davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1944-01-13
Veterans Legislation
And Social Security

Last July I recommended to the
Congress minimum program to
assist servicemen and servicewomen
in meeting some of the problems
they will face when discharged. This
included mustering-out pay for
every member of the armed forces
sufficient to provide for a reasonable
period after discharge. I also urged
an educational and training pro-
gram to enable those demobilized
from the armed forces to further
their education and training and to
prepare for peacetime employment.
I am confident that the Congress
will take early action along these
lines.
The permanent program of social
security initially adopted in 1885
provides a framework within which
many of the problems of demobili-
zation can be met. This framework
of unemployment insurance and re-
tirement benefits must be reinforced
and extended so that we shall be
better equipped for readjustment OF
the labor force and for the demobili-
zation of the armed forces and
civilian war workers.
Pressing economic need has forced
many workers to continue in en-
ployment or seek work even when
disahdnty, old age or care Of young
Evening star., 1944-01-13

possible, A special committee under
the joint chiefs of staff Is scruti-
nizing the military requirements
item by item and cutting out or
cutting back programs no longer
justified in view of strategic develop
ments. The lease-lend requirements
of our Allies are subject to similar
scrutiny by other agencies
In most cases in which contracts
have been Cancelled, the same con-
tractor has received other more
urgent orders; plants, raw ma
terials and labor could not be re-
leased for production for civilian
use In these cases. We have can
celed, for instance, orders for many
escort vessels in order to push con-
struction of landing vessels. In
number of cases, however, labor and
material have been released for
urgent domestic needs of indirect
war importance. We shall release
for civilian production any facilities,
manpower or raw material that are
no longer needed for war production,
but only when we are sure that by
doing so we will not impair the war
effort. I know that none of us
wants any cut in the production of
needed at the battle
fronts simply to permit an in
creased production for civilian COM
forts.
Evening star., 1944-01-13
children would have made retire.
General and Special Accounts

children would have made retire.
ment from the labor force prefer
able. Extension at the present time
of the coverage of the Federal old
age and survivors insurance system
to many groups now denied protec-
ton, and expansion of the scope Of
the system to include disability
benefits, would permit these work.
ers to retire after the war. The old
age and survivors insurance system
should also be amended to give
those in the armed forces credit for
the period Of their military service.
The proposed changes in the So
cial security law would provide the
necessary minimum protection for
nearly all individuals and their FAM
lilies, including veterans of the pres
ent war. They would provide the
necessary protection to the millions
of workers who may be affected by
'reconversion of industry. I prefer
an extension of coverage and lib
eralization of unemployment bene-
fits to any special legislation, such
as that providing for dismissal pay
ments through war contractors. I
also recommend the adoption Of a
program of Federal unemployment
allowances for members of the
armed forces. Furthermore, I sug-
gest Congress consider the estab-
]ishment of unemployment insur-
ance for maritime employees and q
temporary system Of unemployment
allowances for those in Federal
service who, because of their war
time employment, have been unable
to build up rights under the existing
Syctep
Evening star., 1944-01-13
Public Works PIonnino

Our reconversion policy should
have as major aim the stimula-
tion"of private investment and en-
ployment. There will, however, be
an urgent need for certain public
works in the postwar period. AS a
result of the war the normal con-
struction work of Federal, State, and
local governments has been curtailed.
Many new facilities will be needed.
Careful advance planning and evalu-
alton are essential to assure that
priority will be given those projects
that fill the greatest need relative
to their cost, as well as to assure
that their construction will be timed
in accordance with employment re-
quirements.
1t is my hope that adequate ma
chinery for the general planning
and evaluation of public works in
relation to broader economic activi-
ties can be established at all levels
Of Government and that there can
be close coordination both in PLAN
ing and in completing essential
projects. Thus public works activi-
ties of the various communities and
areas would be effectively CO.
ordinated with broad national pro-
grams and interests.
I have directed the various Fed
|eral agencies to submit estimates Of
appropriations for making detailed
plans for Federal public works and
improvements. I have asked the
Bureau of the Budget to assume a
continuing responsibility for CO.
ordinating the advance preparation
of Federal public works and i'm
provement programs to be under
taken when the war is over.
Evening star., 1944-01-13
Total expenditures

