The Department of Labor must have the staff necessary to maintain and service the increasing needs of the International Affairs Division. The Department must help in training labor attachés and other Foreign Service personnel in labor matters, supply the labor attachés in the foreign posts with current information in domestic labor developments, and respond to their numerous requests for services. In the opinion of the AFL-CIO, the international program of the Department of Labor is a sound one and deserves favorable consideration. The budget requested is a modest one in terms of the importance which these activities have for the peace and security of this Nation.

The AFL-CIO supports the international labor activities of the Department of Labor. The AFL-CIO is vitally concerned with the threat which Communist aggression poses to the peace and security of the world. We are familiar with Communist ideology and have learned through bitter experience that the Communists have as one of their prime objectives the capture and control of free labor movements.

The key tasks facing those formulating United States foreign policy include building up resistance to communism, and strengthening the living standard of the people who are in danger of subversion. These are tasks for organizations and people with training and experience, who have knowledge of working people and their aspirations, and of techniques for realizing these aspirations in a democratic way.

The focal point of activity in international labor affairs among government agencies has been the Office of International Labor Affairs in the Department of Labor, where an inadequate but experienced staff, under the direction of an Assistant Secretary of Labor for International Affairs has for years been assuming important responsibilities in the international labor field in support of the foreign policies of the United States.

In particular, I refer to the contribution of the Department of Labor to the United States Government's participation in the International Labor Organization and to the labor attaché program of the United States Foreign Service.

The ILO is a tripartite organization, labor and management being represented in its conferences and councils independent of the Government's representation. Through such representation in the ILO, we are familiar with the unusual opportunity which this forum presents as a channel through which the United States can express its story of the democratic way of life. We are able to cooperate directly with the workers of other countries on specific problems and to demonstrate to them how the workers fare in our free democratic society. The work of the Department of Labor in carrying out the responsibilities of the United States Government in its participation in the ILO is clearly in the best interests of the United States. We would all have much to gain in efforts to make the International Labor Organization a more effective instrument for the attainment of a better world society. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

Grants for hospital construction

Last year both the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations indicated to the Senate Committee on Appropriations that we supported the appropriation of the full amount authorized by the Hill-Burton Act-$210 million-for hospital-construction grants. Nothing has happened in the intervening period to change our position. The known needs of the Nation for hospital beds remains unmet. The President requests $88,800,000 of the $150 million authorized under part C of the act and $40 million of the $60 million authorized in part G. This program has demonstrated that the problem can be solved and that local communities will respond if appropriations are made available. We feel that Congress should act now to provide the full amount of the authorization.

Hospital and medical care

This appropriation provides for medical care of certain beneficiaries of the Public Health Service in 16 hospitals and 121 outpatient facilities. The principal beneficiaries are merchant seamen, BEC cases, Coastguardsmen, narcotic addicts, and lepers. The program had its origin in 1798 and has continued to serve the Nation well through all the years that followed. The request for

1957 proposes to continue operations at the 1956 level and the small increase provides for minor mandatory items. We urge appropriation of at least the amount requested.

National Institutes of Health

We are pleased to note that the President has recommended increases in appropriations for the conduct of medical research at the National Institutes of Health. Both the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations have in the past given strong support to adequate appropriations in this field. We believe that the President's request represents a welcome increase over present levels, but we believe that even the proposed 28-percent increase (from $99,113,000 to $126,525,000) does not fully meet the needs in this all-important area. We are disturbed that the proposed level still falls about $39 million short of the amounts recommended to the Institutes in November 1955 by the professional advisory councils to the respective Institutes.

We are, of course, very much interested in the President's recommendation for new legislation to provide Federal assistance for construction of medical and dental research and teaching facilities. The AFL-CIO will study these proposals and hopes it will have an opportunity at the appropriate time to comment specifically on the adequacy of the appropriation requested..

Assistance to States, general

The proposed reduction in grants to States for basic health services from $18,160,000 to $14,186,000 is difficult to understand. The continued increase in the Nation's population alone is sufficient justification for an upward trend in Federal support of these essential activities. We recognize that the reduction represents funds earmarked for poliomyelitis activities in 1956 but in view of other reductions that have occurred over the past five years, we believe that an increase in the President's budget to at least the level of the 1956 appropriation is warranted.

We also reccommend that the small increases requested in this appropriation for direct operations be allowed. The increases would be utilized for the following essential purposes:

Technical assistance to States.-A research study for the purpose of finding more effective ways of bringing health services to the local communities is proposed at a cost of about $100,000. The present system is based on studies conducted many years ago. New patterns of community life and new discoveries in medical science have made old methods inadequate and outmoded. Research and evaluation to determine effective ways of utilizing new knowledge acquired through medical research is long overdue.

Chronic diseases.-Chronic disease as a public health problem continues to grow in importance. It strikes all age groups, including millions of people in the prime of life. The problem increases with age and each year a higher percentage of the Nation's population is found in the older age group. The President's budget proposes an increase of $149,200 to intensify efforts to develop and introduce chronic disease prevention methods.

