Montana labor news., 1944-12-28
THE BRIGHT NEW
YEAR AND
60 MILLION JOBS

WASHINGTON -- (FP) -- Staggering
down the last mile, old 1914 is about to
hand the flag over to a bright and shin
ing youngster, 1945.
Although every new year is pregnant
with hope, this time more than any in
recent history. American workers have
reason to expect a better deal from the
replacement.
First Of all, in The legislative field, 1915
will see a new Congress with a fresh
mandate from the people axe charge in
Washington. Unlike lis predecessor, 1915
enters the fray with an injunction Of
liberal thought and certain pledges that
spell out the hope Of victory ana a last
ing peace.
The old Congress refused to come 10
grips with the real problems Of Tie
country. It lacked forceful leadership
and voided liberal thought like plague
When, on Jan. the 18th Congress
takes up the reins, it will have before it
the report of Sen. James e. Muray's
war contracts subcommittee and a bill
designed to guarantee fun employment
for every citizen able and willing to
work.
In Senator Murrays report, transmit
ting the bill to the Congress, he said
the full employment bill offers 'legis-
laion to guarantee 60 million postwar
joba-or whatever number of Jobs viii
provide full employment" This, he said,
will be the major homefront task of
the new Congress-
Briefly the bill requires the President
to submit to Congress on the first day
of every session, national production
and employment budget. This will in
clude the number Of jobs needed for full
employment. the amount of investment
and expenditure necessary to provide that
number of jobs, and the estimate of the
amount of investment and expenditure
likely to be required in the coming
period
Such a budget, of course, can only be
balanced by attaining full employment
In order to reach it, the bill recognizes
that ample opportunity must be offered
to private capital and private industry
to exercise their initiative to the utmost.
Then, if these means fail to meet the
full requirements, the bill calls for in
creased federal government investment
and expenditure to make up the diff
ference.
This full employment bill is not any
thing more than a skeleton frame and
a sort of guide through which the pro-
gram can be developed 1t does not claim
TO be an easy or automatic solution to
5he economic ills Of the nation.
A joint congressional budget commit |
tee would study the proposals Of the
President and submit a resolution setting |
,ut a joint budgetary policy This in turn
would serve as a guide to the various
committees of the Congress on appro-
)riations and revenue.
For perhaps the first time in history,
4 congressional bill proposes to do some
hing in advance Of the need-to avoid
waiting until millions are jobless before
to cure unemployment. That
S the real promise ahead in the full
bill That is why it has
abor's support.
Another major factor is that the bill
and underscores the govern
nent's responsibility to provide full and
opportunity for the highest
possible level of employment in private
BUSINESS enterprise.
In connection with this bill, the Muir
ay report also reminds the new Con-
ress of number of major tasks that
must be taken up Immediately.
/. Improvement and liberalization of
legislation.
2. Granting of travel allowances to
elp migrant war workers return to their
Iomes or to new jobs.
3. Provision for loans or advances by
he Federal Works Agency to local COM
lunities needing assistance in develop
ng postwar public works programs.
4. Reconversion loans for small busi-
ess.
S. Strengthening of the antitrust
ivision of the Department Of Justice in
rider 70 check undue and unhealthy
of power in big business.
That is a wholesome bite for the 10th
congress TO chew on, but with the {
nited effort of all American workers, it
an and will go to work on it.