Evening star., 1939-04-19
Senate Committee
Votes 10 Divide
Byrnes Relief Plan
Amendment Affecting
Workers Who Retire
In 1910 Dropped

A special Senate committee voted
today to split into two bills the
public works and social security fea-
lures of the Byrnes plan for per-
manent solution Of the unemploy-
ment problem.
At the same time, the committee
struck from the bill the Lodge
amendment adopted less than a
week ago, which would have given
workers who retire in 1910 under
the old-age insurance system not
less than the average old-age gra-
tuity payments in their respective
States. The old-age insurance plan
comes out of pay roll taxes from
employers and employees, while the
gratuity pensions are provided from
State funds and Federal grants to
those who were too old when social
security started to acquire a re-
serve through pay roll taxes.
Senator Byrnes, Democrat, OF
South Carolina, said the change was
made because the Social Security
Board feared the minimum estab-
lished by the Lodge amendment
would affect the actuarial setup of
the insurance system.
Senator Lodge, Republican, of
Massachusetts, opposing the move,
contended it would mean some
workers who had contributed toward
their old-age benefit would get less
than those on the gratuity rolls.
Procedure Planned.
Separation of the subject into two
bills will enable the House to pro-
ceed first with revision of social
security, while the Senate makes a
start probably tomorrow, on the
public works plan. This would con-
solidate w. P. A., P. w. A., C. c. c.,
the National Youth Administration
and Public Buildings Branch of the
Treasury and the Bureau of Public
Roads of the Agriculture Depart
ment The bill also lays down def
mite formulas for allocating future
Federal work grants to the States.
Bipartisan opposition has devel-
oped in the House w. p A. Investi-
eating Committee to the Byrnes
program.
In contrast, four Republicans on
the Byrnes committee submitted a
report last night saying it would be
essentially step forward in refor-
nation Of Federal unemployment
relief activities"
The Senators-Lodge Davis, Penn
sylvania: McNary, Oregon. and
Frazier, North Dakota-said consoli-
dation would effect administrative
economies
Taber Opposes Plan.
Representative Taber of New York,
senior minority member of the House
committee, said the Byrnes plan
would not solve the relief problem
because it proposed merely to con-
tinue the existing set-up without
basic changes.
mo plan will solve the problem
II 1t does not return to the States
sufficient power so that they can
administer projects" Representative
Taber said. I'VE have not tried
that yet. and I know Of no good
reason why we shouldn't"
Mr.. Taber said a bill by Repre-
sentative Woodrum. Democrat, of
Virginia which would abolish w. P.
A. and substitute a drastically cur
tailed unemployment relief admins
tration to make grants to States,
more nearly met his views.
Representative Woodrum said he
was opposed to the Byrnes proposal
and expressed belief the House
might work out different plan.
AS legislators considered changes
in the relief system. President
Roosevelt told reporters he would
send to Congress in a week or 10
days a request for W. P. A. funds
for the year beginning July l. He
confirmed. subject to last-minute
study. statements made in the Sem
ate that he would ask for 81, $780,
100000.
Probers Study Testimony.
Meanwhile, the House w. P. A..
investigators were studying the testi-
mony OF officers of the Workers
Alliance, w. P. A. employees organ