The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1949-11-17
By DONALD WOODS

that a quarter of all American
families still are trying to live on
less than $1,000 year, in these
days of high prices, was presented
to the Senate Economic Subcom-
mittee studying the problem OF
low-income families this week by
its professional staff.
The report dramatized the econ
omics back of President Truman's
Fair Deal program and the poten-
tialities for expanded markets for
American business. With decent in
comes these families would pro-
vide a market for all the mass pro-
duction industries could turn out
for years ahead.
These families have just as many
votes as other families-and some
times more. Perhaps that is why
the Republican attempt to ridicule
the Welfare State has fallen so
flat. These folks do not laugh at
the idea of government policies de-
signed to help them obtain decent
living-particularly such things as
social security, minimum wages,
health and education programs.
The Committee report showed
that almost 100000 American
families had incomes of less than
$4,000 last year-a year when most
of the country was enjoying high
tide of prosperity. The committee
staff noted that one of the first
essentials to the achievement Of
the national full employment goal
is thorough appraisal of these
low-income families "to be follow
ed by positive remedial action
! where needed to foster expanded
production consumption by all econ
omic groups"
ITO maintain maximum employ
ment of the Nations material and
human resources" the report add
ed, "the economy must consume
and invest the total quantity of
goods and services produced. De-
mand for consumer goods, backed
up by wartime accumulations Of
liquid funds, has kept investment
and employment at high levels
since the end of hostilities in 1915.
High investment has increased
industrial capacity, which has con-
siderably increased the total flow
of consumer goods. If there are to
be ample employment opportun-
tiles, this flow of consumer goods
must be steadily consumed. Old
markets must be expanded and new
markets developed
! "The untitled wants of American
families now living on inadequate
incomes constitute a great under
developed economic frontier - al
new and expansible market for the
products of American industry. In
an economic system geared to mass
production, there must be mass
consumption if severe economic
dislocations are to be avoided.
been left behind in the economic
progress of America. They do not
have many of the products consid-
cred symbolic of the American
standard of living. For example,
in 1916 there were about two mil
lion nonfarm families living in
houses without running water.
Some low-income families live at
levels below even the most conser-
vative estimate of the minimum
necessary for health and decency.
These families would buy larger
quantity of the goods produced by
the economic capacity of the ma
tion if their needs were backed up
by ability to buy"
The committee study found the
low-income families were divided
into several distinct groups with
each group requiring different
remedial action" 1t summarized
the groups as follows, with the
following suggested remedies:
|. About 3.3 million farm famil-
les, of which IL million had in
comes below $1,000. Suggested
remedy-long-range area develop
ment programs which would pro-
vide opportunities for industrial
employment and markets for spec
ial agricultural products, such as
vegetables and milk.
2. More than fourth of the
urban families, or II million, ex-
listing in Impoverished old age.
Remedy--many of these people
want to work and are able to work
at least part-time. Ways must be
found to provide them jobs.
3. A sizeable group of individu-
ais who for one reason or another
cannot be made producing mem.