AS I have pointed out repeatedly,
there is not much realism in the
customary distinction between war
expenditures and other expendi-
lures, often called "nonwar" ex-
penditures. Practically all Gov
ernment activities under present
conditions are related directly or
indirectly to the war. War expen-
ditures, as identified for budgetary
purposes, include only those made
under appropriations which the
Congress has designated defense"
or war" or obviously enacted for
war purposes.
Another group of expenditures
is emerging as result of the pres
ent war. Already large, this after
math-of-war category will become
a dominent factor in future budgets.
For the fiscal year 1945 it includes,
for example, about three -fourths
of the interest on the public debt;
more than half of the expenditures
for insurance, pensions, and other
benefits for veterans; and a large
amount for refunds of war taxes.
for contract termina-
ton, now included in war pro-
curement, also belong in this group.
Expenditures for veterans pen
sions and benefits and for tax re-
funds are expected to rise sharply
during the fiscal year 1945. Tax
refunds include 1 nm nm mn for ie
suance of postwar bonds for the
refundable portion. of corporate
excess-profits taxes. The issuance
of refund bonds is, of course, not
a cash expenditure.
Excluding expenditures for vet
Grams and refunds, the total for
"other" activities is expected to
continue next year the steady de-
cline which has been maintained
since 1899. The estimate for the
fiscal year 1945 is $2,953, 600, ,000-
Evening star., 1944-01-13
'Armchuir Jobs
Are Defended
By Roosevelt

President Roosevelt today came to
the defense of Government en-
ployes in armchair jobs"
Hitting In his budget message at
"unfounded disparagement" of desk
workers, the President said 1t had
resulted in lowered morale, high
turnover, recruitment difficulties
and hindrance to the war effort.
"Of course, it is true that thou
sands of Government employees
work at desks" he said. I'm Gov
ernment, as elsewhere, the manual
workers are not the only producers.
Mr.. Roosevelt also urged that
Congress consider temporary sys-
tenn of unemployment allowances
for Federal employees, who, because
OF their wartime service, have not
been able to build up credits under
the unemployment insurance pro-
visions of the Social Security Act.
This same principle recently was
advocated by the Civil Service Com
for those whose jobs will
end with the termination of the
war.
Evening star., 1944-01-13
Text Of President Message onnanca Requirements for Victory

most Of the war appropriations will
be made in, the spring, as last year
The tentative estimate for the fiscal
year 1s45 is $50, 900 ,000, 900 OF new
war appropriations and SIC, 600, ,OOO, 600
|of new contract authorizations, /
also intend to recommend that an
estimated $38, 900, ,00O, 900 of unobli-
gated appropriations be reappropri-
ated for the coming fiscal year. The
new appropriations include $4,000
100000 to liquidate prior contract
authorizations. The additions to the
war program therefore will amount
to 81, ,000, ,000, 900 new appropriations
Excluding appropriations for the
liquidation Of prior contract au-
thorizations), $4,000, ,000. 900 new
contract authorizations, and 81 500, :
1000 estimated supplementals for
this year. These additions will bring
the total war program to 1897, 900, :
100000 for the fiscal year 1945.
Enactment of these requests will
permit the Government to incur new
obligations totaling 500, 900 ,OOO, 900 In
the fiscal year 1945. This, to-
gether with the unliquidated obliga-
tions on June 30, 1914, would per-
NIT the expenditure Of $195, ,0OO, ,OOO,- :
600 in the fiscal year 1945 and SUBJ
sequent years, when appropriations
have been made to uquidate con-
tract authorizations. AS stated
earlier, 1t is estimated that 500, ,00O,-
000, 900 will be spent for war purposes
in the fiscal year 1945. Assuming
that it will be necessary to obligate
all appropriations and contract au-
thorizations, we shall finish the fiscal
year 1945 with about $105, ,O00, 900 900
of unliquidated obligations-the same
amount as the unliquidated obliga-
tions existing at the beginning of the
fiscal year.
I hope that this total war pro-
gram will never be fully obligated
and spent. Congressional approval
Of the estimated new appropriations
and contract authorizations will be
necessary, however, to permit our
military leaders and our procure
ment agencies the flexibility they
must have in planning and execut-
ing the Job ahead.
Evening star., 1944-01-13

