Nurses are public servants in the full meaning of the term. Their first interest lies with their patients. The profession is proud of its service record, in peace and in war. In World War II, 75,000—onethird of all practicing nurses in the United States, and the largest group from any one profession, male or female-saw active duty with the Armed Forces. All of these nurses were volunteers. Nurses are on hand to help when disaster strikes our communities. Today's news reports tell of the contribution being made by nurses caring for the sick and wounded in Korea. During a serious nurse shortage of more than 9 weeks' duration, nurses have made only modest requests and have foregone the use of the strike. This constitutes clear evidence that they have chosen to put patients first and have not exploited their bargaining advantages during the shortage. Nurses seek no preferential treatment in this period when sacrifices must be made by all citizens. The nursing profession seeks only to raise its voice in support of a sound economic structure for our country, a structure that will guarantee the welfare and continuing usefulness of all our essential occupations. Nurses call upon their Representatives in Congress to provide economic controls that will enable them to continue their work, free from the unwarranted economic burdens which beat upon them and every group in this country. Piecemeal and half-hearted controls only multiply inequities and imbalances, as the experience of the past. 9 months testifies. Effective action is needed immediately if we are to protect the very foundation of the society we are all striving to defend and serve. Mr. Chairman, I ask permission to insert in the record exhibits I, II, and III. The CHAIRMAN. That may be done, without objection. (The exhibits referred to are as follows:) EXHIBIT I AMERICAN NURSES' ASSOCIATION-SPOT CHECK OF CURRENT HOSPITAL NURSING, JANUARY 1951 (Summary of all data received by February 16, 1951. A preliminary summary was included in the statement for the Wage Stabilization Board, February 6, 1951) To procure current data on the supply-distribution situation, the ANA Headquarters Economic Security Unit in January 1951 sent questionnaires to directors of nurses in 65 non-Federal general hospitals throughout the country. Hospitals in the 34 cities used in the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumers' Price Index were selected. A tax-supported institution and a non-tax supported institution were chosen in each city as far as possible. There were no tax-supported hospitals located in three of the cities so that questionnaires were sent to a total of 34 non-tax-supported hospitals and 31 tax-supported. Replies were received from 87 percent of the tax-supported institutions and from 79 percent of the non-tax-supported institutions. It is planned to repeat this spot check at regular intervals in order to follow the impact of mobilization. The excellent response from directors of nurses was gratifying. All institutions reporting, except one, indicated the number of registered nurses on their staff today, the total being 9,051. In July 1950, these institutions had 1,194 unfilled vacancies and today they have 1,382 unfilled vacancies (including 50 new positions). Thus, a trend toward increasing vacancies and hence increased workloads in these civilian hospitals is indicated by this spot check. The directors of nurses were also asked to indicate the number of terminations since July 1, 1950, the anticipated terminations before February 28, 1951, and the reasons for these terminations. Although it is not possible to draw definite conclusions from the results procured, it was shown that directors of nurses anticipated an increase in the percentage of terminations due to employees entering the military or nonnursing employment, and a decrease in the percentage of terminations due to nurses becoming inactive. Results from the questionnaire revealed that there had been very little change in the proportion of time of professional nursing service performed by part-time registered nurses between July 1, 1950, and today, and that the proportion of time of nursing service performed by practical nurses or auxiliary workers had not changed significantly during the same period. The spot check revealed that these directors of nurses considered the best sources of potential additional service to be new graduate registered nurses and increased use of practical nurses and auxiliary help. Eighty-one percent of the hospitals indicated that evening and night shifts were difficult to staff. Of those having difficulty, 77 percent pay premium pay for these shifts. Approximately three out of four hospitals stated that premium pay had had some effect in alleviating the problem of procuring evening and night shift coverage. Minimum salaries in effect in January 1951, ranged from $125 per month (44hour week), plus room and meals, to $275 per month (40-hour week), with no maintenance. The lowest minimum cash salary paid to nurses who did not receive any maintenance in addition to their cash salary was $180 (44-hour week). institution reported a minimum monthly cash salary of $177.67 (48-hour week), plus the laundering of uniforms. One The most commonly scheduled workweek in January 1951, was 44 hours, with 46 percent of the institutions reporting indicating a 44-hour scheduled workweek, 