The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1955-10-14
Unemployment
COMPENSATION

The coming local election packs lot of in
terest for an offyear. There are some issues
involved which are of more than passing inter
est to us all. The election of members 10 the
new state school board, the bond issue Tor mental
institutions and the vote on the proposed law
to increase unemployment compensation bene-
fits will all be on the November ballot.
The PROPOSED to change the compensation law
cpenx I'D some very interesting possibilities In
the field of legislation The proposal was put
on the ballot through an initiative petition wnch
required the signatures of about 100000 regis
tered voters in the state. The petition was pfih-
cipay sponsored by the CIo when that organl-
za,on felt that the last legislature had not pro-
vided an adequate increase in benefits. The ClO
also felt that a great many people throughout
the state were Of the same opinion.
The State of Ohio experienced something OF
The same situation in regard to a film censorship
bill in that an obstinate committee chairman
was able te block what was clearly the Will OF
the rest of the legislature and of the majority OF
the people Initiative petition Is an expensive
and difficult method in which to make the voice
of the people effective but the trainers Of the
state constitution did give the people way TO
secure laws they want when the Legislature
itself shows TOO little concern for the desires
ri the people
The proposed changes would raise the max
Irnum benefits from the present S33 TO $50
~
the same time il would extend the possible pay
ment period from 26 to 80 weeks. In addition
the changes would provide dependency allow
ances of SO a child for maximum OF three
children.
Unemployment compensation is form OF
insurance II is not public charity or dole Tor
idle workers IL is paid from special fund sci
up for the purpose into which employees pay
NJ the rate of sixty cents per $4,000 of payroll
PAYMENT of benefits has nothing at all to do with
the general tax revenue and any increase in the
payments could not in any way cause an increase
in property or other taxes. The fund at present
contains $500 100000 and the Tax Commissioner
~ the State Of Ohio estimates that II the present
rate Of unemployment does not change, the pro-
posed law would mean an increased yearly ex
nendture from this fund Of S47000,000. The
fund seems in no danger nor would there seem
to he any need 10 increase the rate of employ
ment payments.
The objection is raised against the proposal
that il would cause workers 10 quit their jobs
In order to receive compensation and to continue
idle once they are out of work. Anyone acqualnt-
ed with the law knows that this is not the
case A worker who quits his job is not eligible
for compensation worker who is able to Sc
cure employment and who is not actively seeking
a Job cannot stay on compensation, The law pro
yides adequate safeguards so that worker
who is not qualified for compensation will not
receive the benefits.
The law was and is designed TO tide man
over who IN out of job through no fault of his
own until he can find employment or until
his former employer has work for him again
Under the old law the average weekly benefit
paid in 1854 was $40 There are very few fam
lies who can live on this amount without some
outside help, President Eisenhower, IN January
of this year. said il is highly desirable that the
compensation laws be changed so that payments
will at least equal hall Of regular earnings. That
would seem to give some meaning to law
which provides insurance benefits-and is not
q dole The proposed changes are good, Family
life needs economic security in time of distress
srising from unemployment We all hope that
pfotracted period Of general unemployment is a
thing OF the past, but il il should come II is bet
ter Ia have an adequate law than TO lament
the fact that We have none