full schedule Of support prices for
war crops and other critical COM
modities with the objective of en-
couraging 1914 production Of each
crop in the quantity desired with
out increasing the general level of
farm prices.
This schedule should be an
nounced well in advance of planting
time. The carrying out Of these
support prices, however, will depend
upon congressional action on the
Commodity Credit Corp. bill. The
schedule Nof support prices must be
supplemented by appropriate meas
ures such as loans, purchase and sale
programs, ceilings, and related pro-
duction aids.
A stable farm price level Is basic II
we are to prevent imitation. I have
often declared my belief that the
judicious use of subsidies is neces-
sary if consumer prices are to be
kept from rising. I repeat it again.
Only If we succeed in preventing an
appreciable rise in the general level
of both farm prices and wages, how
ever, can we continue to hold the
cost of living stable with moderate
use of subsidies. The cost-of- living
index was 124.l in November, 1943-
the same as in April.
In order that the Federal Gov
ernment may fulfill its responsibility
in the 1914 farm and food program,
I am recommending appropriations
Of $659, ,00O, 900 for the Department Of
Agriculture including the War Food
Administration. This Is approx
mately $314,000,0 900 less than the
current appropriations for these
agencies. The recommendation in
cludes provision for conservation
and use of agricultural land re-
sources, the Soil Conservation Serv-
ice, the Farm Security Administra-
ton, the expectation and domestic
consumption of agricultural COM
modities, the administration of the
Sugar Act. and research and other
ong-established functions of the
Department of Agriculture. 1t does
not include provision for potential
losses of the Commodity Credit
Corp. The overall decrease Of
$3l4,000. 900 results largely from the
omission Of a recommendation for
parity payments and a reduction in
the recommended appropriation for
conservation and use Of agricultural
land reS0lIrceS
Evening star., 1944-01-13

continue on all fronts throughout
the fiscal year 1945 or longer we
shall be prepared. If an unfavor-
able turn in military events should
result in an increased demand for
munitions we shall, with available
facilities, pour out even more NUM-
tions than scheduled and expendi-
lures will be larger.
If, on the other hand, victory
should be achieved on one of the
major fronts earlier than assumed,
I assure the Congress and the Ma
ton that war production will be
promptly adjusted to the changed
requirements, and war expenditures
in the fiscal year 1945 may be less
than estimated at the present time.
Because of termination payments,
mustering-out pay and similar de-
mobilization expenditures, however,
the reduction in cash expenditures
will of necessity lag considerably
behind any curtailment of war pro-
duction.
The total war program as meas
ured by appropriations, contract
authorizations and Government cor
poration commitments from June,
1910, through December, 1943, totals
$344, 900 100000. OF this amount,
1884 .000, ,000, 900 have been obligated
already, and it is estimated that
1907 ,000, 900 900 will have been obli-
gated by the end of the current
fiscal year. Unobligated balances
total $50, 1000 ,000, 900 now and will be
reduced to about $38, 600 600 900 by
June 80, 1914, assuming that addi-
tional supplemental appropriations
of $500, 100000 will be provided
before the end of the current fiscal
year
Through December, 1943, we have
spent $153, ,00o, 900 900 for war and 1t
is estimated that $2O2 900 600, 600 will
have been spent by the end of the
current fiscal year, leaving $685.
000, ,000, 900 in outstanding obligations
to be liquidated in later fiscal years.
1t will be necessary to request ad-
ditional appropriations for ohliga-
tions to be incurred in the fiscal year
1945. Detailed recommendations for
Evening star., 1944-01-13
Relief and Rehabilitation
In Liberated Areas

