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Economic lesson number one of the past But what I want to emphasize is that to pass a nationwide old-age pension
twenty years is that men and women workmen's compensation laws are not and unemployment insurance act. Once

on farms, men and women in cities, for the sole benefit of workmen injured again the Representative from the Free
are partners. America cannot prosper in industry. They confer a definite State of Maryland took the lead and,

unless both groups prosper. That is the benefit on farmers because the injured thanks to his pioneering, decent security

keystone in the arch of the economic and industrial worker is able to get his of life is assured today to millions of our
social policy of your Administration in compensation promptly and continue people.
Washington. to buy food for himself and his family.
I know that, speaking here to you
May I illustrate again by taking some Later on in the halls of Washington citizens in Denton and to people who
high-spots? a young Congressman pushed and are listening in on the radio all over
pleaded until he got a parcel post law Maryland, I know that I do not have to
Nearly thirty years ago people who were on the statute books of the United States. name that young man. That man is now

injured in factories through no fault That parcel post law was of principal well along in mature middle age, and I
of their own found it difficult, if not benefit to those who in every state lived do not have to tell you his name. But in

impossible, to get adequate compensation on R.F.D. routes. But it was not for their forty-seven other states there are people,
for their injuries. A very proper demand benefit alone, for it helped their brothers millions of them, who are listening to

arose for workmen's compensation laws. and sisters who worked in the cities of what I am saying on this Labor Day, and
Thanks to the pioneering of a young the country.
Maryland legislator, the fi rst Workmen's
Compensation Act ever to be passed And that young Congressman was the
in the United States was adopted by same Maryland legislator of earlier days.
Maryland. Ten years later, I, following
this man's lead, was helping to pass a Many years later it became clear that
workmen's compensation law through the problem of dependent old age was
the Legislature of the State of New York. a trying one, that the states and the
Federal Government, that employers
and employees, should come together

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