Montana labor news., 1944-12-14
SOCIAL SECURITY
FIGHT TO OPEN
WITH new CONGRESS

W kA AN6Ff OO&NOAA
WASHINGTON-FP)- Regardless Of
how effectively the present lame-duck
Congress snarled up plans to extend So
cial security, it was clear December 5
that the fight for a real program viii
swing into action when the new Con-
gress takes over in January.
If there was any doubt that the people
have a real set of champions favoring
realistic extension of the present law
and new and wider coverage to include
payment to the sick and disabled, Sena-
tor Robert F. Wagner DIN. " dispelled
it in his radio speech over the CHS.
Like the AFL and CIO, Wagner knows
how such a program can be made pos
sible He said so in a couple of choice
sentences that all union members should
remember throughout the new year:
"The success of the bill depends in
large part on the American people them
selves. All of you who want a real social
security program should let your repre-
.sentatives know your views. Urge them
to prepare for a comprehensive program
by standing fast against the social Sc
curity freeze which threatens to under
mine our present system"
Wagner, who took on a tough combi-
nation of enemies in the November elec-
ton to lead the ticket in New York
state, pledged the nation in his speech
that he would continue to fight for a
broadened social security program as
visioned in the famous Wagner Murray
Dingell bill.
Answering the arguments of the insur-
ance lobby and others who would freeze
the present federal old age and sur
vivors insurance at present levels, he ex-
planned;
To-day, covered workers and their
employers are each paying their insur-
.ance premiums Of per cent Of wages
a total Of per cent. The benefits are
worth far more. The premiums today
are low because at the time the social
security act was passed this country
was just emerging from a depression.
Those who urge freezing of existing
rates point to the fact that more money
is being paid to the social insurance fund
than is being paid out. OF course it is
But most workers in this country are
still UNDER retirement age. They are
building up their rights now for future
benefits. The cost Of any insurance
system must be measured not merely
by its present disbursements, but also by
its obligations for the future"
Wagner denied the current charge
that the people are taxed twice to gain
the benefits-once in their pay roll de-
ductions and again to pay for the federal
bonds in which the amounts paid in
from deductions are invested. He said
the charge was made for the purpose
of confusing people. But the lie con-
tinues to be spread. think know why.
Only by falsehood and Misrepresentation
can the enemies of social security hope
to stop the forward progress of a great
idea"
Considering the Wagner-Murary-D Din
gell bill, extending the coyerage Of the
present system and adding protection
against sickness and disability and the
costs Of medical care Wagner said it
was comprehensive unified social in
surance system which the people of this
country want and must have if we are
to move forward
Il know the people want a real social
security system. / promise them that
when the new Congress convenes 1 shall
continue the fight for a comprehensive
social insurance system including provi-
sions for more adequate insurance bene-
fits to the aged and the unemployed
and to the widow and children Of per-
sons who die.
Il shall urge that We also provide in
slrance benefits for the employe who
becomes sick and disabled. shall con-
tinue to urge the establishment of health
insurance with guarantee Of freedom
of choice of doctor and patient. / shall
do everything in my power to see that
the bill is reported out Of committee"
That leaves it up to the average work
er to do the rest.