Montana labor news., 1935-02-07
Happenings in Congress
BY Hon. Joseph P. Monaghan
Reconstruction Finance Bill

Reconstruction Finance Bill
With the passage OF the Reconstruc-
tion Finance Corporation Bill Tues
day, the House assured the continuation
OF this great National banking insti-
tuition which has made possible the sal
wage OF many enterprises. How strange
it is that business that would oppose
a Federal-controlled central banking
system favored and permitted its pas
sage. The Scrugham Amendment, au-
thorizing the Corporation to make loans
not exceeding $4,000 for the develop
ment of gold or silver mining proper
ties, was adopted by the House. This
provision should prove a great aid TO
the miners of the West.
Pay Restoration
Notwithstanding the Presidents pro-
mise to restore salaries of Federal en-
ployees as of July l, the Senate COM
promised with Senator McCarran's pro-
posal for a payment retroactive to Jan
uary and amended the Independent
Office Appropriation Bill to restore the
cut as OF April 1. The compromise
proved agreeable, the House adopting
it Wednesday, and the Bill, no doubt,
will become a law by the Presidents
signature.
Home Owners Loan Corporation
On the Floor of the House Wednes-
day, Mr.. Kenney of New Jersey urged
the extension of the Home Owners
Loan Corporation In response to my
question, Mr.. Kenney agreed that the
situation in my District was the same
as in his. My own appeal concluded
in these words: This situation is of
sufficient urgency to demand the i'm
mediate attention of the Congress, and
that, in connection with old age pen
sions and other measures of para
mount Importance. Such legislation is
best designed to promote the security
and peace Of the Nation, and we must
not delay its enactment"
White House Reception
Invitations to the impressive White
House Reception read as follows
THE PRESIDENT AND MRS.
ROOSEVELT REQUESTS T H E.
PLEASURE OF THE COMPANY
OF MR.. BLANK AT A RECEPTION
TO BE HELD AT THE WHITE
HOUSE THURSDAY EVEN
JANUARY 81, 1885, AT 9 O'CLOCK"
Such is a command which most Amer
leans receive with pleasure. 1t affords
an opportunity to obtain hand-shake
and word with the President and Mrs
Roosevelt; an opportunity which other
wise might not arise. After standing
in the receiving line for about an hour,
the President and Mrs. Roosevelt, ac-
companied by few of their more in
innate friends, retire to private quar-
tiers, while the other guests enjoy them
selves in the East Room and other
parts of the White House. Postmast-
er General Farley and Attorney Cen
eral Cummings were the only Cabinet
officers who were conspicuously pre-
sent.
Old Age Pensions
The Ways and Means Committee is
yet considering the security legislation
proposed by the President Madame
Perkins, Mr. Hopkins, Mr.. Green and
others have appeared before the Com
mittee. In the Senate, Senator Borah
and others have attacked the low scale
of allowance for retirement, but to
date no liberalization has materialized
1t is my intention to press for sub
stantial increase in the benefits which,
as the bill provides, are entirely un-
satisfactory.
DR.. Townsend reports that he is be-
ing investigated by the Post Office De-
partment. Various organizations pro-
noting the worthy cause OF Old Age
Pensions and, therefore, accomplish
ing much of benefit have sprung up
since America has become Old Age |
Pension conscious. The field soon was
found to be very lucrative, one orgazi-
zation collecting a modest dime from
each contributor, netting as much as
500 a day. Congressional Record
February 10, 1884, page 2403) 1t is
perfectly possible that such plan,
however nobly designed, could easily
resolve into money-making scheme.
A booklet on Old Age Pensions, "Un-
to These Also" sent to me by the au-
thor, Edwin Arleigh Brown, sets forth
most magnificent appeal for Old Age
Pensions. The sincerity of one genu-
inely interested in cause is welcome
relief from the clamor of promoted
schemes and mostrume. A postscript
states: II regard all do towards So
cial reform as service towards my be-
loved country" and a study OF this
masterful treatise cannot fail to con-
vince that such service was Browns
only purpose.
NEW YORK. -(FP)-The ninetieth
Il