Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-05

GeTcSLS VI ldUOT hIIu uAdAidBC-
ment but also the public well
flare. The needed amendments
should be enacted without fur
Their delay.
We must also carry forward
the Job of improving the wage
hour law. Last year I requested
the Congress to broaden the
coverage of the minimum wage
I repeat that recommendation
and l pledge the full resources
lof the Executive Branch to as
|sist the Congress in finding ways
to attain this goal. Moreover
as requested last year, legisla-
ton should be passed to clarity
and strengthen the 8-hour laws
for the benefit of workers who
are subject to Federal wage
standards on Federal and Fed
leraly assisted construction and
lother public works.
| The administration viii short
lily propose legislation to assure
adequate disclosure of the f.
nancial affairs of each employe
pension and welfare plan and
to afford substantial protection
to their beneficiaries in ac-
cordance with the detectives
outlined in my message of Jan
uary II. 1854. Occupational
safety still demands attention
las I pointed out last year, and
Legislation to improve the Long
shoremen's and Harbor Workers
Compensation Act is still needed
The improvement of the District
Iof Columbia Unemployment In
isurance Law and legislation to
provide employees In the District
with non-occupational disability
insurance are no less necessary
now than IL months ago. Legis-
lation to apply the principle OF
equal pay for equal work with
out discrimination because OF
sex is a matter Of simple justice,
! earnestly urge the Congress to
move swiftly to implement these
needed labor measures.
In the field Of human needs,
we must carry forward the hous-
ing program which is contrib
uting so greatly TO the we'll being
of our people and the prosperity
OF our economy. Home owner
ship Is now advanced to the
point where almost three of
every five families in our cities,
towns and suburbs own the
houses they live in.
Two-Year Housing Plan
For the housing program, most
Iof the legislative authority al
ready exists. However, a firm
program of public housing is
essential until the private build
ling industry has found ways to
provide more adequate housing
for low-income families. The
administration will propose
authority to contract for $4,000
additional public housing units
in each of the next two fiscal
years for communities which will
participate in an integrated
attack on slums and blight.
| To meet the needs of the
growing number of older people
several amendments to the Ma
tiona! Housing Act will be pro-
posed to assist the private home
building industry as we'll as
charitable and nonprofit organ
izations.
With SO large a number of the
American people desiring to
modernize and improve existing
dwellings. I recommend that the
Title I program for permanent
improvements in the home be
Iliberalized.
! recommend increases in the
general FILA mortgage insur-
lance authority; the extension
Iof the FILA military housing
program; an increase in the au-
Information for urban planning
grants; in the special assistance
authority of the Federal Nation
Ial Mortgage Association, and
continued support of the college
housing program in a way that
will not discourage private cap
Iital from helping to meet the
needs Of our colleges.
Aid for U. S. Workers
| The legislation I have rec
commended for workers in pri-
lvate industry should be accom-
panied by a parallel effort for
the welfare Of Government en-
lployees. We have accomplished
much in this field, including a
contributory life insurance pro-
gram; equitable pay increases
and a fringe benefits program.
covering many needed personnel
policy changes, from improved
premium pay to a meaningful
incentive awards program.
Additional personnel manage
ment legislation is needed in
this session. AS stated last
year. an executive pay increase
is essential to efficient govern
mental management. Such an
increase, together with needed
adjustments in the pay for the
top career positions, is also nee
essary to the equitable compile
tion Of the Federal pay program
initiated last year. Other legis-
lation will be proposed, includ-
ling legislation for prepaid group
health insurance for employees
and their dependents and to eff
feet major improvements in the