Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-03-22

Federal standards to increase
benefit payments and extend
their duration.
Secretary Of Labor Mitchell
has recommended such Federal
standards. informed sources
hint. The President apparently
called the Governors to the
White House in q list-ditch eff
fort to gauge prospects for
State action to forestall Federal
Intervention.
Gov. Leroy Collins. Democrat
Of Florida, will head a delega-
ton Of eight Governors meet
ing with the President. Only
Gov. Robert B. Meyner, Demo-
crat Of New Jersey, declined the
Presidents invitation to the
nine-man Executive Committee
Of the Governors Conference.
Unions Lead Drive
Organized labor is leading
the drive for legislation to set
up Federal standards, on
grounds that many States are
unwilling or unable to make
their own programs Of jobless
aid adequate. Key business
groups contend the States are
handling the job satisfactorily.
The AFL-CIO backs a bill to
TX minimum primary benefits
at so per cent Of a workers
regular weekly wage. but no
more than two-thirds of his
States average weekly wage.
Workers unemployed for long
periods could receive benefit
payments for 80 weeks.
Senator Kennedy of Massa-
chusetts, a leading sponsor Of
Democratic legislation to carry
out the AFL-CIO program. yes
terday telegraphs % Governors
urging them to support Federal
standards.
President Eisenhower has
conceded some State programs
are inadequate. But he has re-
peatedly urged the States to
improve their own setups in
stead of relying on the Federal
Government. Standards in the
unemployment compensation
field are mainly a State respon-
sibility, the President main
tainS.
Some States have liberalized
their jobless pay standards. but
not enough to satisfy union
leaders or. apparently. Mr.. Eli
senhower.
Pledge May FAN Short
While some of the Cover
nors at tomorrow's conference
may assure the President of
their cooperation. it seems
likely that their pledges will
fall short Of the standards he
believes are necessary.
Labor Department experts
warn that congressional action
on Federal standards this year
would have no widespread eff
feet until 1861. The States
would have to amend their laws
to conform with the new Fed
eral standards. Congressional
action probably would come too
late for follow-up legislation in
the States this year. and only |
a minority Of State legislatures
will be in session next year.
The debate over Federal
standards is not directly related
to the issue Of temporary I'm.
employment compensation, the
emergency recession program
which Congress is expected to
extend this week.
President Eisenhower must
decide his stand on Federal
standards soon. The House
Ways and Means Committee is
scheduled to start hearings on
the issue April IT.
80 Standards Now
Secretary Mitchell has said
Federal standards for amount
and duration of benefits would
not constitute a sharp depar-
ture for the jobless pay pro-
gram. Under existing law. the
States must meet some SO
minimum standards in other
aspects of the compensation
formula.
The Federal Government
levies a tax of 3 per cent on
employers payrolls, to a maxi
mum of $4,000 annual earn
ings for each employee. All the
States have established APP