Evening star., 1947-01-12
Old-Age Laws
Believed Safe
No Security Program
Amendments Likely
This Term
Bv Clarke Beach

Although the birth OF the socla
security program was widely de-
plored by Republicans, that brain
child of the New Deal faces the
present COP Congress without fear
Its sponsors and administrators see
no likelihood of repeal or emascu-
Iating amendments; and they pre-
dict that this year or next the
Republicans will do some very
generous legislative things for the
erstwhile ugly duckling.
The Nation has gone a long way
In its thinking since 1885, when
President Roosevelt signed the So
cial Security Act. Then its detrac-
tors loudly deplored it as regimenta-
ton and predicted that in time
Americans would be required to have
social security numbers tattooed on
their chests.
January /, 1887, the first old age
and survivors insurance taxes were
collected. In the 10 years since
then, 100000 employees have &C.
ouired permanent insured status
Death benefits are guaranteed te
their survivors and old age insur-
ance to themselves. Seventy-foul
thousand persons have earned some
social security credit.
In addition, the social welfare
setup of each State has been to some
extent adjusted to the requirements
of the social security agency. Fed
eral funds are paid to States fol
half the costs of their programs
These include unemployment in
surance, old age assistance, aid tc
the needy blind, aid to dependent
children and various child welfare
services.
Two Strong Supporters.
In both the major parties in re-
cent wears there has been wide
spread sentiment in favor of ex'
tending social security coverage ane
increasing its benefits. Two OF the
best friends of social security among
the Republicans happen to be two oi
the most powerful men on Capito
Hill today: Senator Taft OF Ohio
and Senator Vandenberg of Mich,
igan. ...
None of the major proposed
amendments Is considered 81
urgent as legislation on labor, taxes
appropriations and clarification oi
portal-to-portal pay.
Senator Taft's health bill, giving
about 100000 a year out o.
Treasury funds to the States fol
medical care of indigents, may be.
come the most controversial piece
of social legislation.
Many Democrats previously have
rallied around the Murray-Wagner
Dingell health insurance bill. Thi
would impose compulsory insurance
benehting not only indigents bu
also all other persons who were in
sured. Representative Dingell, Dem
ocrat, of Michigan says the bill
probably will be reintroduced thi
session, but there seems little chanc'
that the Republicans will permit i
to get to the floor.
Here are some other social securit,
measures which have been strongl
advocated and may be considered:
i. Extending old-age insurance +
cover total disability at any age
2. Increasing the amount paid +
uninsured needy aged.
3. Increasing the amount. paid t.
beneficiaries of old-age insurance
They are still getting the sum set il
1899 although living costs have risel
more than so percent.
4. Extending unemployment insur
ance compensation payments to 2
weeks.
( S. Equalizing the share of Fedora
payments to all States, so tina
poor" States win receive proper
tionately more than the rich"
distributed By the Associated Press,