Evening star., 1938-08-15
HEALTH PROGRAM
PROPOSAL SEEN
President Is Expected to
Urge Insurance Plan in
Radio Talk.
BY the Associated Press.

Federal health insurance may be-
come one of President Roosevelt's pro-
posals for broadening the social secur-
ity program
The President, who will speak to-
night on the third anniversary of the
Social Security Act, already has rec
commended studies looking toward en-
larging the program in other respects.
A hint that he might mention
health protection system appeared in
statement by Chairman AitHeyer OF
the Social Security Board
The question of health protection"
Mr.. Altmeyer said, lis beginning to
appear on the horizon. We may one
day set up safeguards against the
hazards of illness, paralleling our pres
ent lines of defense against the haz-
ards OF want during unemployment
and of a destitute old age"
The Presidents brief speech will be
broadcast to the Nation over all ma jor
networks at $50 pm. Eastern stand
ard time 1t will be delivered from
the White House
simultaneously. birthday party"
for the act will be under way at the
Shoreham Hotel with speeches sched-
Of New York and Representative Lewis,
Democrat, of Maryland, sponsors of
the law in Congress. and Secretary of
Labor Perkins. This observance will
begin at $50 pm. with Mr.. Roosevelt's
radio address being cut into the pro-
gram Later, there will be a dance
and buffet supper.
Would Abolish State Tax.
As the President prepared to speak
on this subject. Judge Henry Ellen
boeen, chairman of the Committee on
Social Legislation of the National
Lawyers Guild. suggested today that
all State taxes for unemployment COM
pensation under the Social Security
Act be abolished and the per cent
Federal tax retained.
He suggested to his committee that
it propose this and other changes
in the Social Security Act to Congress
at its next session.
Under the present system the Fed
eral Government levies on EMPLOYERS
but credits as payment on the Fed
eral tax, up to 80 per cent of its
amount, the tax paid by an employer
IN q Ind
argued this system caused "unneces.
sary administrative expense"
He recommended also the eompen-
sation benefits be increased to a mini
mum above the figure giver the un-
employed in public relief payments,
and be paid for as much as 26 weeks
per year.
Judge Ellenbogen, former member
of the House, was sponsor of the Dis
trict Unemployment Compensation
Act.
Talk TO Be General.
Few expected Mr.. Roosevelts ad-
dress tonight to contain many DO
litical references, inasmuch as aides
of the President said it would be very
general and would not mention names
of individuals or States.
Until that announcement, there had
been speculation that Mr.. Roosevelt
might utilize the occasion to praise
Representative David j. Lewis of
Maryland, who is trying to unseat
Senator Millard Tydings.
Mr.. Roosevelt had a lunch-hour
conference arranged today with Rep
resentative GoldSborough. Democrat,
of Maryland. possibly to talk over the
Maryland situation.
Mr.. Lewis, who calls himself 400
per cent New Dealer" Is one of the
authors of the Social Security Act
Senator Tydings on the other hand,
has opposed several administra ton
measures.
Many Capital politicians believe the
President will express his preference
for Mr.. Lewis before the September
primary in Maryland. There appeared
little chance, however, that he would
do so this week, for he will be in
Canada Wednesday and Thursday to
receive an honorary degree and to
dedicate an international bridge.
Before his departure he probably
will discuss the political situation with
some Of his advisers. There is q lull
in important primaries during the
next two weeks. although Wyoming
voters will nominate memberA of the
House tomorrow ana Missik ppians
viii do m Aus1ist n