Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-23
ROB|NSONDEFENDS
PARTYLAWMAKERS|
10 Pct. of Unconstitutional
Legislation Passed by Re-
pubIicans, He Says.


last night took occasion to dispute
some of the charges that Democratic
Congresses have enacted more than
their share Of unconstitutional legis-
lation.
Speaking over the National Radio
Forum sponsored by The Washington
Evening Star and the National Broad
casting Co., the Senator declared that
10 per cent Of such legislation has
been enacted by strictly Republican
Congresses.
"Since the founding of the Govern
ment," he said, there have been 80
strictly Democratic Congresses and q
Republican Congresses. Dur
ing the time of these strictly partisan
bodies, the Democrats passed 20 acts
declared unconstitutional and the Re
publicans AZ. So why all the
constitutional partisan 9hrore?"
Historic Session.
Legislation enacted by the first ses-
sion of the Seventy-fourth Congress
now In its closing stages, will go down
among the greatest measures enacted
in the history of our Government, ~
the Democratic leader declared. Out
standing in this record is the social
security act, enough in itself to quail
lily the session among memorable
Congresses"
Other noteworthy legislation he
listed as veterans benefit legislation
emergency relief appropriations, the
banking act, national labor relations
act, bus and truck regulation and a
long list Of lesser enactments. In the
seven months thus far, he said, 10000
bills and resolutions were presented ir
the House and nearly 1000 in the
Senate. Nearly $4,000 nominations
were considered.
The text of Senator Robinson's ad-
dress follows:
Near the close of one Of the longest
sessions Of Congress ever held, it may
be truly said that the first session Of
the seventy fourth Congress has justi-
fled its prolongation by passing legis.
lation, the quality Of which is com.
parable to the greatest measures en-.
acted in the history Of our Govern
ment.
dare say many people who have
followed the newspaper accounts Of
the proceedings understand the i'm
portance of the legislation of this
session. Some of the newspaper head
lines have related to the differences
expressed as to legislation, but the
Congress. in the main, has actually
been harmonious, hard-working body
engaged in threshing out differences
to the end that wise and necessary
laws be enacted.
The partisan newspapers have
stressed wrangles. That is quite nat
ural for there is drama in a struggle,
and no drama at all in the ordinary
routine Of legislation. Men Of prin-
ciple will fight for their convictions,
and in the earnestness Of debate sharp
things are said. Also, to some extent,
politics enters into the motives and
movements Of Congressman. That Is
not 50 bad as it sounds, for 1t sharp
ems criticism of bills, and refines the
final measures.
Legislation frequently Is suggested
by the President as the Constitution
contemplates. Administration sources
very naturally find the need for legis-
lation from experience in administer.
ing prior laws. Every one Of the
measures disposed Of has been de-
bated, analysed, and I believe i'm
proved. Some are still before con-
ferences of the two houses of
Congress, in the process of recon-
cling divergent views of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.
Social Security.
II the session soon ending had done
nothing but enact the social security
act, it would have qualified itself for
q place among memorable Congresses
This measure represents progress. Old
age pensions, unemployment insur-
ance and definite recognition of the
obligations to take care Of such un-
fortunates as crippled children, the
blind and INDECENT mothers are some
of the features Of this new law. The
bill creates Federal-State unemploy-
ment compensation; it provides that
after September /, 1886, employers
will be assessed excise taxes on their
pay rolls Of 1 per cent next year,
per cent the year following and
per cent thereafter. The funds will
be paid according to laws adopted by
the States. The bill allows q credit
up to 80 per cent to employers on
account Of taxes paid to particular
State unemployment funds, and grants
q Federal subsidy of $4,000, 900 in
1886 and 10000 annually there
after to assist the States. The bill au-
thorizes s24, 750, 900 to assist the States
in aid to dependent children; grants
are to be made Of one-third by the
Federal Government and two thirds
by the States with the Federal allow
ance limited to Sc to q child and 81 to
any other child In the same house.
hold: $3.s00,000 year is the Federal
Governments contribution for the
health Of mothers and children, es-
pecially in rural areas, and $2,S50, o0O
year is granted in providing surgi-
cal and other facilities for crippled
children. The Nation will grant So
100000 to assist the States in general
health service and 100000 on a
fifty-fifty basis for pensioning the
needy blind: There are, Of course,
other grants and provisions, but the
most important Of them is a cash
benefit to people over IS years old,
based on the total amount of wages
received before the beneficiary at
tanned the retirement age The
Treasury Is to be reimbursed for these
grants by a tax upon both employers
and employees based upon the latter's
wages. Unemployment insurance Is
part Of the program, the rate Of pay
being based on the average monthly
salary contingent and varying accord
ing to the years of employment. Every
effort Is made in those provisions to
guard against favoritism. The Social
Security Board will be composed Of
three members, not more than two OF
whom to belong to the same political
party, and the terms Of ONCE will be
r;v xoore IL, nyder that Neri0dical an