The union times., 1945-06-09
Labor Only Group Not Provided For

Swift action to give real protection to temporarily un- employed war workers was urged upon Congress by Pres. Harry s. Truman in a special message that also called for an emergency program lifting unemployment compensation payments to $25 a week for 20 weeks for persons with dependents.
 The chief executives message to Congress pointed out that it had provided for the disposal of surplus war property, plant clear ance, financial aid to business, cash benefits and other aids to veterans and a program to pro- tect farmers.
 "CLOSE THE GAP"
 sThere remains, however. a ma- jOr gap in, our recOnversion pro- gram: the lack of adequate benefits for workers temporarily unemploy- ed during the transition from war to peace. I urge the Congress to close this gap.
 "I am confident that, with appro- pr1ate measures, we can avoid large scale and lengthy unemployment dur ing the transition period. However, some temporary unemployment is un- avoidable, particularly when total rehabilitation becomes possible. Even if reconversion proceeds rapidly, no amount of planning can make jobs immediately for all displaced person. nel. We must provide maximum se curity for those who have given so fully of themselves on the fighting and production fronts. The transition from war to peace Is part and parcel of the war and we cannot shirk our obligation to those temporarily unem- ployed through no fault of their own.
 ''To produce what is needed for the Pacific war we must appeal to the workers to accept and remain in jobs which they ultimately must lose when munitions production ceases. The government has thus incurred a moral obligation to those workers and to those who have stuck faithfully to their" posts in the past" the message said.
 The message recounted the fact that some 13 million persons are not covered by unemployment insurance because of defects in state laws. These include federal employees in ar senals, offices and navy yards, small business and maritime workers.
 Getting to the point quickly, the President said ''the weekly benefit payments provided under many of the state laws are inadequate to maintain purchasing power and to provide a reasonable measure of economic security for the workers. Most states fix maximum rate of SIS to SIS a week. This is clearly inadequate to protect unemployed workers against ruthless cuts in liv- ing standards, particularly if they have families.
 "The length of time for which benefits are paid is too short. In near ly one third of the states no worker can receive more than 16 weeks of benefits in any year, and many work CTS do not even qualify for this length of time.
 Therefore, I recommend speci- fically that Congress take emer- gency action to widen the coverage of unemployment compensation and to increase the amount and du- ration of benefts-at least for the duration of the present emergency period of recOnversiOn. Basically, this can be accomplished only by amending the social security act SO as to induce state laws to pro- vide more adequately for anyone who is unemployed.
 Because of the desire for fast ac ton, the President asked for federal financing of the benefits with admin istration by the states. He said the maximum payment should be mot less than $25 week. for workers with dependents ard that the benefits should run % weeks.
 Pres. Truman pointed to the pending bills improving the social security system and said although such improvement is fundamental, Congressional deliberation on the broad issues will take time." But, he said, ''On the specific issues of unemployment benefits, we may not have time available," and he again urged immediate cOnsid- eratiOn."