The union times., 1946-03-02

This act declares a govern ment policy of ''jobs for all. '' 1t pledges the federal govern ment ''tO coordinate and util- ize all its plans, functions, and resources for the purpose of creating and maintaining ;. l. useful employment opportu- mites, including self-employ- ment, for those able, willing, and seeking to work, and to promote maximum employ ment, production and pur- chasing power."
 Second, it requires the President to tell Congress every year how many jobs are needed in order to attain jobs for all"
 Third, it sets up the machinery for economic planning. A council of eco homie advisers is to help the Presi- dent in planning his full employment program. A joint Congressional committee is to study the Presidents program and help coordinate Con- gressional action upon it.
 Although the final act does not contain all the vigorous language of the original bill, it is neverthe- less strong enough to achieve the objectives of the original bill.
 IF it is courageously administ- ered,. and.
 IF it is given the enthusiastic support of all the progressive forces in America. But the road to full employment is neither short nor easy.
 The opponents of full employment, having failed to prevent its passage by the Congress, are now attempting to misconstrue the act and thereby render 1t ineffective. They make a great to-do about the fact that such terms as full employment" assure. and "job budget" have been eliminated from the act. Actually only the words are deleted, not the substance behind them.
 A Definition
 In place of the term full employ ment" the accepted definition of full employment is used: conditions un- der which there will be afforded use full employment opportunities, includ- ing self-employment, for those able, willing, and seeking to work This is full employment-without any ifs" or "buts." In the place of "as- sure," the words "create and maintain" are used. The "job budget" IS now called economic report" other wise remains exactly the same.
 All in all, we have in this act the fundamental concepts and machin- cry upon which to build an effec- tive full employment program. But there are three immediate jobs ahead of us. First of all, three men must be appointed to the council of economic advisers who have demonstrated their wholehearted devotion to the cause of full em- pIoyment. Second, members of Con- gress must be appointed to the joint committee who are sincerely interested in carrying out the prin- ciples of the legislation.
 Third, and above all, the time has come for vigorous and constructive action in attacking monopoly and re- strictionism, in overhauling the tax system, in rendering aid to small bus inessmen, in developing the vast re- sources of our nation, in improving our wage and hour legislation, and in buttressing the general welfare of the people through better social security, better housing, better health and medi- cal facilities, and other measures to attain higher standards of living.
 Need United Efforts
 Now is the time for all forward looking people and groups to join with the sponsors of the full employment act in an all-out effort to make this legislation work and preserve our country from another major depres- sion. Through our united efforts we must provide for all our people the opportunity and security that is their rightful heritage as Americans.
 wy WA M A