The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1945-11-10
Transferring USES
Washington Post)

Both Senate and House are in Il tearing hurry to
return the United States Employment Service to the
various States, in disregard of President Trumans
appeal that action be taken this critical stage
of reconversion Before passing the Inflated unem-
ployment compensation bill last month the Senate
appended amendment providing for the return of
USES to the States within so days Last week the
House approved similar proposal attached as a
rider" to bill cutting Federal expenditure authorize
lions by So billion dollars. Rejecting compromise
that would have deferred the transfer to the END of
the fiscal year the House required the shift to be
effected 80 days after enactment of the bill.
Undoubtedly Congress has been greatly influenced
by pressure from the Governors of various States and
State directors of Unemployment compensation. Al
most TO they have urged an immediate return
Ct the unemployment services to the States Repre-
sentative Ramspeck hit the nail on the head when he
pointed out that "it is perfectly natural that the
Governors and the State officials who operate these
agencies would be glad to get back under their wing
% 900 employees who now in the Federal services
I do not think have to explain to any member of
Congress why they want these services back" Mr.
Ramspeck continued I'VE all understand that. The
Federal Government pays the bill, 95 per cent They
get the employees"
1t would be unjust to the State authorities to infer
that the lure of patronage fully accounts for their
eagerness regain control of the public employment
services But it has probably been compelling factor
together with the natural wish of certain State Of
ficals to strengthen their hold administered
conjunction with the employment services. One really
strong argument for ending Federal control of en-
poyment offices is the reported existence of friction
between Federal officials and administrators OF unem
ployment insurance The USES sets the standards as
to what constitutes suitable employment for job seek
ers while the States make compensation payments to
those insured for whom USES unable to find suitable
jobs 1t is easy to how trouble arises when these
State and Federal officials do not see eye to eye.
The remedy for this unsatisfactory state of affairs
lies, in opinion in liberalization Of the State
systems of unemployment insurance. At present, how
ever opposition has closed the door to this reform,
and the return Of the employment services to the
States appears to be inevitable. However, there is
right and wrong time for all things And the present
assuredly the worst possible time for undertaking
shift the administration Of the unemployment
ices. the emergency that led to the temporary
liberalization of the State employment agencies for
more effective mobilization of warworkers has changed
form, but the emergency itself remains acute Fur
thermoIe, USES will find its task becoming increas-
ingly for good many months to come
millions of veterans seeking jobs are added to the
millions of warworkers in search of jobs.
The scope and the character of the postwar
ployment p+)blem, involving mass movement Of
displaced workers seeking jobs in localities remote
from their former homes, create national problems
The situation clearly requires continued Federal super
vision and control of placement activities until
regarded as normal for peactimes.