Evening star., 1945-09-04
JobIess Paw
Continued From First Paee.)

working in one of the States mos
tavorably inclined ="
Mr.. Snow suggested, however, that
the Government take steps to OBJ
tain reimbursement from the State
unemployment reserve funds for the
money it advances during reconver-
sion.
Connecticut pays $22 a week to
the unemployed workers, plus 81
each for three dependents, or $28,
for 16 weeks. Some of the States
have a maximum of SIS for IA weeks.
Under the Kilgore bill the Govern
ment would pay the difference, up
to the $25-for-26-weeks maximum.
All Would Not Ges Maximum.
Several committee members en-
phasized today every unemployed
person will not get the S25 maxi
mum. but would get an increase,
depending on the ratio of benefits
to wage level in his State law. The
pending bill, however, permits bene-
fits up to two-thirds of the workers
former wages, or $25 on a $3.50
wage base, and If a State agrees to
60 up to this ratio, the Govern
ment would pay the added cost,
experts have advised the committee
DR.. Schmidt doubted the necessity
for another feature of the bill, un-
der which the Government would
transport former war workers, their
families and household effects from
industrial centers to places where
jobs are in sight. He said the cham
Der has taken no position on that
question. but probably would not
oppose itif granted on the basis
Senator TAFT, Republican, of Ohio
said he thought such provision
with proper safeguards, should be
adopted.
DR.. Schmidt said the chamber
favors the social security program,
but believes unemployment compen-
sation should be handled by the
States He compared the heavy
debt confronting the Government
with the $1,000, 100000 surplus the
States have in their unemployment
compensation reserves. The present
unemployment benefit, he said, is
$40 or more week in 28 States,
which covers more than n per cent
OF the affected workers.
Revamped Bill Due Soon.
Suppose the duration of unem-
ployment is longer than the period
for which the States now make
weekly payment, what would you
do?" asked Senator Lucas.
In that event, DR.. Schmidt said,
the States should reconsider and
amend the duration feature of their
laws.
Indications are that, before the
end OF the week, the Senate COM
mittee will report out a revamped
bill, retaining coverage for Federal
employees, the merchant marine and
agricultural -cannery plants, but
with substitute for the Federal in
crease in State benefit payments to
private industrial workers.
The most likely alternative is the
proposal of Senator Vandenberg,
Republican, of Michigan that the
Government be prepared to take
over the weekly benefit payments if
workers are still idle after the period
OF State benefits expires, but with
out changing the weekly rates fixed
In each State.
Comments of Senate committee
members continue to indicate, how
ever, that the Kilgore plan, backed
by President Truman, has little
chance of being approved. The
House Ways and Means Commit
tee, which also resumed hearings on
the subject today, likewise is re-
ported to be against raising the
weekly rates to s25 maximum.
States Renew Fight.
Meanwhile, the States made a
new move yesterday to get back the
State employment services. which
they loaned to the Federal Gov
eminent after Pearl Harbor to CEN
tralize the recruiting of war work.
erS.
Cows. Edward Martin of Pennsyl-
vania and Herbert B. Nav of. Utah
have laid before President Truman
a recommendation that the Offices be
turned back to the States with the
present personnel, and that the
States agree to maintain the Fed
eral pay scale for these employees
for a year. When the Government
took over the Offices in January,
1912, it applied Federal pay scales,
which were higher in some instances
than the States had been paying.
Several weeks ago the President
informed the Governors Conference
he would order the return of the
employment Offices if convinced the
step would not cause confusion dur
ing the reconversion period. Doubt
was expressed today in informed
quarters that the President would
adopt the Martin-Maw proposal i'm
mediately.
Lucas Favors u. S. Supervision.
Senator Lucas, Democrat, of Illi-
nois, a strong administration sup
porter, said testimony on the unem-
ployment compensation bill has con-
vinced him the employment offices
should continue under Federal su-
pervision.
Harvey w. Brown, head of the
International Association of Ma
chinists, predicted yesterday there
may be 10000, 900 workers idle foi
as long as Is months before recon-