Evening star., 1932-09-05
JOBLESS INCOME
NEW BILL FEATURE
Morrison Discusses Labor
Insurance Measure in
Radio Address.
Continued From First Page.)

who drafted the unemployment insur-
ance law and it's rate is now reported
as high as 16 per cent of wages.
Opponents Of the measure in this
country say unemployment insurance
everywhere eventually gets around to
one part of the population Giving mis-
erably and unproductively on taxes
taken from that part of the population
which at the time does not happen
to be living quite as miserably."
Hazard Of Catastrophe.
Insurance executives contend that
contingencies that occur more or less
regularly may have catastrophe haZ-
ard which can be covered, provided the
catastrophe is not too inducive. With
unemployment, they point out, the con-
tingency at times Is known to cover
large areas and extend for long dura-
tions with disastrous severity.
Therefore. they hold, 1t presents con-
ditions so at variance with this basic
essential requirement that it makes un-
employment a far less satisfactory in
surance risk than any other type of
insurance covered.
On the other hand, Mr. Morrison
pointed out that a large proportion OF
wage workers are not fully employed
throughout the year and their incomes
are modest and leave little surplus for
reserve funds. "In the exceptional in
stances" he explained, where members
of our organizations have had any de-
gree of regular employment they have
taken action through their organiza-
tions to have such members share work
opportunities with the unemployed
members and in addition assess them
selves for the relief of those who have
been unable to secure employment.
by these measures the membership
of the organizations affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor have
contributed and distributed millions of
dollars for relief purposes to their
members
The 73-year-old labor leader, who has
held Office with the federation for 81
years, declared the depression now APP
preaching its fourth Winter, 'has Gre
ated an acute condition Of need for al
workers and their dependents"
Conception of Hardships.
He said the relief work so far car
ried out by the organizations will give
some conception of the hardships which
members of organized labor are un-
dergoing not only for the relief OF theil
distressed members, but to hold the
membership intact, SO that their unions
may be able to carry on struggle for the
protection and advancement OF the In
terests of the workers"
The tendency toward a shorter work
day and shorter work-week was termed
irresistible" by Mr.. Morrison.
Labor continues its struggle for the
right to bargain collectively and select
its own representatives in negotiating
wage contracts" he said
Il venture the opinion that an old.
age pension system in this country il
inevitable. Sentiment for this legisla.
ton will grow as the mechaniZation oI
industry Is intensified and as scientific
processes become more general, with
the consequent enlargement Of tht
number of unemployed.
THE same forces are driving indus
try to fiye-day week and a shorter
work day. The present depression
with 100000 idle workmen, is thu
best defense of our shorter work weei
demand.
In the political field the American
Federation of Labor is non-partisan
An active political campaign has
been carried on for the purpose
of electing our avowed friends anc
members of our unions to the Congress
of the United States and to al
other Offices where the interests of labor
can be served"