AS we close in on the enemy we
are confronted with the necessity
of initiating the restoration Of
civilian life and productivity in the
liberated areas. Both relief and the
commencement of the process of
rehabilitation will be necessary re-
quirements Of military occupation.
In liberated areas relief must OF
necessity be a military problem at
the outset. This job will be turned
over to civilian administration as
soon as feasible. For this reason
the United Nations Relief and Re-
habilitation Administration recently
has been created. Appropriate COM
mittees of Congress are now con-
sidering enabling legislation that
will permit the United States to
make its proportionate contribution.
Evening star., 1944-01-13

ployes Of the executive branch in
continental United States was g.
798, 900 In october, 1913; there were
154 500 additional in Alaska, the
Panama Canal Zone and overseas.
Nearly three-fourths were in the
War and Navy Departments and
other war agencies.
The total number employed in the
continental United States in Oc-
tober was 205 900 below the peak of
June, 1913. The bulk Of the re-
duction was in the war agencies:
they reduced personnel by 10000
from June to October, while the So
called "nonwar" agencies reduced
personnel by $4,000. The earlier rise
was in the war agencies. Other
agencies as a group have been re-
ducing personnel steadily for Ia
months or more, although during
all that time they have been de-
voting more and more Of their ef-
forts directly to war activities.
There has been, during the past
year, too much unfounded disparase.
Evening star., 1944-01-13
Citizens
Share Of Budget
Put at $726.O7
BY the Associated Press.


Your share Of this country's 1945
war-and-peace budget is just . frac-
ton Of cent under $726N-which
Is $57733 more than Uncle Sam
figured you had in cash In your
pocket on New Year eve.
Buff the war continues to make
necessary the spending Of all that
sos, ,769, ,236 300. President Roosevelt
outlined today, 1t will send the ma
tional debt to $25s, 900 ,000, 900 by
June 80, 1945. Your share OF that
will be $1,877.59.
These per capita figures are based
on a population Of 7,410,000 used
by the Treasury this week In COM
putting the $148.74 a person estimate
on money in circulation.
Evening star., 1944-01-13
The Revenue
And Borrowing Program
Summary of Federal Finances


Net receipts under present legis-
lation are estimated at a little more
than $41 900 900 900 for the current
fiscal year and at somewhat less
than $41 600, ,000, 900 for the fiscal
year 1945. Receipts in these years
will be about $4,000, 900 900 above
those OF the fiscal year 1943. This
rise reflects increased tax rates in
the Revenue Act Of 1912, the cur
rent Tax Payment Act of 1943, and
the higher level of incomes and
profits. Net receipts from all sources
in the fiscal year 1945 are expected
to be somewhat lower than in the
current fiscal year, despite the fact
that some items, notably corpora
ton taxes, will increase further.
Substantial collections in the pres
ent fiscal year, mainly in connection
with transition to a current basis
for individual income taxes, will not
recur in 1945 and later years. Es-
Inmates Of receipts in this budget
are subject to modification If the
pending revenue bill is enacted.
Total expenditures for the fiscal
year 1945 are estimated to exceed
net receipts by $59, 900 900, 900. With
out further legislation the deficit
will amount to SO per cent of total
expenditures, approximately the ?
same as the comparable ratio for the
current fiscal year. ,
Evening star., 1944-01-13
Contract Termination,
Disposal Of Surplus Property
And Industrial Reconversion

The problems pertaining to the
termination of contracts, the dis
posal of war surpluses, and the re-
conversion OF industry, already be-
fore us, will take on increased sig
nificance during the war and after.
Contract termination will become
a problem of large magnitude. A
considerable number of contracts
has already been terminated. Should
victory be achieved on one front,
the volume Of contract termination
and related settlement problems will
increase markedly even during the
war. Raw materials, goods in proc
ess and overhead costs incurred on
the assumption that contracts will
be completed, all involve settlement
problems when contracts are termi-
mated. The timing of future con-
tract examinations is, of course, un-
certain; but it is evident that the
volume of such examinations and
the amount of related claims and
payments will be very large.
1t will be necessary to dispose Of
a vast amount Of Government prop
erty. Our war program has re-
quired the expenditures of approx
mately ,000,000,000 by the Gov
ernment for new industrial plant
and equipment and over $13,000,-
100000 for nonindustrial construc-
ton and land In addition, the
Government owns scores of billions
OF dollars OF raw materials, merchant
ships, aircraft, munitions and a
wide variety of other commodities.
The value of Government property
that will become surplus during and
after the war is as uncertain as the
vicissitudes of war. There can be
not doubt, however, that a very large
amount of public funds will be in
volved
The policies followed in contract
termination and the disposal of sur
plus property will have a major
impact on the speed and effective
ness of the reconversion of industry
ann Of the unemployment of those
released from war service and war
production. Such policies will also
have major bearing on the sta
bility and pattern Of the Nations s
economy for many years to come.
It is, therefore, imperative to de-
velop unified program to deal with
the interrelated problems of con-
tract termination, surplus property
disposal and industrial reconversion.
to facilitate the development Of CO.
ordinated policies pertaining to these
fields, a war and postwar adjust
ment unit has been established in
the Office of War Mobilization. A
joint contract termination board,
including representatives of the
several contracting agencies, has
also been established in that Office
to develop recommendations for a
unified program relating to the
settlement of terminated war con-
tracts. Recommendations pertain
ing to contract termination and dis
position of surplus war properties
are now In preparation.
The disposition Of war surpluses
should be closely co-ordiuated with
Evening star., 1944-01-13
The Farm and Food Program

