold positions of public trust must rise above self and section—­that we must subordinate to the general good our partisan, our personal pride and prejudice.  Tirelessly, with united purpose, we must fortify the material and spiritual foundations of this land of freedom and of free nations throughout the world.  As never before, there is need for unhesitating cooperation among the branches of our government.

At this time the executive and legislative branches are under the management of different political parties.  This fact places both parties on trial before the American people.

In less perilous days of the past, division of governmental responsibility among our great parties has produced a paralyzing indecision.  We must not let this happen in our time.  We must avoid a paralysis of the will for peace and international security.

In the traditionally bipartisan areas—­military security and foreign relations—­I can report to you that I have already, with the leaders of this Congress, expressed assurances of unreserved cooperation.  Yet, the strength of our country requires more than mere maintenance of military strength and success in foreign affairs; these vital matters are in turn dependent upon concerted and vigorous action in a number of supporting programs.  I say, therefore, to the 84th Congress: 

In all areas basic to the strength of America, there will be—­to the extent I can insure them—­cooperative, constructive relations between the Executive and Legislative Branches of this government.  Let the general good be our yardstick on every great issue of our time.

Our efforts to defend our freedom and to secure a just peace are, of course, inseparable from the second great purpose of our government:  to help maintain a strong, growing economy—­an economy vigorous and free, in which there are ever-increasing opportunities, just rewards for effort, and a stable prosperity that is widely shared.

In the past two years, many important governmental Actions helped our economy adjust to conditions of peace; these and other actions created a climate for renewed economic growth.  Controls were removed from wages, prices and materials.  Tax revisions encouraged increased private spending and employment.  Federal expenditures were sharply reduced, making possible a record tax cut.  These actions, together with flexible monetary and debt management policies, helped to halt inflation and stabilize the value of the dollar.