AMERICAN PUBLIC WELFARE ASSOCIA

TION. The Public Welfare Directory, 1947. John L. Goetz, Editor. Chicago: The Association, 1947. 307 pp. $1.80.

A guide to Federal, State, county, and local public welfare agencies in the United States and Canada. BROWN, SIBYL CLEMENT. "The Security of Children in Postwar Britain." Child Welfare League of America Bulletin, New York, Vol. 36, Apr. 1947, pp. 1-5. 20 cents.

Reviews the findings of the British committee appointed to study the care of children in institutions and foster homes.

COMMUNITY SERVICE SOCIETY OF NEW

YORK. The Family, a Force for
Peace. Annual Report, 1945-1946.
New York: The Society, 1947. 46
pp.

CORDISH, HILDA. "Family Agency

Services in Meeting the Problems of the Aged." Jewish Social Service Quarterly, New York, Vol. 23, Dec. 1946, pp. 177-185. $2.

Discussion of the case-work services offered by the Jewish Family and Children's Bureau of Baltimore and the Bureau's relation to other community resources.

GINNS, SADIE J. "The Role of the Family Agency in the Use of Housekeeper Service." Jewish Social Service Quarterly, New York, Vol. 23, Dec. 1946, pp. 186-190. $2.

An account of the housekeeper service program of the Philadelphia Jewish Welfare Society. GUCKENHEIMER, LUDWIG.

"Ten Years

of Public Welfare in Louisiana." Louisiana Welfare, Baton Rouge, Vol. 7, Jan. 1947, pp. 3-7 ff. NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SOCIAL WORK. Proceedings Selected Papers, Seventy-Third Annual Meeting, Buffalo, New York, May 19-23, 1946. New York: Published for the National Conference of Social Work by Columbia University Press, 1947. 608 pp. $5. Of the 65 papers selected for publication those most closely related to social security are Social Work in a Revolutionary Age, by Kenneth L. M. Pray; Social Work in the New Economic Scene, by Ewan Clague; Community Prerogative and the Individual, by A. Delafield Smith; The Public Welfare Agency in an Insurance World, by Robert T. Lansdale; The States and a Federal Department of Welfare, by Marietta Steven

son; The Findings of the National Commission on Children and Youth, by Edna Nicholson and Lillie H. Nairne; Public Housing for the Aged, by John P. Dean; Our Legislative Responsibility for the Aged, by Harold C. Ostertag; The Administration of Federal Health Insurance, by I. S. Falk; and Relations Between Public Health Administration and Medical Care Administration, by Joseph W. Mountin. Other papers deal with social case work, group work, community organization, social work administration, veterans, and delinquency.

NATIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE ASSEMBLY. 1946 Annual Report of the Director. New York: The Assembly, 1947. 12 pp. Processed.

The first report on the activities of the Assembly, with which 46 national organizations are affiliated. NEBRASKA. DEPARTMENT OF ASSISTANCE AND CHILD WELFARE. DIVISION OF CHILD WELFARE. Minimum Standards and Goals for Child-Caring Institutions and Child-Placing Agencies in Nebraska. Lincoln: The Division, 1946. 45 pp. NEW YORK STATE CONFERENCE OF SOCIAL WORK. [Papers], New York City, 1946. Albany: The Conference, 1947. 190 pp.

The selected published papers include Group Work Programs in the Post-War Era, by Nathan Cohen; Social Case Work Matures in a Confused World, by Eduard C. Lindeman; Government Assumes Its Responsibility, by Margaret Anne McGuire; Care of the Aged in an Urban Program, by Alfred Lockitt; and The Older Worker in Industry, by Russell McCarthy.

TAX FOUNDATION.

Public Welfare. New York: The Foundation, 1947. 14 pp. (A Civic Guide to Economy in Municipal Government No. 7.)

