, 1935-01-23
WASHINGTON
Ely George Durnn


Laggard-The Wagner-LewiS bill
providing old-Age pensions and un-
employment insurance Is framed TO
cut deep into the roots OF what
once was defended on all sides AZ
states rights" The federal gov
eminent viii have control Of the
funds and oversee state administra-
ton. Passage Of the bill viii virtual
Nv force ar states 70 adopt accom-
panying legislation OF their own
Yet theIt is little or no outcry
against It. Many congressman think
It does not 60 tar enough and are
demanding more generous treat
ment OF ttp aged and jo5less.
Economic views OF members OF
both majot political parties have
changed vastly since the crash OF
20 Social security Is now regarded
rs mr. essential part OF the recovery
program. tn u pointed out we
actually are backward IN not hav-
ing adopted It before, as have most
other major nations.
Retlcent - Politicians who would
have shouted violation OF states
rights at the Wagner-Lewts bill In
days gone by would have motivated
by the same reason which lined
them up consistently against a
sales tax.
There are quite q few states In
which q large section Of the popu-
lation neve las paid direct taxes.
"A sales tax uf0lld nave hit these
poor people for the first time. Now
the federal pa yroll tax viii touch
them-of course for their personal
benefit.
some OF the old timers who viii
vote AYE" on the final roll call
aren't saying much at present
Senator Pat Harrison OF Miss. be-
fore whose Finance Committee the
bill Is now being reviewed. lodged
questions as 10 his personal views.
He would say merely: II presume
the Presidents wishes win prevail"
Lacking--5enafor Wagner made
his original move in the direction
OF social security during the Hoover
Administration when he introduced
q Oil setting up a comprehensive
national system Of employment
agencies. "A biz feature Of the setup
was that 1t would have made con-
stantly available accurate statistics
on the number Of unemployed.
Such figures are much needed In
determining the necessary extent of
federal aid bur arti now lacking.
Mr.. Hoover weiasled the Wagner
measure for some Anne before Tin
ally turning q thumb on II and 10
never came DO a vote. Curiously
enough. back In ttle Harding ad-
ministration, when Mr.. Hoover vas
Secretary OF Commerce and the
nation was aghaSt at the idea OF
3. 10000 unemployed, the former
president was a meTibe- OF a COM
mission which studisd the problem
ueeply and marie recommendations
roughly along the lirkas Of the Wag-
ner idea
III that system or federal aeen-
cies were running today the task OF
inaugurating unemployment insur-
ance and old-age peneions would be
vastly Simplfied-So those con-
fronted with the Job say.
Pedestal Letters continue 70
come to this desk Gliding the writer
for saying Ii would ts.ke a AZ per
cent sales tax To finance the old
age pension plar OF Dr. Frank T.
Townsend on a basis OF 1888 sta
tistics. Many challenge the fairness
OF using 1888 as q basic year and
request personal replies. Will those
who asked the courtesy OF an
answer please accept the following:
It Is true that 1888 ives mo nor
NAL year OF business" as quite q
few dissenters wrote. Statistics for
that year are the latest available.
Assuming that the prosperity or
1929 had returned-and It hardly