Occupational health. The amount of money provided by the Federal Government for research in occupational hazards and diseases is substantially less today than 5 years ago. During this same period there has been a large increase in the working population as well as an increase in occupational hazards. The proposed increase of $51,200 would be used principally for studies of employee health programs with the objective of developing plans suitable for extending coverage to more of the estimated 75 percent of American workers who do not have the benefit of such services.

Control of tuberculosis

We strongly support the requested increase of $297,000 for further research in the use of isoniazid as a preventive of tuberculosis. If the promising results indicated in experiments with animals can be verified in humans, the battle against the scourge of tuberculosis will have been won.

In our opinion, the total request of $6,375,000 for control of tuberculosis should be appropriated to continue to help the States carry on their fight to eradicate this scourge.

Sanitary engineering activities

The problems of air pollution particularly in the industrial areas of our country have become acute in the last few years. Little is known either about the extent

of the damage already done and the long-range effect on the public health, or about preventive steps that can be taken to protect the public against this environmental hazard. Meanwhile, the amount of toxic substance that is being poured into the air above our cities continues to increase. It is encouraging to find that the President has recommended an increase of $1,278,000 to help control this menace. We heartily recommend that the Congress appropriate the full amount of this request, including the small increases proposed for radiological health and milk and food sanitation.

Water-pollution control

The President's budget provides for a supplemental estimate contingent upon enactment of legislation to extend the Water Pollution Control Act and to provide for expanded water-pollution control activities which he recommended in his health message last year and again this year. The bill has already passed the Senate. Although the amount of the supplemental estimate to be submitted to the Congress in connection with the legislative proposal is not indicated, we assume that it will not be less than the $6 million proposed by Secretary Hobby at the last session of Congress. Over the last half century, urban population has quadrupled and industrial output has increased sevenfold with resulting increased discharge of various pollutants into our natural water bodies. There is every reason to believe that the trend will continue. We believe that the public health and welfare will be served by appropriating funds to combat the water-pollution problem.

Poultry program

It has come to our attention that only $25,000 has been proposed for the Public Health Service's poultry program. We urge the subcommittee to reconsider this proposal and make adequate provision for a properly financed program.

Poultry is one of the few major foods that is not under compulsory inspection for wholesomeness and sanitation. It is estimated that this item is responsible for about one-third of all food-borne poisoning cases reported each year. Because of this, Public Health has developed poultry inspection codes for States. and municipalities. To assure enactment and proper enforcement of these codes, the localities will need the expert guidance and advice which Public Health should supply. The proposed $25,000 could not possibly provide for even minimum staff and travel requirements.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Much stronger support is needed for the State-Federal program of vocational rehabilitation in order to accelerate the progress toward at total of 200,000 disabled men and women restored to employment and satisfying life each year. During fiscal 1955 only 58,000 rehabilitations were recorded. While this shows some improvement over the year before, it is far below the figure needed in order to bring our rehabilitation into line with the actual need.

Grants to States

All States will have had time to augment their rehabilitation efforts by the time the 1957 appropriations are available, as all legislatures will have met. Many of the States are making vigorous efforts to expand their work so as to help all who need help. Consequently, it is of the utmost importance that funds for the States be distributed on such a basis that no State which has increased its own appropriation for rehabilitation shall have its effort hampered by lack of Federal funds.

The President's budget includes a modest increase from $30,000,000 to $33,500,000 for grants to the States. This represents the minimum increase needed for a meaningful program. Because we believe that States should be encouraged as much as possible to extend and improve their programs above and beyond what they are doing, we urge that at least $22 million of Federal funds be appropriated for this program.

Grants to States and to public and private nonprofit agencies for purposes of expanding facilities and services should be continued, rather than allowed to lapse as presently planned. Local union members have contributed their labor in a number of instances to build or expand rehabilitation facilities for which such grants have been made and we are convinced that a continuation of this granting authority will be highly beneficial toward attainment of the goals set by the Congress in connection with the vocation rehabilitation amendments of 1954. We recommend that adequate funds be appropriated for that purpose.

Additionally, the program of special projects in research and demonstrations should be strengthened on the basis of its past success. Many rehabilitation problems will be solved through this means of acquiring greater knowledge. We believe that even the doubling of the present program, from $1 million to $2 million, as proposed by the President, is insufficient to do all that can and should be done.

Training and traineeships

Training of professional workers in the field of rehabilitation is essential if our Nation is to discharge its obligation to its disabled citizens; in all areas now there are shortages of skilled workers. The present program of teaching grants and traineeships for qualified individuals is a step in the right direction, but it is not an adequate step. We welcome the proposed increase from $2,075,000 to $2,750,000, but believe that even this figure is too low.