A survey of typical operating procedures of State and local public welfare agencies designed to acquaint the layman with the philosophy and policies governing public assistance. THOMAS, DOROTHY V. "Criteria for the Giving of Financial Assistance in a Private Family Agency." Journal of Social Casework, New York, Vol. 28, May 1947, pp. 183-190. 35 cents.

Describes the policies governing the amount of monetary aid and the conditions under which it is given.

Health and Medical Care

AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. COUN-
CIL ON MEDICAL SERVICE. Voluntary

Health Insurance vs Compulsory
Sickness Insurance. Chicago: The
Association, 1946.
124 pp.

A collection of articles. BRUNSCHWIG, ALEXANDER; CLARK, DEAN; and LINFORD, ALTON. Health Insurance: Public or Private? Chicago: University of Chicago Round Table, 1947. 21 pp. (University of Chicago Round Table No. 461.) FRIEDMAN, ROBERT. How's Your Health? New York: New Century Publishers, 1947. 32 pp. 10 cents. Comments on the amount and causes of sickness in the United States and urges the adoption of a compulsory national health insurance program.

HARRISON, ANNA. "Medical Social Problems of the Aged." Louisiana Welfare, Baton Rouge, Vol. 7, Jan. 1947, pp. 15-21.

Discusses the medical, social, and economic problems frequently related to old age and indicates what can and should be done to meet them. HUNT, G. HALSEY. Medical Groups in the United States, 1946. Washington: U. S. Public Health Service, Division of Public Health Methods, 1947. 61 pp.

A directory of medical group-practice organizations indicating the number of physicians and dentists participating, the type of medical service given, and whether the group is private, industrial, consumer, hospital, medical school, or government. IRWIN, VERN D. "Application on a State Level of the A. D. A. Public Health Policies." Journal of the American Dental Association, Chicago, Vol. 34, Mar. 1, 1947, pp. 330340. 40 cents.

An appraisal of the Minnesota prdgram which embodies the principles of the American Dental Association. LAMNECK, JOHN HOWARD. Lamneck's Ohio Workmen's Compensation Practice Manual. Cleveland: The Haynes Publishing Company, 1946. 747 pp. $15.

"Intended as a practical manual for the use of the Industrial Commission, the bench and bar . . ." the volume contains information on the administration and provisions of the workmen's compensation law, the duties and responsibilities of employers, penalties and liabilities, proce

48

dures, and other matters relating to the program.

MUNTZ, EARL E. The National Health

Program Scheme. New York, Washington: American Enterprise Association, 1946. 35 pp. (National Economic Problems No. 418-A.) 50 cents.

Analysis of the Wagner-MurrayDingell health bill (S. 1606) which emphasizes the administrative and fiscal aspects of the proposed program.

NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE

BOARD. Compulsory Sickness Compensation for New York State. New York: The Board, 1947. 184 pp.

A survey of the economic problems surrounding a program of health insurance and cash sickness benefits which examines foreign experience, reviews proposals for compulsory

(Continued from page 2)

the war or compete for other jobs during the reconversion. Less than 11 percent of the primary benefit awards went to women. The average primary benefit awarded in 1946 was $25.42; the amount awarded to women averaged $6 less than that for men.

UNDER THE THREE special types of public assistance, both expenditures and the number of recipients increased slightly in April, as in every month since September 1945. The general assistance case load, on the other hand, went down by about 5,000 in the country as a whole. Expenditures for assistance under all four programs totaled $122 million. President's Message on Health

In a special message to Congress on May 19, President Truman reiterated his request that the Congress "give immediate attention to the development and enactment of national health and disability insurance programs."

A national health insurance program, the President pointed out, "is a logical extension of the present social security system which is so firmly entrenched in our American democracy. Of the four basic risks to the

health insurance both in New York State and at the Federal level, appraises the State health record, outlines the extent of voluntary and compulsory protection against the costs of medical and hospital care, and estimates the cost of health and cash sickness benefits for New York. The contributors include Earl E. Muntz, Acheson J. Duncan, Elizabeth W. Wilson, and Sidney Borden.

