Evening star., 1935-01-19
DEMOCRATS MOVE
TO BLOCK OLD-ACE
PENSION REVOLT
Leaders See Signs of Some
Joining Republicans for
More Liberal Benefits.
LARGER CONTRIBUTIONS
FOR STATES ADVOCATED
Roosevelt Sees No Reason Why
They Should Not Chip in
$50 a Month.
BY the Associated Press.

by the ASSOClaLeQ tTeSS.
The Democratic leadership today
sought to head of any revolt"
against major features of the Roose-
velt social security program.
While Capitol Hill saw signs that
some Democrats would join with some
Republicans in fighting for more lib
eral benefits for the unemployed and
the aged, administration leaders
studied declaration by the President
that he saw no reason why States
should not make the pensions for
those now old and needy higher than
$50 a month.
Though he said sound financing re-
quired the Federal Government 10
limit its part of the contributions to
SIS, he indicated belief that States
might, if they desired, chip in more
than that sum.
While Republicans, as group, with
held comments pending meetings at
which they will discuss their stand,
the President sought quick action by
Congress. He said yesterday he hoped
the legislation would go through
quickly so State Legislatures-44 OF
which are meeting now or soon will be
in session-can go ahead with their
share of the program.
The House Ways and Means Com
mittee and the Senate Finance Com
nittee plan to hold hearings early
next week. Besides Senator Borah
Republican, Of Idaho, who had pre-
viously objected to the SIS Federal
contribution as inadequate, Senator
Long. Democrat, of Louisiana. voiced
opposition yesterday. Calling for $50
or $40 month, he said:
"All the people would get that would
do EN- any good under that SIS plan
could be put in your right eye"
Difficulties arose in another quarter
when Chairman Connery Of the House
Labor Committee made clear that he
planned to go ahead and hold old-age
pensions hearings despite the fact the
administrations Wamer-Lewis bill
had been referred to the Ways and
Means Committee. He said the COM
mittee, members of which are pro-
testing against being ignored, would
aim at an old-age plan more satis-
factory to the people"
An attempt to supplant the admin
istration plan with the Townsend bill
for 5000 month is planned by Repre-
sentative McGroarty, Democrat, Of
California.
Senator Wagner, Democrat, of New
York and Secretary of Labor Perkins
are expected to appear before con-
greSsional committees next week to
explain the administrations plans.
Press for Work Relief.
Meanwhile, the administration is
pressing ahead with its drive for work
relief. The President and House
Democratic leaders have agreed on a
resolution, to be introduced Monday,
giving the President free power to ad-
minister s4,0O0,00 900 for work re-
lief and $3.50, ,Oo0, 900 for the transit
tion from the dole to jobs.
Despite protests that have arisen
against lump sum" appropriations,
leaders planned to rush it through
the House early next week under
drastic rules curbing opposition.
The Public Works Administration,
under the direction of Secretary Ickes,
called on States and localities to fur
nish before February IL a national
inventory" on work projects which
might be carried on with the $4,000
100000 fund.
A tremendous" and favorable in
terest in old-age pension legislation
was reported by Representative Keller,
Democrat of Illinois, to have been
evidenced by governors in response to
queStionnaireS he sent them recently.
Taimadge Offers Protest.
Keller said Gov. Talmadge Of
Georgia was the only one out of 81
who had replied that had expressed
opposition to such benefits for the old.
He said Talmadge expressed fear that
the pension would destroy the incen-
tive to the young to work and accumu-
late for themselves.
The Illinois member said most Of
the governors favored $50 month,
one suggested $40 and one proposed
even a larger amount.
Norman Thomas, the Socialist
leader, said in a statement last night
that Socialists were naturally gratified
that the principle of social security
had been recognized but that the
amounts provided for were "shockingly
Inadequate"
"'The capitalistic system can
neither produce enough nor distribute
it equally enough to conquer poverty
he said. That requires Socialism.
There must be far more vigorous
extension of the principle Of unem-
ployment insurance, or, more accu-
rately, indemnity, to those who are
now unemployed through no fault Of
their own and who cannot and will
not be absorbed by the Presidents