Evening star., 1943-08-15
Administration Opens
Drive 10 Expand
Social Security Plan
BY J. A. OLEARY,

Leo by President Roosevelt, ad-
uinistration forces observed the
eighth anniversary of the Social
Security Act yesterday by opening
drive for broad expansion of the
law when Congress returns next
Month.
Senator Wagner, Democrat, OF
New York, who played leading
part in writing the measure in 1885
urged early hearings and action on
the bill that he joined in sponsoring
In June, to extend social security to
millions not now covered, to embrace
new fields of social insurance and
to aid returning veterans of this war
The details of this bill follow in
substance changes also advocated
by Federal Security Administrator
McNutt.
Roosevelt Urges Extension.
Mr.. Roosevelt urged extension of
the law In a statement also recall
Ing the second anniversary of the
Atlantic Charter.
The President called the Social
Security Act that humanitarian
law" which made a real beginning
toward the abolition of want in this
country
He declared that while 60,000,0 900
workers are building security for
their old age with their own con-
tributions, fairness and equity re-
quire extension of these benefits to
farmers, small businessmen, and
others working for themselves, as
well as inclusion of protection
against the economic hazard of ILL
health.
Charter Is Quoted.
The Atlantic Charters recognition
of the right of all peoples to self
determination and the necessity
for international collaboration for
economic improvement were cited
by Mr.. Roosevelt as prime aims for a
better postwar world.
Asserting the Allies are now
standing on the threshold of major
developments in this war" the
President said, 1--WE are determined
that we shall gain total victory over
our enemies. And we recognize the
fact that our enemies are not only
Germany, Italy and Japan; they
are all the forces of oppression, in
tolerance, insecurity and injustice
which have impeded the forward
march of civilization"
Plan Is Cited.
Senator Wagner called attention
to the comprehensive new plan in
troduced in June by Senator Muir
ray, Democrat, of Montana, him.
self and Representative Dingell,
Democrat, of Michigan.
This legislation should be con-
sidered and adopted promptly if it is
to serve effectively in the fight
against imitation and In our plans
for rehabilitation and postwar re-
adjustment" said the New York
Senator in statement. Sponsors of
the legislation expect to urge full
committee hearings promptly upon
the reconvening OF Congress"
The provisions of the bill to aid
returning members of the armed
services were summed up by Sen
ator Wagner as follows:
Create a national United States
Employment Service, which is di-
rected, among other duties, to ,es-
tablish and develop all necessary
facilities and services for assisting
men and women who have served
in the armed forces to secure and
maintain private employment.
Weekly Payments Asked.
where jobs are not Immediately
available, the bill provides for the
payment of unemployment insur-
ance benefits to those demobilized,
ranging from sl2 to $50 week,
depending upon The number of
their dependents, for possible
maximum of 50 weeks of unem-
ployment.
"Demobilized servicemen are CIV
en- full credits toward their own
and their wives old age insurance
benefit for the entire period of
military service.
"Demobilized servicemen are gwen
full credits toward servivor's insur-
ance protection for the entire pc
riod OF military service, so that their
wives and children will be assured
Of protection in case of their death
before they have worked long
enough again in private industry to
become reinsured through their own
insurance contributions.
"Denobilized servicemen and
women are given credits, for their
period of military service, toward
both permanent disability and
Temporary sickness benefits. in case
they become disabled before they
have worked long enough again in
private industry to become insured
through their own insurance contri-
buttons.
"Denlobilized servicemen, and
their wives and children, are guar
anteed medical and hospital care for
full year after discharge from mil
itary service. during which time they
can become insured, for themselves
and families, through their own in
surance contributions.
The ssrvlcemen's benefits are to
be financed by the Federal Govern
ment opt OF general revenues and
probah0 Win receive strong sup
port,
The broader program of social in
surance for workers in industry and
for millions not covered by the
present law, will be financed by in
creased payroll contributions. For
those in industry the payroll tax
would be raised to per cent from
the employe and per cent from
the employer. Self-employed per-
sons, who would be brought into the
social security program, would pay
per cent of the market value of
their services, up to the first $4,000,
to cover old-age and survivors,. per-
manent disability and medical and
hospital insurance
Aside from the special soldier
benefits, the major changes the plan
makes in existing law are: Establish
uniform Federal system of un-