Lewis Douglas resigned as Director of the Budget on August 30, 1934. He advocated for a balanced budget as a solution to the Depression during the year he served in that capacity.

“Despite my emotions, I could not refuse the responsibility which has been offered; for in times like these, even more so than in times of war, individuals cease to be significant. Only the common welfare is important,” he said when he accepted President Roosevelt’s offer in 1933.

Lewis Williams Douglas served as the Director of the Budget from 1933 to 1934. A strong believer in balanced budgets and fiscal restraint, Douglas drafted the Economy Act which reduced veterans’ pensions and federal salaries by $500 million in an attempt to offset increased spending. As President Roosevelt relied more heavily on deficit spending to finance relief efforts, Douglas became increasingly critical of the New Deal. He resigned his position on August 30, 1934.

Douglas remained in the private sector for the remainder of the 1930’s. As an avid internationalist, World War II led to his return to public service. In 1942, Roosevelt appointed Douglas Deputy Administrator of the War Shipping Administration. In this capacity, he worked closely with Lend Lease Administrator Harry Hopkins to coordinate the shipment of war material around the world. Poor health forced Douglas to resign in June 1944.