Evening star., 1946-01-04

am sure that it was the hope of
all progressive Americans, that be-
fore the recess of the Congress for
the Christmas holidays the con-
ferees would have reported sat
isfactory full employment bill for
adoption by both houses. No such
bill has been reported. 1t Is most
important that the conferees report
a satisfactory bill Immediately upon
the reconvening Of Congress.
One OF the measures which have
been urging upon the Congress ever
since May of last year is that the
Federal Government make pro-
vision to supplement the unemploy-
ment insurance benefits now pro-
vided by the different States.
Urges Public to Demand Action.
While unemployment has not
reached anything like the level
which was feared, there still is need
to provide at least some measure
of subsistence to those men and
women who do lose their jobs by
the end of war production.
The Senate has passed an accept
able measure along these lines. But
in the House of Representatives the
bill Is now locked up in the Ways
and Means Committee. 1t will re-
main locked up In that committee
unless the people Of the United
States insist that 1t be reported out
and passed.
On several occasions I have also
asked that the Congress outlaw by
permanent statute un-American dis
elimination in employment. A small
handful of Congressman in the Rules
Committee of the House have pre-
vented this legislation from reach
ing a vote by the Congress. Leg
islation making permanent the Fair
Employment Practices Committee
would carry out fundamental
American ideal. I am sure that the
overwhelming mass of our citizens
favor this legislation and want their
Congressman to vote for it.
Favors Increased Minimum.
I have also asked that the Con-
gress raise substantially the amount
of minimum wages now provided by
law. There are still millions oi
workers whose incomes do not pro-
vide decent standard of living
We cannot have a healthy nationa
economy so long as any large Sec
ton of our working people receive
wages which are below decent
standards. Although hearings have
been held on this question in the
Congress, no action has been taken
The bills are now resting in the
Education and Labor Committee oi
the Senate and in the Labor Com.
mittee of the House. =
And SO it goes with measure aftel
measure now in the Congress. Time
is running out. There are othel
problems: Comprehensive scientific
research, universal training, health
and medical care program, an ade'
quate salary scale for Federal en-
| ployes, the presidential succession
river valley development and others
I intend no blanket criticism ol
the Congress. Devoted and far.
seeing men in both the Senate ane
the House have labored to make
effective program adequate to oul
needs. But If they are to succeed
they must be reinforced by YOU
the people they represent.
Blames Various Committees.
And let me make it very cleal
that when I speak of bills not get.
ting any action, it is not the Con.
gress as a whole which Is respon-
sible. All these measures-anc
many others-have been referred te
various committees of the Congress
That is the regular procedure
There they await action. Gener.
ally speaking, unless the commit
tees act to report the bills. the mem.
bers of the Congress as a whole
never get a chance to vote for OF
against them.
1t is the committees which hold
up action on bills. Indeed, it is
usually not even the whole com
mittee. On many of these subjects
] personally know that there are
individual members of the respec-
tive committees who are trying &C
induce their colleagues to report
bills. But often a bare majority
OF committees handful of me,l
can prevent a vote by the whole
Congress on these measures oi
majority policy.
What I am asking is that these
various committees at least give
the representatives of the people a
chance to vote yes" or mo" on
these vital issues-and that they
give them that chance soon.
When I speak of nv recommends
tions and proposals, I also want tc
make it very clear that I have nc
pride of authorship in them at all
There are, however, such things
as must" objectives. 1t is my re-
sponsibility to outline those objec-