Evening star., 1936-12-29

come more intense during the present
century. Briefly, the change has beer
from the simple economy Of early
days, when the average worker was
his own master. to highly complex
industrial order.- based on specialized
technical knowledge and great f1nan-
cial power. Some employers have sim
cerely tried to cushion the impact OF
these vast forces on their employees
by one means or another.
Too Big for = Few.
But the problem cannot be solved
by the efforts of few enlightened and
social minded industrialists. 1t had
reached proportions where only the
Federal Government. working in CO.
operation with the States, could ham
die it. And yet it is no untried ex-
pertinent that we are embarking on.
1t is part of a world movement.
In contrast with Great Britain the
United States was quite unprepared
to meet the depression.
The very fact that the contraction
there reached only about 10 per cent.
while national income here went from
SO billion to approximately 40 billion
from 1929 to 1882, while correspond
ing greater control over unemploy-
ment and an orderly and systematized
care of the sick and the aged was met
by them under legislative action taken
years before and with trained per-
sonnel to administer their social pro-
gram, while we here, only with heroic
effort under emergency measures and
at great cost. we're able to prevent far
greater injury and loss of life than was
suffered by us in the World War, with
the most demoralized labor market
yet experienced by a civilized coun-
try. should prompt us to build con-
structively against a recurrence OF
economic collapse and further to rec
ognize the relationship between social
justice and economic stability.
Shortcomings Recognized.
No one realizes better than We do
who administer it. the shortcomings OF
the law. But We also recognize that
there can be no finality to its form
until every practical effort has been
made to perfect it in the light of
actual experience. We do know that
it holds out to the average man. beset
by anxiety for his very livelihood. the
promise of some degree of protection
against insecurity. We do know that
because of what we are doing. he can
face the chance of unemployment and
the certainty of old age with freer
heart.
1t is not too early to make an ac-
counting of what we have so lately
started. Much has been crowded into
these few months of beginnings. The
act was not implemented with funds
until February II of this year. Since
that time, a million and a half per-
sons have been directly benefited un-
der the programs for public assistance
administered by the Social Security
Board.
Protection Spreads.
Since that time nearly 1900, 900
pClSOAAo 1ldNC pCNil biooSlt oAAS
scope of unemployment compensation
laws which have been passed by IS
States This means that almost so
per cent of all those that may be in
cluded are to be protected against the
temporary hazards of involuntary idle
ness by action already taken.
Since the social security act became
law, funds of the Federal Government
have been made available to every
State and to three Territories for pub
lie health purposes. to 47 States and
Territories for vocational rehabilita-
ton. and to every State and Territory
within the scope Of the act for mater
nal and child welfare work. Literally
millions of Americans in all walks Of
life have benefited and will continue
to benefit from these expenditures.
Progress In Three Fields.
Let us keep clearly in mind that the
sections of the law administered bV