The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-01-04
Action of A.F.L.'s
SociuI Security
Committee Oked
Studies Have Made Vdluu-
BILE Contributions To
Program

The American Federation of Labor
Committee on Social Security, con-
sisting of Third Vice President Mat
thew Woll, Seventh Vice President G.
NJ. Bugniazet, and President John P.
Frey of the Metal Trades Depart
ment, were highly commended by the
1899 convention of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor at Cincinnati, Ohio,
for their work in studying the prob
lens in the social security field from
the viewpoint of those whose incomes
are derived from wages and making
recommendations to the Federation
for progressive changes in the social
security law.
In recommending the continuation
of the committee, the convention said:
"The Committee on Social Security
appointed by the Executive Council
has done excellent work in studying
the proposed amendments to the So
cial Security Act and in representing
the American Federation of Labor
before both House and Senate Com
mittee hearings on unemployment
compensation, old age insurance, pub
lie assistance programs and public
health proposals. The American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor expects this Com
mittee to study security laws in oper-
alton so as to be able to recommend
satisfactory principles and formulae
and to suggest needed changes.
Represented A. F. of l.. on Social
Security Advisory Council
"The members of the Committee on
Social Security served as the repre-
sentatives of the American Fedora
ton of Labor on the Advisory Council
on Social Security, appointed by the
Senate Special Committee on Social
Security and the Social Security
Board in May, 1887.
"The final report of this Advisory
Council was presented in December,
1888. It's study included Titles III and
VIII of the Social Security Act which
deal with Federal Old Age Benefits.
The recommendation of the Council
formed the basis for most of the lib
eralization in benefits which have put
old age security on family rather
than an individual basis, and the
change in the tax and reserve pro-
visions which were included in the
amendments to the Act this year.
members Of the Social Security
Board and Congressman alike praised
the Advisory Council for it's pains
taking study. We wish to thank our
own representatives for their share
in that work. u...
Social Security Program Must BE
Protected Against Anti-LabOr
Sentiment
Labor is confident that the Social
Security program will be improved
further in later sessions of Congress.
We need studies of unemployment
compensation and of disability as
careful and thorough as those made
for old age by the Advisory Council.
While the public health program is
being prepared for it's next presenta-
ton to Congress, Labor should de-
mand that its provisions, particularly
those relating to industrial hygiene,
conform to our program.
Social Security is peculiarly Labor's
program. We must be prepared to
present and urge the interests of
workers in every division of the pro-
gram before it takes final shape as
well as watching its operation and
proposing needed amendments. In
both National and State legislative
sessions the American Federation of
Labor must help defend the rights of
workers against the rising anti-labor
sentiment which has manifested itself
in proposals designed to hamper
unions and reduce the security already
won"