The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-06
President LUrsesU Unity
CcOntinued from Page D

of a transitional revenue bill de- signed to speed reconversion and expansion of the peace-time econ- omy. He proposed careful modern ixation of the entire federal tax structure to encourage business and aid consumer purchasing power. The latter was a hint of some in- dividual tax relief in the future.
 The president recommended substantial" immediate increase in the Fair Labor Standards Act mirli- mum wage from its present 40- cents-an-hour level and that work CTS processing agricultural products be made eligible. He said the 40- cent scale had become ''obsolete".i
 For congressman he urged a whopping salary increase from Sl0,- 900 to $20,000 @ year, and suggested 3 retirement plan for long congress sional service. He recommended, however, repeal of the S2,500 ex. pense account which the house voted itself this year.
 Wage Levels
 These recommendation were acc companied by a plea that congress soon provide decent wage scales" not only for its own members, but for persons in the executive and judicial branches of government.
 This was friendly message open- ing with honey word of regret that congressional vacations had been interrupted. Repeatedly the president acknowledged congress freedom of judgment and equal re- sponsibility in many of the decisions to be reached. But 1t was a broad and insistent statement of Truman administration policy in which the newcomer to the White House did not back up from any earlier com mitmentS.
 He bluntly demanded an emer- gcncy reconversion period expansion of unemployment insurance protec- ton which he said now was on too low a standard covering too few persons for too short time. Spe- officially he asked that coverage be extended to federal employees, mar ltime workers and others not now Insured" on a maximum basis up to $25 for 26 week period in any one year.
 If that request is granted, he said, congress will want to increase un- employment allowances already provided for veterans. That scale now is $40 for Q maximum of 52 weeks, depending on length of serv- Ice. Additional non-veteran con- pensation would be financed by the government but administered by the state.
 Social Security
 The foregoing is @ temporary, emergency proposal. MT. Truman emphasized that 1t was not to be confused with "the broader question of extending, expanding and in- proving our entire social security program of which unemployment insurance is only @ part"
 He promised Q later message with particular recommendation for legislation to meet the broader question. Still other messages will propose improvement of the nation al education program and recom- mend "a national health program" providing "ali Americans" with ade. quate medical care. The health mes- sage also will propose measures to protect them from financial loss and hardships resulting from illness and accident"
 Renewing his urgent request for Q full employment" bill, MT. Tru. man said he wanted early action on "a declaration of the ultimate duty of the government to use its own resources if all other methods should fail to prevent prolonged employment"
 But he leaned heavily on private enterprise and investment to keep the pump primed, especially on 8 housing program Of realistic size" toward which he will seek compre- ilensive legislation.
 "The largest single opportunity for the rapid postwar expansion of private investment and employ rnent," MT. Truman said, Ties in the field of housing, both urban and rural. The present shortage of decent homes and the enforced widespread use of SubStandard housing indicate vital thrilled needs of the nation"
 9Ium Clearance
 A vast backlog of orders" for all kinds of goods, and joint fed- Teral and private financing Of a multi billion dollar housing . slum clearance program, were basic in MT. Truman's confidence that we need not fear the future. He pro. posed that federal and local gov- ernments join their funds in renak- ing the blighted slum areas. but that the maximum use" be made of private capital.
 lie said that the fundamental