PINK, LOUIS H. "Contracts Can Be Liberalized To Include Mental and Tuberculosis Cases." Modern Hospital, Chicago, Vol. 68, Apr. 1947, pp. 75-77. 35 cents.

Reasons why Blue Cross plans should include these cases and examples of contracts that do.

ROBERTS, DEAN. "The Maryland Medical Care Program." The Councillor, Baltimore, Vol. 12, Mar-Apr. 1947, pp. 4-10.

security of working people and their families-unemployment, old age, death, and sickness-we have provided some insurance protection against against three. Protection

the fourth-sickness-is the major missing element in our national social insurance program.

"An insurance plan is the American way of accomplishing our objective. It is consistent with our democratic principles. It is the only plan broad enough to meet the needs of all our people. It is-in the long run-far less costly and far more effective than public charity or a medical dole.

"Under the program which I have proposed patients can and will be as free to select their own doctors as they are today. Doctors and hospitals can and will be free to participate or to reject participation. And a national health insurance plan can and should provide for administration through State and local agencies, subject only to reasonable national standards.

"Finally, I should like to repeat to the Congress my earlier recommendation that the people of America be protected against loss of earnings due to illness or disability not connected with their work. Protection against temporary disability is already provided by two States and is being con

Describes the program, which provides medical, hospital, nursing, and dental care for the medically indigent.

"Sickness Insurance: Eligibility Requirements and Benefits.” Monthly Review (Railroad Retirement Board), Chicago, Vol. 8, Apr. 1947, pp. 81-83.

Summarizes eligibility requirements, amount and duration of benefits, and disqualifying conditions of the cash sickness benefit system for railroad workers.

U. S. COAL MINES ADMINISTRATION. A Medical Survey of the Bituminous Coal Industry. Washington: U. S. Govt. Print. Off., 1947. 244 pp. and supplement. $1.75.

A survey, with recommendations, of the medical services and facilities, housing conditions, sanitation, and recreational facilities available in mining communities.

sidered in others. Comprehensive disability insurance should exist throughout the Nation. It can and should be a part of our social insurance system.

"The total health program which I have proposed is crucial to our national welfare. The heart of that program is national health insurance. Until it is a part of our national fabric, we shall be wasting our most precious national resource and shall be perpetuating unnecessary misery and human suffering."

UN Charter Anniversary.

In observance of June 26, 1947, the second anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter, William L. Mitchell, Acting Commissioner for Social Security, recalled the significance to social security programs of "that great act of faith and statesmanship at San Francisco two years ago when representatives of 50 countries, in signing the Charter, committed their peoples 'to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.'" Mr. Mitchell urged a reaffirmation of "faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person..."

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1947

The Month of June

The month of June was marked by a rising tide of optimism in the business community: stock prices were inching up, each week brought new announcements of ambitious investment plans of big industrial corporations, and predictions of mass unemployment in the near future disappeared from the headlines and were replaced by forecasts of economic expansion. Such a spectacular change in the psychological climate usually reflects a change in business conditions and foreshadows forthcoming economic developments. In this particular case, however, the prevailing attitudes of businessmen and economic observers seemed to be lagging several months behind economic developments rather than reflecting or foreshadowing them.

Nothing happened in June to indicate an upturn in economic conditions or employment outlook. There was no appreciable progress in the adjustment of prices. The decline in the prices of basic commodities that had started in May gradually leveled off. The seasonal price cuts in certain markets were offset by the increase in other prices. The losses in production of textiles and clothing were offset by automobile production that held its ground on a level close to 100,000 cars per week. The loss of production in coal-caused by the safety holiday and vacation of miners-was offset by the low ebb in labor conflicts. The weekly production of iron and steel was fluctuating in a very narrow margin, slightly above the 1946 level; oil refineries and electric power plants were working on a level approximately 5 percent higher than in the preceding year.

