of Governor Herbert R. O'Conor 247

Up to and including June of this year, Unemployment Compensation
benefits paid to workers throughout the United States have reached the
staggering total of $1, 107, 504, 000, with an average number of 1, 268, 556
receiving benefits each week during June. In the state of Pennsylvania alone,
a grand total of $152, 225, 000 has been paid out with an average weekly
total of beneficiaries reaching 89, 666 in June.

With a surplus available for benefits on June 30th of $1, 744, 198, 000,
every worker covered by insurance is amply assured of receiving his benefits
when and as he may have a claim upon them.

The Republican Party did not hear the appeal of the helpless victims of
the depression. The Democratic Party took affirmative action. But today the
opposition raises its voice feebly and whispers: "The Social Security Pro-
gram is all right, only we could do it better. "

We well remember that in the campaign of 1936 the Republican Party
called the Social Security Program a "hoax and a fraud. " They indicated
that they would scrap this beneficent undertaking. They ridiculed it in
their quest for office, but the people endorsed the program and thunderously
gave their approval with a record-breaking majority from 46 states.

The people approved by this overwhelming vote the leadership of our
President and the administration of the Nation's affairs by the Democratic
Party. The President's handling of the economic crisis was in striking con-
trast to the "do nothing" attitude of his Republican predecessors.

Other vitally important undertakings of the administration could be cited
with approval, if time permitted. We could refer to the gains made in the
cause of labor which has its charter of rights and to which has not only been
accorded the right of collective bargaining but the right of decent wages and
satisfactory hours and working conditions. Reference could be made to the
aid given agriculture against the double threat of glutted markets and ruinous
prices. Proof could be adduced as to the beneficial results of the administra-
tion's efforts in suppressing wild-cat stock operation, which under Republican
administration mulcted the people of this Country millions of dollars annually.

Again, accomplishment in the interest of the general public has been made
through the Rural Electrification Program and the supplying of power through
government-operated agencies. Homes in Pennsylvania and other states of
the Country now enjoy conveniences that were denied them under pre-existing
conditions. It is noteworthy that, in the administration's undertakings for
the good of the general public, it oftimes met resistance from utility interests
such as that in which Mr. Willkie has been a prominent figure.

But, all during the period when these domestic problems were being stud-
ied and solved in our own land, there was brewing abroad another and
greater problem which ultimately was to affect this Country. Despite the
fact that the American people had been lulled into a false security under the
Republican Party, President Roosevelt recognized clearly, in advance of other
people in this Country, the full possible effect on us of the happenings in
Europe.

When he entered in office in 1933 it was after the Republican Party had
boasted that the army of the United States "had reached the irreducible mini-
mum consistent with self-reliance, self-respect and security for the Country. "
The irreducible minimum gave us no security. The President, who had served
as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, knew that this branch of the service was