Evening star., 1938-12-08
Social Security
Changes 10 Be Before
Council Tomorrow
Druft to LiberoIize
OId-Aee Pensions
To Be Completed

Prepared to complete the draft OF
liberalizing changes In the old-age
insurance provisions of the Social
Security Act, which have been under
study for. the past year, so the pro-
gram may be ready for the new
Congress, the Social Security Ad-
visory Council will open tomorrow
the two-day session here that is to
terminate its activities.
With the Endorsement Of President
Roosevelt, the council already is
committed to the principle OF in
surance for aged wives of annuitants
and benefits for aged widows and
young children Of annuitants, and
for the extension of benefits to ap-
proximately 100000 employees in
private non-profit, charitable and
educational institutions who were
excluded specifically from the oper.
alton Of the act. The report, 1t was
said today, is expected to point the
way to means Of financing these
changes.
Other Recommendations.
In addition the council is to make
recommendations on other specific
proposals advanced by the Presi-
dent several months ago, including
those for starting payments earlier
than the date now contemplated
January l, 1942-and paying larger
benefits to annuitants in the first
years of the applicability of the law.
Thus far, it was said today, the
board has not been advised of the
view of the council on these items.
nor on the suggestion that coverage
be extended to farm labor and do
mestic servants.
Congress, which already has be-
fore 1t several suggested changes,
is expected to go to work on the
entire program early In the session.
The changes thus far advocated by
the board are for extending cover
age to 100000 seamen and other
workers on American vessels; to
300, 900 employees of banks that are
members Of the Federal Reserve
System. and for lifting the present
requirement that a workers wage
credits stop at the age Of IS.
Domestic Help Coverage.
After President Roosevelt recon-
mended that the insurance pro-
visions be extended as widely as
possible. the Social Security Board,
at the request of the council. SUBJ
mltted report dealing with cover
age OF farm and domestic help. The
best way of handling that phase, it
has been said by officials, would be
by the tax stamp plan used abroad.
This permits employers and en-
ployes to keep a check on wages.
This coverage would add something
more than 10000 900 workers to the
old-age benefits rolls, which now
are above 100000 and already
two schools of thought are develop
ing on Capitol Hill.
Senator Norris, Independent, of
Nebraska, an administration sup
porter, said he feared such a step
would be impracticable, according to
the Associated Press.
senator Norris said he believed it
would be next to impossible" to re-
quire farmers and housewives to
keep pay roll and tax records.
On the other hand, Senator
Green, Democrat, of Rhode Island,
also an administration backer, was
inclined to discount this dif1culty,
He said he had not made up his
mind on proposals to broaden the
protective base of the law, but added
That they must be considered from
q financial standpoint as well.
An influential Southern Senator,
who requested anonymity, predicted
that resentment among farmers over
any proposal to make them liable
Tor pay roll tax payments would be
felt In political circles Immediately.