By early summer, expansion of building construction had not vindicated the optimistic anticipations: instead of 1 million dwelling units as

754554-47-1

had been expected at the beginning of this year, only 725,000 will be started during this building season; instead of the expected 950,000 units, only 765,000 will be completed. Even with this correction, however, building activity in 1947 will proceed on the same scale as in 1941, exceeding by a considerable margin the 1946 experience.

The general economic situation and employment outlook remained the same as in recent months. Despite partial set-backs, the industrial plant as a whole was working on a level of more than full employment. Shifts of the labor force and lay-offs of workers, however, were taking place at a

In this issue:

SOCIAL SECURITY IN REVIEW:

The month of June_.

May in review___.

Number 7

much higher rate than might be anticipated at the present level of production. This "fresh" unemployment explains the comparatively high numbers of claims for unemployment insurance during June.

Total initial and waiting-period claims filed in local offices (excluding those in New York) declined from the week ended May 24 to the last week in June. This development suggests that seasonal revival in the early part of the summer offset the lay-offs in single industries passing through a period of readjustment. The relative steadiness of the compensable-claims load, on the other hand, may be attributed to the rapid turn-over among claimants, most of whom appear to be returning to work after relatively short periods of unemployment.

The total numbers of claims reported in the second half of May and the first half of June were affected by the beginning of the new benefit year in New York. A clearer picture of the unemployment trends that prevailed in this period in covered industries is obtained if the data for New York are segregated from those for other States.

Initial claims for unemployment insurance in May were below the April levels in all but eight of the States for which data are available. Continued claims also declined for the country as a whole, mainly because the Memorial Day holiday meant that claims that would otherwise have been filed in May were shifted to the first week in June. Declines in continued claims in the Western States-the result of seasonal increases in employmentmore than offset increases in the East, where claims loads were affected by the beginning of new benefit years in seven States and lay-offs as a result of overstocking of supplies, shortages of some materials, and consumer resistance to high prices. Unemployment during the week ended May 10, as measured by the ratio of continued

claims to covered employment, was the lowest for 5 months-3.9 percent. A total of $72.3 million was paid in benefits during the month to an average weekly number of 937,000 beneficiaries.

IN MAY, for the first time in the history of the old-age and survivors insurance program, more than 2 million benefits were in force; 1.8 million persons were actually receiving benefits at a monthly rate of $34.5 million. Awards made during the month (53,000) were only 1,000 less than the number awarded in the peak month of May 1946 and exceeded the April 1947 total by 1,000. The rise from April to May was almost entirely the result of an increase in the number of primary benefits awarded. Fewer benefits of all other types except parents' were awarded than in April, though survivor benefits processed during May included benefits awarded to survivors of 626 deceased workersmore than double the number represented in April awards-who had credits under both the railroad and the old-age and survivors insurance systems.

THE MONTH-TO-MONTH increase since September 1945 in both payments and case loads under the three special types of public assistance was interrupted during May, when payments to recipients for old-age assistance declined slightly (less than 0.05 percent). At the same time the number of recipients under this program went up

also very slightly. The upward trend in both payments and case loads continued in the other two special programs, however. The general assistance case load declined for the third successive month, and expenditures under this program dropped for the first time since June 1946. Total payments under all four programs in May were about $122 million, $140,000 more than in April.

Appropriation for the Social Se

curity Administration, 1947-48

The Labor-Federal Security Appropriation Act, 1948, signed by President Truman on July 8, appropriated nearly $750 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1948, for programs under the Social Security Administration. Of this total, $704.6 million will go to the States under the grants-inaid programs of the Social Security Act-$625 million for the three special programs of public assistance, $57,6 million for unemployment insurance administration, $11 million for maternal and child health services, $7.5 million for services to crippled children, and $3.5 million for child welfare services. The balance of the appropriation-$45.4 million-represents $900,000 for reconversion unemployment benefits for seamen, $3 million for the emergency maternity and infant care program, and $41.5 million for salaries and other administrative expenses.

