Evening star., 1939-02-24
By j, A, OLEARY.

leg1Sldtlon ana Is pressing for
action in the present session.
BY J. A. OLEARY.
Federal aid to the States to care
for 100000 unemployables-physi-
cally or mentally handicapped-was
proposed today by Senator Byrnes,
Democrat, of South Carolina as a
new feature of his permanent plan
to solve the unemployment problem.
AS hearings on the measure got
under way. Senator Byrnes an
nounced this new form of social
security would be on $3.50 match
ing basis, the same as old-age pen
sions. The Senator, chairman of the
Senate's Unemployment Committee,
suggested that this new program
start with Federal appropriation
Of $l25 100000 a year.
In support of merging present
work relief agencies in a depart
ment of public works. Senator
Byrnes said a mayor or Governor
can come to Washington now for a
new building, and if P. w. A. turns
him down on the 55-45 per cent basis,
he can take taXicab over to w. P.
A. and apply for it on an 1917 per
cent basis
1T might be called unfair COM
petition Senator George, Democrat,
Of Georgia. suggested with smile.
Under the pending bill all projects
would be In the Department of Pub
lie Works, with a uniform percent
age Of one-third local contribution
Extends Security Field.
Federal aid for physically and
mentally handicapped persons was
not in the bill as introduced and
would extend the Social Security
Act into a new field Senator Byrnes
said it would help take care of per-
sons, now relying on State, city and
county funds.
Another highlight was request
by Senator Harrison, Democrat, of
mississippi, for an investigation to
nnd out how many persons may be
receiving both an old-age pension
from State and work relief from
w. P. A.
Senator Byrnes said he had al
ready put the same question to w.
r. A. officials in a letter.
Chairman Arthur ]. Altmeyer of
the Social Security Board said he
does not believe there are many on
w. P. A. rolls actually receiving
old-age pensions" He said he had
not investigated, but based his state
ment on the knowledge that the
States have so many applicants
waiting for old-age assistance they
would hardly make such payments
to people on w. P. A.
More Liberal Payments Urged.
You would think So" Senator
Harrison observed, yet the w. P. A.
has worked in mysterious ways in
some States"
General Endorsement of the pro-
vlslonal liberalizing old-age pensions
and unemployment compensation
was given by Mr.. Altmeyer, the first
to testify as the hearing opened.
They not only are in accord, but 20
beyond the recommendations of the
board, he said in what they setup
more definite standards to be COM
piled with by the States.
THE most important character
istiI of The bill is the fixing of more
definite Standards" Mr.. Altmeyer
saids Second In importance is the
grading of grants in accordance
with the economic capacity of the
States. The two must be consid-
cred together When you ask the
States to meet higher standards YOU
must consider the economic capac-
ity OF the States"
Mr.. Altneyey told the committee
II the beginning of reurements
from private industry under the
old-age insurance plan is moved up
from 1912 to 1910, as the bill pro-
poses, the monthly annuities would
nave to be liberalized for a few
years because of the shorter time
tney nave been paying into the
| fund.
Bill Follows Report.
Under the present law, he said,
man would have to work years to
draW a $15-a-month social security
annuity when he retires.
In response to questions, he said
II the plan starts in 1910 instead of
1912, he thinks an employe who has
been earning $50 month should
draw a $40 benefit if single and $50
If married He said this could be
done out Of the present reserves
for Is years, but thereafter pay roll
taxes would have to be raised.
The bill is being handled by the
Special Unemployment Committee,
which spent year in search of some
more permanent method of provid-
ing for the Nations jobless army
than is provided by temporary work
relief projects. And, since the bill
follows the general outline of the
report filed by that committee a
month ago, the present hearings are
expected to be brief.
The theory behind the bill is that
the Budget Bureau each year would
determine, in the light Of existing
conditions, how much the Federal
Government should spend, In CO.
operation with the States, to create