Unemployment Worries

Dwight Eisenhower last week inked his name to a bill that Congress had worked into approximately the shape he wanted. The measure extended federal aid to 405,000 unemployed in 17 states until June 30 at a cost of $78 million. A Republican-Southern Democratic coalition-- and a threat of presidential veto--had blocked liberal Democratic attempts to lengthen the time limit, broaden the eligibility, and raise the cost as high as $875 million. Yet even as Ike signed last week, there were indications that he had not yet heard the last of the problem of unemployment (currently about 6% of the labor force--see BUSINESS).

At home for Easter recess, Congressmen from Eastern and Midwestern industrial districts found unemployment a topic so potent that it was reflected in arguments for higher tariffs and less foreign aid. Reported Indiana Democrat Winfield K. Denton after a survey of his Evansville district: "I heard very little about balancing the budget. Unemployment--that's what they want to talk about." Freshman Democrat Roman Pucinski, onetime Chicago Sun-Times reporter, was chilled by the persistent demands for more unemployment aid in his northwestern Chicago neighborhood.

Said eight-term Pittsburgh Republican James Fulton, an Eisenhower supporter: "I'll vote for many domestic programs now, regardless of any economy move." Added John P. Saylor, fellow Pennsylvanian (Johnstown) and fellow Republican: "My people are very concerned over this on-again-off-again cycle." Saylor said he was heading back to Washington looking for compromises between the President's program and Democratic spending. If compromise fails, he will vote Democratic.

In the growing concern over unemployment, the White House was not the only target. From Michigan's Senator Pat McNamara last week went a scorching "Dear Lyndon" letter to Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson. McNamara recalled the attempt by 18 liberal Democrats, including himself, to increase unemployment compensation. Snapped he, of their efforts: "An exercise in futility." To McNamara, "all this raises serious questions in my mind about Senate majority leadership--or the lack of it."

This week returning Congressmen were due for another reminder. Led by United Auto Workers' Walter Reuther. A.F.L.-C.I.O. members were converging on Washington to hold a "conference on unemployment" in the shadow of Capitol Hill.

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