EXHIBIT 13 GE Suggests 13-Week Boost In Benefits Unemployment Relief The General Electric Cómpany plants in Massachusetts yesterday proposed amendments to the state Employment Security Law substantially embodying the proposals recommended nationally last week by GE to be applied on a state-by-state basis. A detailed report on the GE proposals is contained in the PUBLIC ISSUE editorial on page four. 13-Week Extension Specifically, GE asks that unemployment compensation benefits be extended from the present 26-week maximum to 39 weeks when the percentage of unemployed work covered by the law mache The General Electric News BRIDGEPORT POST /Sound State Chamber's Plan Business and industry, represented the Connecticut Manufacturers Associa tion, opposed all bills now before the State Legislature that would increase benefits to the unemployed at last week's hearings in Hartford. And the association announced that it was "unalterably opposed" to a proposal of the State Chamber of Commerce which, under certain thoughtfully prepared conditions, would extend unemployment benefits to a maximum of 39 weeks. The Chamber, however, joined the manufacturers in their opposition to bills before the Labor committee to liberalize compensation benefits. Opposition is based on the belief tha liberalization of present laws would increase the costs of business and industry in Connecticut, and this burden would prevent them from expanding or even recov ering from the current recession. It was also said at the Labor Committee hearing) that it is yet to be shown that an emergency exists in this state. That statement was made as unemploy ment in Connecticut passed the 91,000 mark, according to Labor Commissioner Renato Ricciuti, which would seem to be convincing enough. Flat opposition to all measures offered was not quite realistic. While there may be truth in the statement that a heavy burden would fall on business and industry, it is our opinion that wise heads in state government and in business and labor can work out a satisfactory solution of the state's prob. Jem. Most people have been led to believe. on the state as well as the national level, that a serious recession could never hap pen again, that sound and permanent safeguards had been prepared through the years which could be put to use at once. in case of a sudden slump. But the present recession is eight months old, and none of the groups involved in preparing protec tive measures has come up with a solution. There was a clash of interests at Hartford, to be sure, but there was one serious proposal offered by the State Chamber of Commerce which in our opinion was the soundest proposition laid before the committee. It seems obvious that something of this type of benefit will have to be adopted by the Legislature, if unemploy ment benefits are to reach, ultimately, those who need aid the most. This was the plan offered by Maurice W. Reid of Bridgeport, representing the State hamber, who urged that present law be mended to increase aid to "regu lar mebers of the work force," by giv ing them aid for 33 weeks, with a max. imum of 39 weeks, when benefit claims equal or exceed 5 per cent of total covered employment for four consecutive weeks. But, this would also require a person making the claim to have worked five years preceding the claim. But if he had Social Security or other benefits he would not be eligible. The reasoning behind this proposal is simple. It is based on responsibility, which was clearly explained when Mr. Reid stated that while it is true that the plight of short term or transient workers who would not qualify is no less critical," "we feel that this is more a public responsibility than an exclusive one of the employers. This responsibility, he believes, could be discharged through monies from the General Fund or by an equitable form of taxation. The suggested amendment would provide an extension of time in which benefits could be collected but would not increase the weekly allowance as the Governor and labor organizations have advocated. Gen. /Elect General Electric Plants in New Jersey today announced that they favor an immediate consideration of a temporary extension of the Unemployment Compensation benefits period from 26 to 39 weeks for qualified unemployed workers financed by State funds rather than borrowing Federal funds for the extended costs. A Company spokesman stated that "General Electric's opinion is that the funds for extended benefits should come from State financed sources rather than borrowing Federal funds which would have to be paid back and would involve the risk of eventual Federal control of State responsibilities for unemployment". The Company's suggestions were aimed at providing proper relief during temporary periods of higher than normal unemployment--such as the one currently being experienced in the State. It was pointed out that the Company's position was not an endorsement the present Bill in the Senate providing for a flat unqualified unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks. EXHIBIT 17 U.S. SENATE Excerpts from testimony by Mr. E. S. Willis representing the Chamber of Commerce of the United States before the Senate Finance Committee on H. R. 12,065 (An Act to provide temporary additional May 15, 1958 -- Taken from the Hearings on the Bill, pp. 215-222 - "We believe the legislatures in these States can and will and moreover should be expected to adjust their unemployment compensation provisions with respect to benefit duration if, in their judgment, the volume of exhaustions threatens to present a serious problem." (p. 217) "Senator Douglas. Do you happen to know whether the New York State Chamber of Commerce was in favor of the recent liberalization of benefits in New York State?" (increase in maximum weekly benefit amount to $45) "Mr. Willis. I know that all of the State Chambers and the other employer associations in New York favored the rise in benefits." "Senator Douglas. How about the proposed extension of duration?" "Mr. Willis. I do not think they took a position on it... I might say my company (General Electric) favors extension of benefits." The General Electric News GE Consultant E. S. Willis, Consultant, Em- Willis pointed out that the He indi passed He suggested that each Willis said, "The maximum |