Evening star., 1950-05-12
p Wirephoto,

truman OPeeCn
from the lunatic fringe among the
reactionaries-that the Govern
ment promises to make it possible
for people to live without working.
They say our Government pro-
grams would make us Nation OF
deadbeats and loafers. That, OF
course, is absurd.
I think it is the responsibility OF
Government to help those who
because Of old age or other dis
ability, are unable to work, and
those who, through no fault OF
their own, are unable to find work
I believe that the strong should
help the weak, and I make NO
apologies for that belief.
But for men who are able to
work. I want jobs-not idleness
That's what they want. too. -.
Our main reliance for seeing
that the workingman gets a fair
share of the benefits of our econ
omy, is upon collective bargaining
between employees and their en-
ployerS. -.
Before the passage Of the Wag-
Fner Act in 1885, the status of col
lective bargaining in the United
States was at a low ebb. Under
the Wagner Act, great progress
was made in the field of industrial
relations. ..
Attacks Taft-Hartley Act.
Then came 1947 and Taft-Hart-
ley. The Taft-Hartley Act emas-
culated the Wagner Act and SUBJ
verted its purpose. The avowed
intention of its sponsors was to
strengthen the hand of manage
ment. To do this, they devised a
clever law which insidiously un-
dermines the strength of labor
unions.
The Taft-Hartley law hangs
over the head of labor, threatening
to destroy the gains of Is years,
There it will hang until we are
able to replace it with a law that
is fair to management and labor
alike.
That is something we must do
not only for the sake of labor
but for the sake of the whole
country. I believe profoundly
that the Taft-Hartley law is 9
substantial infringement of the
basic freedom to bargain collec-
lively.
I will not cease to fight for its
repeal.
In other fields, we have made
considerable progress since I last
visited with you here in Butte.
Last year, we increased the
minimum wage under Federal law
from 40 cents to rs cents an
hour.
Social Security Cited,
In the social security field. the
Congress has been considering a
Dill to strengthen our system OF
old age and survivors, insurance
You will recall that have pointed
out many times how pitifully
small these social security benefits
now are, and how a great many
people are left out altogether
am confident that the Congress
Will complete action at this ses-
sion on legislation which will do
much to remedy both of these
shortcomings.
Inere is one governmental pro-
gram with which some of YOU
probably have had some first
hand experience lately-that is
employment compensation. I am
sorry II you had to fall back on
1t, but I am mighty glad that it
was there for you to rely on.
However, this system-like the
old-age insurance system-also
needs modernization and strength
ening e. benefit rates should
be brought up to date, in line with
today's prices. The duration of
benefits should be extended. Ad-
ditional workers should be given
the benefits of the laws protec-
I expect that you people are also
interested in housing. -.
have some things both good
and bad to report about housing
mostly good.
Today, home construction is at
an all-time record volume. Now
that did not happen all by itself.
One of the main reasons for it is
that the Government has been
helping to make credit available
at low interest rates and for long
periods.
Housing Goal Mentioned.
So far, we haven't done so well
on our proposal to build more
housing for middle-inc fam
lilies. But we are going to keep
trying. 80.
We are now engaged in a great
worldwide struggle to demonstrate
that the free way of life is the
way to the highest level of we'll
being for all the peoples Of the
world. To that end, we must make
our own economy ever stronger,
and must constantly improve the
welfare of our people.
This is q job for all Of us,
whether we are in private or pub
lie life. We will attain these goals
by working together in the COM
lmon cause.