The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-07-11
WINSTON-SALEM REPORTER
EXPLAINS SOCIAL SECURITY


respondent for the Winston-S Salem
Journal, has explained the social Sc
curity bill in the July 7th issue Of the
Winston-Salem Journal SO well that
we reprint part of it here for the
benefit of those who do not under
stand the emasure.
Quoting from Mr.. Brown:
"The social security bill of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's administration, in
large measure removes the haunting
fear of unemployment and Of want in
old age. The bill has passed both
House and Senate, and now is being
whipped into final shape by confer
ees to reconcile the changes made in
the bill in both houses.
"Mueh has been written about the
social security plan, but apparently it
is littis understood by the average
person. Yet the plan will vitality af-
feet about one-haf Of all the norm
ally employed workers of the country.
If it works out as it's proponents be-
lieve it will, the future will be made
much easier for millions Of American
citizens who have known nothing in
the past but lifetime of work, only
to be chst off when they became too
old-cast off to exist as best they
could.
"At first the bill appears highly
complicated. AS it came out of the
Senate it covers more than 80 pages.
The bill itself is not simple, but the
purposes are. It is simple large
scale attempt very large scale at
tempt-on the part of the govern
ment to ease the shock of sudden un-
employment and to provide decent
living for those too old for work.
"Some fortunate few of Americas
millions have provided for their fu-
ture through insurance policies; but
the average wage Garner cannot af-
ford those.
"It is to the people of this class
that the social security program Of
fers hope. Proponents of the plan say
it offers more than hope; that it ac-
tually will work out and make the
future secure for millions of Ameri-
cans. The bill passed by Congress,
though not yet ready for President
Roosevelt's signature, makes little at
tempt to confer immediate benefits.
1t is long-range plan, designed for
the future American rather than for
the present.
"The plan as passed by Congress
has three main points:
81. The establishment of nation
wide system of old-age pensions to
be administered by each state, with
the fereral government making a con-
tribution of SIS a month to persons
IS years of age or over. This plan
will be operated only in conjunction
with the states which must adopt
state laws conforming to certain
standards laid down in the federal
law. The federal contribution of SIS
will not be made unless the state puts
up at least the same amount each
month.
"2. A system of unemployment in
surance (called compensation in the
act) which also will be administered
by the states and to which the federal
government will contribute. No set
sum will be paid by the government
for unemployment insurance; the fed
eral government will make flat
grant of 100000 to the states for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1886,
and $49,OO0,OO0 for each fiscal year
thereafter.
"3. The real heart of the plan, and
something entirely new-a system OF
federal old-age benefits or pensions
to be paid to all persons with certain
exceptions, to be explained later) who
are not employed when they reach IS
vars of age. The amounts of these
pensions will range from $40 to $85
per month.
money to pay the unemployment
compensation will be raised by a fed
eral tax on employers (not on en-
ployees, too) of four or more persons
(as the bill passed the House the tax
applied only to employers of ten or
more, but the Senate reduced this to
four). 1t is possible the figure may
be changed before final approval of
the bill. Likewise it is possible that
some other specific provisions will be
changed; however, the general out
line of the program as set forth here