37 percent a 40-hour workweek, and 17 percent indicating a scheduled workweek in excess of 44 hours. It should also be noted that 42 percent of the institutions indicated that no extra compensation was paid for overtime work. Compensatory time off or straight-time pay is granted for overtime work in 30 percent of the hospitals. Eight percent of the institutions indicated that they paid for overtime work, with 4 percent paying at a rate less than the straight-time rate and the other 4 percent at a rate slightly above straight time but less than time and one-half. Payment for overtime work at the rate of time and one-half was reported by 13 percent of the institutions. Of the remaining 7 percent of the institutions, 5 percent reported paying overtime in the operating room only and the remainder stated that time and one-half off duty was allowed for overtime work. Returns from the questionnaire indicated that 59 percent of the hospitals had granted some salary increase since July 1, 1950. The cash increases granted ranged from $4 per month to $26.90 per month, with half of the institutions. granting increases in the amount of $10 per month or less. The increases ranged from 2 to 14 percent with half of the increases granted being 5 percent or less. EXHIBIT II SALARY DATA-TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS, DIETITIANS, FACTORY WORKERS, AND OFFICE WORKERS (WOMEN) Teachers. The estimated average salary for classroom teachers (elementary and secondary) for 1950-51 is $2,980 annually. (Source: National Education Association of the United States, Research Division, Advanced Estimates of Public Elementary and Secondary Schools for the School Year 1950-51, issued November 1950.) Librarians. The average professional library employee received $3,050 a year in January 1949. (Source: U. S. Department of Labor, Monthly Labor Review, November 1949, p. 529.) Dietitians.-Hospital dietitians living outside hospital quarters received annual salaries averaging $2,970 in May 1949. (Source: U. S. Department of Labor, Monthly Labor Review, February 1950, p. 149.) Factory workers. The average gross weekly earnings of production workers in March 1951 was $64.36. The factory workweek average 41 hours. (Source: U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hours and Earnings, Preliminary Release, March 1951, released April 20, 1951.) 1 Hourly reate computed on the basis of a 40-hour week. SOURCE: U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Salaries for Selected Office Occupations, mimeographed releases (preliminary). EXHIBIT III [Reprinted from the American Journal of Nursing, vol. 50, No. 7, July 1950] PROVIDING HEALTH PROTECTION FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE 1. Participate actively with allied groups to meet the health needs of the country, and particularly the needs for nursing care. 2. Establish national organizational structure for effective action in nursing. 3. Continue to plan with the National Security Resources Board for health care in times of emergency. 4. Promote nursing in prepaid health and medical care plans. 5. Support accreditation of programs in nursing education by the profession to protect the nursing student and the public. 6. Promote State licensure for all who nurse for hire. 7. Increase the supply of competent nursing personnel through such measures as improved recruitment of students, improved and extended educational programs, professional counseling and placement. AIDING NURSES TO BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE AND MORE SECURE MEMBERS OF THEIR PROFESSION 8. Promote Federal, State, and local financial aid for the improvement of schools of nursing, for scholarship aid, and for research in nursing. 9. Improve working conditions which directly affect the recruitment and efficiency of nursing personnel through strengthening economic security programs, using group technics including collective bargaining and supporting desirable labor legislation affecting nurses. 10. Promote a wider use by nurses themselves of voluntary insurance plans, and support the extension of Federal social-security benefits to all nurses. 11. Promote full participation of minority groups in association activities, and eliminate discrimination in job opportunities, salaries, and other working conditions. ACHIEVING BETTER HEALTH CARE FOR THE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD 12. Promote international exchange of students and teachers of nursing, and support programs for displaced persons in the nursing profession. 13. Cooperate in the development of professional nursing in the Americas. 14. Support the United Nations and its specialized agencies, particularly the World Health Organization through the International Council of Nurses. