Evening star., 1961-03-29
JObIess Benefit
Boost Urged
For District
City Heads Hear
Pleas for Higher
Maximum Aid
BY SAM EASTMAN
Star Staff Writer

BY SAM EASTMAN
star Staff Writer
The Commissioners were
urged today to back higher pay
mentS to jobless workers in
the District.
The statements were made at
a hearing on proposed legis-
lationS that would lift the cell
ing on unemployment compen-
Sation payments.
Major provisions in the legis-
lation would:
/. Increase the maximum
weekly payment of $50 to SO
per cent of the average wage
Of all covered workers.
2. Expand the maximum a
worker could receive during any
26 weeks Of unemployment dur
ing a 12-month period. This
would be done by increasing
the maximum compensation to-
tai from one-third Of a mans
wages during a year to one
half Of this figure.
Supporters Of the proposed
bill testified that the increased
benefits are justified and that
pinning the maximum weekly
amount on the percentage for
mula would provide the nee
essary flexibility from year to
year.
Board Proposes Plan
The increased jobless pay
ments were proposed by the
city'S Unemployment Compen-
sation Board.
Other points in the boards
recommended legislation in
clude slightly tougher eligibility
requirements and a provision
barring payments to individuals
who voluntarily retire and re-
ceive pensions.
The average compensation
payments here of $26 a week
would go to about $33. Some
workers would receive as much
as $45. There are now about
10000 workers who draw un.
employment C mpensatio I
here.
The proposals are not di-
rectly related to a new law ex-
tending unemployment COM
pensation for jobless workers
who use up their local pay
mentS.
Maximum Here Low
At the opening Of today''
hearing in the District Build
ing, Commissioner Walter N
Tobriner said the city now ha'
one Of the lowest maximum
weekly benefit amounts in the
country. The proposed so pei
cent formula would place it ir
more favorable position, he
said.
THE proposal would also al
low the maximum weekly bene'
fit to vary from year to year ir
| accordance with the economy
without going to Congress fol
additional legislation" Mr.. To.
briner noted.
Edgar L. Lickey, director oi
the District Unemployment
Compensation Board, said ben
efits paid to jobless workers
help not only the unemployed
but the community as a whole
through bolstering buying
power.
j. C. Turner, president Of the
Greater Washington Contra
Labor Council, strongly backec
increased benefits. Mr.. Turner
however, urged the Commits
sioners to withhold a decision
on the proposed legislation un'
til they have had time to con
suit with the Department o.
Labor on the administration
position on proper compensa'
ton levels.
Other Ideas Offered
Another witness, William K
Norwood, president Of the Fed
Grafton Of Citizens Associations
proposed an increase in th'
maximum payments to $40
along with a supplemental $1I
per week where one or NOR
dependents are involved.
Mr.. Norwood also said hi
association favors barring from
eligibility any person discharged
from a job for willful mis-
conduct.
The Metropolitan Washington
Board Of Trade favors an in
crease in the maximum o
weekly payments to $38.
The proposals from tn,
Board of Trade also includ,
Recommendations for tighten
ing up on the disqualification
provisions for the benefits.
The annual compensation
payments in the Distric
amount to about S. million
The proposals submitted to tn,
Commissioners would cost al
additional $1.2 million a year