Salaries and expenses

States necessarily must have leadership and technical assistance in order to carry out the obligations imposed on them inherently by Federal legislation designed to increase activity within the States. This leadership and assistance can be properly supplied only through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. That Office has been hampered in its efforts by a lack of funds with which to employ and maintain the staff and services demanded of it. Greater support of the leadership at the Federal level will pay marked dividends in increased State effort. We believe that at least $2 million should be appropriated to the Federal Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for salaries and expenses during the next fiscal year.

Vocational education

OFFICE OF EDUCATION

The George-Barden Act, for the promotion and further development of vocational education is one of the most valuable programs of the Office of Education. The President's budget proposes a continuation of the $26,500,000 appropriation made for fiscal 1956. The AFL-CIO respectfully urges the Congress to increase this amount to $29,300,000, the maximum authorized under the act. With so many new entrants into the labor force, and with the tremendous needs for skilled and semiskilled workers brought about by the changing technology, the vocational education program is more important than ever. The Congress should not put any obstacles in the way of the best possible job which might be done in this area.

We urge, furthermore, that a sum not to exceed $10,000 out of the vocational education funds be earmarked for the financing of meetings and programs of advisory committees in vocational education as authorized under the GeorgeBarden Act. It is regrettable that these committees have not functioned for sereral years. The earmarking of this modest sum, we believe, will encourage the Office of Education to reestablish such advisory committees. We are confident that this will provide a valuable service to the cause of vocational education. Reporting services

We wish to renew requests for the earmarking of two special funds:

1. An amount not to exceed $50,000 for the gathering, compiling, and keeping of current data reporting the status of the teacher; tenure, salaries, pensions, working hours, classroom conditions, including teacher-pupil load, and related items.

2. An amount not to exceed $50,000 for the establishment of a nationwide system of current reporting on State and city educational legislation and administrative rulings. (The Office of Education makes only a biennial survey which reports data 2 years out of date.)

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

The end of the present fiscal year marks the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Federal law which helps protect the health of every family in the Nation. The AFL-CIO takes this opportunity to renew its strong support for the proper enforcement of legislation designed to assure the American people that they will be offered pure foods, effective drugs, safe cosmetics, and related protection.

Fiscal 1956 appropriations for the administration were slightly higher than for the preceding year, and the proposed budget for fiscal 1957 represents an

other slight increase--from $6,159,000 to $6,779,000. In our judgment, however, this still does not represent the kind of program to which the American people are entitled.

A citizens' advisory committee to study the Food and Drug Administration was authorized by the Congress. Comprised of citizens from every walk of life, this nonpartisan group came to the following major conclusions:

1. Compliance with all phases of the law is not completely satisfactory. 2. Satisfactory compliance can be obtained only if the Federal Food and Drug Administration and its functions are properly understood, supported, financed, and staffed.

3. The committee is firmly of the opinion that

(a) The scope and complexity of the present enforcement and regulatory problems, if dealt with inadequately, constitute a threat to the health and welfare of our citizens, and

(b) That the resources of FDA are woefully inadequate to discharge the present responsibilities.

The President's request for $6,779,000 for fiscal 1957 must be thought of as only one step in the direction of the kind of program which the American people deserve and which the advisory council advocates.

CHILDREN'S BUREAU

We note with deep regret that the President has proposed a continuation of the present appropriation for the maternal and child health program of the Children's Bureau. This level-$11,927,700-is the same which has been appropriated since fiscal 1954. In earlier years, the appropriation has been as high as $13,200,000.

It is difficult to understand why appropriations for such a vital program should have come down during a period when the United States child population has been rising so rapidly. In 1951, when the population of persons under 18 years of age was 47,853,000, the appropriations were $13,200,000-an amount equal to 27.6 cents per child. For fiscal 1957, the "under 18" population is expected to be 58,983,000-which would mean an average of only 20.2 cents per child.

Instead of improving this program, the President's program would mean further deterioration when viewed in light of growing population.

The AFL-CIO believes that the Congress should appropriate the full amount authorized under the Social Security Act-$16,500,000. Such amount would do no more than raise the per-child appropriation to a level approximating that of 1951.

We welcome the small increase in the budget request for child welfare services, but wish it were greater. On the other hand, we regret that there is no increase at all proposed for crippled children's services.

Mr. BIEMILLER. If I may, I would like to comment on some of the highlights of that statement.

This is the fist time that the combined organizations have appeared, and we are very pleased to appear briefly and make certain points about the proposed budget in front of you.

Our study of the proposed budget for fiscal year 1957 provides some grounds for satisfaction. It is our judgment that, in the areas of labor and welfare appropriations, the recommendations made by the President constitute minimum requirements and should serve as a starting point for your further recommendations.

Although these recommendations do include a number of welcome improvements, there are still a number of areas where we feel that still further improvement is called for. The following statement is designed to point out these areas as well as to comment briefly on our support for other recommendations.

Both the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations have in past years appeared before this subcommittee and stated their conviction that adequate funds should be available for the administration of our labor and welfare programs.