Evening star., 1935-05-31

pending proposal, commonly called
the social security program. includes
Federal contributions to the States
in various amounts, to aid the States
in maternal and child health, in as
sistance to crippled children and in
the care of dependent children.
The two major proposals are old
Courts decision of last Monday, or
Surance.
am indebted to the radio for per-
mitting me a few nights ago to dis
cuss the old-age pensions and tonight
for this opportunity to discuss un-
employment insurance. This week
much has happened in Washington.
The decision of the Supreme Court
with reference to N. r. A. has nat
urally caused confusion and impelled
us to take an accounting and engage
in the closest consideration of other
proposals intended to promote the
Nations economic recovery and the
general welfare of the people. In
the discussion of the subject assigned
me tonight I am glad to state, without
minimizing the tremendous effect of
the N. r. A. decision upon future
legislation, that it is the opinion of
the experts in the Department of
Justice and other governmental ex-
perts who have studied the provisions
OF the social security proposal that
they are not affected by the Supreme
Courts decision of last Monday, or
the railroad pension of some weeks
ago.
The N. r. A. Situation.
Permit me to digress for a moment
from the subject assigned me and
refer to the situation as now confronts
the N. r. A.
I have no criticism to make of the
decision of our Supreme Court. 1t Is
traditional with me, and I am sure
with the great majority of our citizens,
to have the highest respect and fullest
confidence in that court Its decisions
must be accepted. and our legislative
department should be in accord with
the courts views and findings.
The Finance Committee, of which I
am chairman, sat for more than seven
weeks, making a thorough investiga-
ticn and study of the administration
of the N. r. A. 1t cannot be denied
that some of the criticism against the
N. r. A. was very just, and should
have been remedied. But I say with
out qualification that 80 per cent of
the criticism could have been elimi-
mated through adjustments in the
administration of the N. R. A.
Throughout the investigation, where
We obtained the views of the business
groups, as we'll as labor from every
section of the country. the sentiment
of this testimony was such that I am
sure majority of the Finance Com
mittee. as well as majority of the
Senate, believed in an extension of
the N. R. A., with certain amend
ments and notifications.
Predicts Preservation.
And while the decision of last Mon
day has thrown us into much con-
fusion. have no doubt that from the
conferences which are being held. and
the close analysis that is being applied
to the decision. some action will be
taken and some policy adopted which
will preserve for the welfare of this
country the good features of the N. R.
A., within constitutional restrictions.
Until that is done, the captains of in
dustry and labor throughout the
country should cooperate in preserv-
ing these codes of fair competition,
fair wages and shorter hours of labor.
1t is to be hoped that the same spirit
that moved our fellow citizens in the
formulation and adoption of codes
under the sanction of law will move
them at this time, that we may hasten
the Nations economic recovery and
prevent the return of the older order
of lower wages, longer hours and
chiseling against honest and fair COM
petition.
AS to the social security proposal.
it is believed that the legislation has
been so carefully prepared that it is
within constitutional limitations, and