(Continued on page 44)

THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL of the United Nations serves as "international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples." It deals, in the words of the Honorable John G. Winant, the first Chairman of the Social Security Board and the first United States representative on the Council, "with the rights of man-and that wide area of human needs which is contained in the phrase 'freedom from want'. . . [It] is charged with the positive and constructive work of dealing directly with the basic needs of human beings-and so with the foundations of peace itself."

The plan for the United Nations, developed at San Francisco in the spring of 1945, gave new emphasis to the importance of resolving economic and social problems. Under the Charter, therefore, the Economic and Social Council was made a principal organ of the United Nations, reporting to the General Assembly. It is composed of 18 nations, elected by the General Assembly as Members for terms of 3 years.

Each Member Nation designates its own representative, and each nation, irrespective of size, has one vote.

• Director, Office of Inter-Agency and International Relations, Federal Security Agency. Mrs. Woodward, who was a member of the Social Security Board from 1938 to 1946, served as adviser from the Federal Security Agency to the United States representative on the Economic and Social Council at its fourth session, February 28 to March 29.

1 Charter of the United Nations, Preamble.

2 "Pursuit of Happiness in the Economic and Social World," address before the American Association for the United Nations in New York City on May 16, 1946. (The Department of State Bulletin, June 9, 1946.)

In dealing with the great variety of problems falling within its scope, the Economic and Social Council (1) makes recommendations to the General Assembly, Member Governments, and the specialized agencies, (2) makes or initiates studies and reports, (3) prepares draft conventions for submission to the General Assembly, (4) calls international conferences, and (5) coordinates the activities of the specialized agencies. The Council has set up nine commissions to advise it in the different fields in which it has responsibility. These are the Economic and Employment, the Social, the Fiscal, and the Statistical Commissions, and the Commissions on Transport and Communications, Population, Human Rights, the Status of Women, and Narcotic Drugs.

The Council holds at least three sessions a year. The first was held in London in January-February 1946. Since then all sessions have been held in the United States at United Nations headquarters; the second was held in the spring and the third in the autumn of 1946, and the fourth, and most recent, ran from February 28 to March 29, 1947.

The fourth session of the Council dealt with a tremendous range of technical subjects. For the first time the Council had before it reports from all its permanent commissions, except the Fiscal Commission. All eight commissions had held meetings shortly before the Council session, and in their reports they made recommendations for concrete work programs in

In addition, two regional commissions, the Economic Commission for Europe and the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, were established by the Council at its fourth session (see below).

ous working groups and committees, such as the working group on the Reconstruction of Devastated Areas and the Preparatory Committee of the International Conference on Trade and Employment, also submitted reports that served as bases for decisions on important questions. In addition, the agenda included questions concerning the implementation of various important resolutions of the General Assembly calling for consideration by the Council of a variety of subjects, including among others the crime of genocide, housing, relief needs after the termination of UNRRA, and expert advice to Member Governments. In contrast to earlier sessions, therefore, the fourth session was concerned less with organizational problems and structure and more with detailed plans for programs of work.

Measures for Economic
Recovery

The Council took significant steps at this session in both the economic and social fields. Of greatest importance, however, was its work on basic problems of economic recovery. A major step was the creation of two regional commissions, the Economic Commission for Europe and the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, to deal with concrete problems of reconstruction. The Economic Commission for Europe will take over the functions of several emergency postwar organizations outside the framework of the United Nations. Both commissions are to initiate and participate in "measures for facilitating concerted action for the economic reconstruction" of these areas, for raising the level of economic activity, and for maintaining and strengthening the economic relations of these areas, both among themselves and with other countries of the world. Leroy D. Stinebower, United States representative on the Council, described the establishment of the Economic Commission for Europe as "one of the most forward-looking steps towards international cooperation in these urgent problems of reconstruction that we can take."

In addition, extremely important action on fundamental economic