The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1932-10-21
Article No. 4

insurance bill was introduced in the
Massachusetts legislature in 1916.
That same year federal unemploy-
ment insurance bill was introduced
by the socialist congressman, Meyer
London. Up to the present depres-
sion, fifteen bills had been introduced
in six states Connecticut, Massachu-
setts, Minnesota, New York, Penn
sylvania and wisconsin,. All of
these, except the Winconsin bills,
which will be discussed later, were
sponsored by socialists and without
the help of organized labor asked or
given.
This early history probably had a
good deal to do with the reluctance
of the A. F. of L. to endorse unem-
ployment insurance until recently.
Whereas in most European countries
the aims of organized labor and of
socialism have been sympathetic, if
not IDENTICAL in America the A. F..
of L., under Mr.. Gompers and since,
has always held that any dabbling
with political "radicalism" was weak
ening to the strength of "pure and
simple" unionism. The reasons for
this antagonism lie far back in labor
history, in the fight against dual un-
ionism, and every member and every
observer of the labor movement real
ICES its still present force.
As a matter of fact the socialist
unemployment insurance proposals
are not particularly radical" though
they would probably be more difficult
to pass than other types. Benefits
are provided at so per cent of wages,
with additions for wife and children.
The cost would be divided between
employers contributions and those of
the state, to be raised by increased
income taxes. This is in line with
the theory of socialism that large
incomes represent money taken away
from the workers; unemployment in
surance is one method of returning it
to them.
Not so clear is the logic which leads
the communist party to advocate un-
employment insurance. The social
lists claim that violent revolution can
be averted by such progressive meas
ures as unemployment insurance. But
the communists tell us violent revolu-
ton is inevitable, the sooner the bet
ter, and that anything which "amel-
iorates" the condition of the workers
and so delays the revolutionary sit
uation" should be opposed. In view
of this theory think the communists
can fairly be charged with advocating
unemployment insurance only to de-
feat it. Their support certainly in
creases conservative opposition, and
they recommend a type of bill which
could never be passed in any legis-
lative body in this country; which
most workers even would oppose
full wages for every unemployed per-
son, to be paid indefinitely, and to be
paid of course by employers and the
government. why work?) Every
thing else they call flake" unemploy-
ment insurance.
Here | should like to speak of an
orgaization supposed to be composed
of union MEMBERSHIP New York A.
F. of L. trade union committee for
unemployment insurance relief. If this
| is not communist inspired, the type
of bill it recommends and the tactics
| it uses are amazing condolences. 1t
began by denouncing the leaders of
| the A. F. of l.. for not endorsing un-
employment insurance; now that
those leaders are actively behind un-
employment insurance, it abuses them
even more violently. 1t is hard to
believe the claim of this organization
to include 800 trade unions, and
earnestly beg unionists to investigate
it's aims before joining with it. Ger
tainly it is not endorsed by the A.
F. of L.
The Wisconsin bill for unemploy-
ment insurance has the honor to be
the only one yet made law. Four at
tempts were made in that state, be-
ginning in 1921 and finally succeed
ing in January Of this year. From
the beginning it had the support OF
the Wisconsin Federation of Labor
as we'll as of the progressive LaFol-
lette forces and of the socialists. Be
fore it was finally passed the power
| full farm organizations of the state
were also won to the cause by the
realization that it would mean
greatly improved market for farm
products during periods of depres.
| sion.
This law is of very distinct type
based on the idea that insurance
should be primarily to force employ
ers to stabilize, and that it is com
paratively unimportant whether the
relief furnished is adequate. Fol
this reason contributions are made