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mrs. Porter. Are there any questions? Mr. GAMBLE. I have no questions, Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. We are very glad to have your views, Mrs. Porter. They will be considered when the committee goes into executive session. Mrs. PORTER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Call the next witness, Mr. Clerk. Mr. HALLAHAN. John J. Gunther, representing the Americans for Democratic Action. STATEMENT OF JOHN J. GUNTHER, LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION I am John J. Gunther, legislative representative of Americans for Democratic Action. The ADA is an independent political organization founded in January 1947 and dedicated to securing economic security and political liberty for all people by democratic means. We reject totalitarianism in all its forms. I am here today to present the views of the ADA on the question of extension of the Defense Production Act. Scare buying, hoarding, and speculation since the Communist invasion of the Republic of Korea have forced consumers' prices up 9 percent and wholesale prices up 17 percent. During this period we have diverted only about 10 percent of the economy's output for national defense purposes. By the end of 1952, even with increased production, at least 20 percent of the economy's output will be going to defense needs. Clearly the full inflationary force of the mobilization program lies ahead. The present halt in the rapid upward spiral of prices is temporary and results from overbuying, over stockpiling by industry, and other short-term economic factors, such as the large Federal cash surplus, as well as the imposition of price controls. This temporary halt makes it possible for the Congress to act now to make certain that in the months ahead the American people are not made to suffer the tragedies of uncontrolled inflation. We all know what inflation means, but I want to point out a few of the major results from rampant inflation: The production of tanks and planes and other tools of war is disrupted by speculation and the hoarding of essential materiais. Wage stabilization is unfair if not impossible. Relations with our allies are impaired because their economic health depends upon stability in American prices. Widespread unrest and cynicism is created, particularly among white-collar workers, older people and others living on fixed salaries or incomes. Living standards are depressed in an inequitable manner. The value of savings and insurance are reduced. The adjustment after the emergency is over is made almost impossible. In short, a nation racked with the deadly fever of runaway inflation is in no shape to contend with the armed might of Soviet imperialism. Equitable sacrifices from every individual and group in accordance with its ability to carry the load is necessary to combat inflation. This requires a comprehensive program of both direct and indirect controls. A primary objective of the mobilization program is increased production. This will help meet the inflationary problem. Excess money also must be withdrawn from the economy to reduce the fuel fed to the inflationary fire. An equitable and effective payas-you-go tax program is essential. Personal savings must also be promoted. There are some who sincerely insist on the primacy of indirect or fiscal controls in fighting inflation. The opponents of price controls have seized on this and claim that only indirect controls should be used. This is economic nonsense. Neither direct nor indirect con trols can substitute for the other. Both are vitally needed. The price line can be held. Many prices can be rolled back. Those who smugly proclaim that higher prices are needed to promote production are merely creating a smoke screen behind which vested interests can rack up extortionate profits. Those who complacently maintain that more inflation is inevitable are selling America short. They are betraying our fighting men and women and the ideals that made America great. Confident that our production goals can be met without putting our country through the wringer of inflation, we propose the following minimum legislative program: 1. The Defense Production Act which expires on June 30 should be extended for two more years. Congress should reject the pleas of the special interests to exempt their various commodities or to include formulas which would operate to give inequitable price increases. 2. The DPA should be tightened in the following ways: (a) Provide cost-of-living subsidies to keep prices down and at the same time guarantee parity for farmers. (b) Provide subsidies to increase production of marginal producers of scarce commodities without raising over-all prices. (c) Control of residential and commercial rents. (d) Use of grade labeling as a protection for price ceilings. (e) Regulate commodity speculation. (f) Eliminate the present exemption of public utilities. (g) Provide for the maintenance of low cost lines. (h) Provide for aid to assist new and independent business to play a greater role. (i) Strengthen enforcement powers, including licensing. 3. Congress should investigate price profiteering and chiseling with as much vigor as has been used in probing subversion, gangsterism, and corruption. We believe that congressional committees should not be used as springboards for anti-stabilization forces. 4. Immediate action, instead of present delay, is needed on these other key aspects of mobilization. (a) A progressive pay-as-you-go tax program based on ability to pay. (b) A defense housing program, which is of vital importance, if defense production is to be increased. (c) More loan funds and Government construction authority to increase the supply of critical items such as steel, aluminum, electric power, fertilizer, farm machinery, freight cars, and so forth. I appreciate the opportunity which your committee has given me to appear here today on behalf of Americans for Democratic Action. |