Farm output in 1943 has been the
largest in our Nations history. This
bountiful production has enabled
us to maintain the best-fed Army
in the world, to send much needed
food to our allies, and to eat better
ourselves than civilians in any other
country. Although some OF us at
home did not have all the particular
foods we wanted, more of us were
nutritionally well fed than ever be-
fore. Our farmers have accom-
plished this through hard work and
intelligent use of their resources.
The year 1914 will be more critical
on the food front in view of in
creaSing food requirements for our
armed forces, our allies, and the
starving populations in territories
formerly occupied by the enemy.
To meet these needs, farm produc-
ton must be larger than in 1943.
Barring unfavorable weather con-
ditions, believe this objective can
and will be achieved through even
better use of our farm labor, land,
machinery, and other resources.
Farmers, spurred on by their de-
sire to make the utmost contribu-
ton to the war effort, will do their
level best to get the job done. It is
the Governments responsibility to
facilitate their efforts. The major
emphasis of our 1914 program will
be to develop and encourage bal
|anced production, efficient farming
practices, and the full use Of all
our agricultural resources.
Much Of the Governments as
sistance to agriculture in the past
10 years has been intended to re-
establish farmers purchasing power.
This has been achieved-and more
Farm prices in 1943 were lis per
cent of parity, and farm income in
l943 is estimated at $50 per cent
of parity. On the price side, the
problem of the Government is no
longer to increase farm prices gen.
orally, but rather to adjust rela-
tionships among prices of the vari-
GUS farm products in harmony with
relative production needs.
To this end the War Food Admin
istrator, in cooperation with the
Price Administrator and with the
approval Of the Director OF Eco
nomic Sterilization, has prepared q
Evening star., 1944-01-13
Wartime Reodjustments
And Preparation for Peace

Demobilization begins long before
hostilities end. While we are still
expanding war production, we have
already terminated more than $12,-
000, 900 900 of war contracts; while
we are still increasing the size of
the armed forces, we have already
discharged a million men and women.
If hostilities end on one major front
before they end on other fronts,
large-scale demobilization adjust
ments will be possible and necessary
while we are still fighting major
war.
The problems Of adjustment cover
wide range-contract termination,
reconversion Of war plant, disposal
of Government-owned propegty,
shifting Of men to peacetime en-
ployment, and many others. Our
approach to these problems must
be positive, not negative. Our OBJ
jective must be a permanently high
level of national income and a cor
respondingly high standard Of living.
To achieve this end there must be
concerted efforts by industry, labor
and Government and well-planned
rehabilitation program. AS men,
materials and facilities are released
from war service and production.
such resources must be channeled
into civilian production on a basis
that will assure high and stable
level of production, consumption
and employment. The soldier, the
worker, the businessman and the
farmer must have assurance against
economic chaos.
just as economic mobilization for
total war required many inter-
related measures, so adequate re-
conversion to civilian production
will require many interrelated ad-
justments OF fiscal policy, produc-
tion policy, price policy and labor
policy. At this time I shall discuss,
but briefly, certain aspects Of a
rehabilitation program.