Civics Lesson

A cluster of nuns settled among the spectators, and looked brightly around the old green and gilt hearing room. From the door, an aged Capitol policeman eyed them uneasily. The explosive Wagner-Murray-Dingell bill (national health insurance*) was up for another chewing by the Senate's Education & Labor Committee. Maybe the sisters should be warned, he thought.

It was already too late. As Committee Chairman James E. Murray, a wealthy New Dealer from Montana, be an to cuff critics who had called his $5 billion plan "communistic" and "socialistic," Ohio's arch-conservative Robert A. Taft fidgeted noticeably in his chair. Then, unable to stand it any longer, he rose.

"I think this bill is the most socialistic measure ever proposed seriously to the Congress," said Republican Robert Taft. "This committee is being run as a propaganda machine. . . ."

"That's a slander and a falsehood!" roared Murray. "You're just reflecting your general conduct on the Senate floor."

But Senator Taft would not down. Mildly he asked permission to announce his intention of submitting an opposition health bill. Murray rudely refused. Reddening, Taft demanded to be heard.

"I demand you subside," cried Murray. "You've been . . . impertinent arid insulting."

Taft tried again: "I intend to offer a complete bill. . . ."

"You can shut your mouth up and get out. You're so self-opinionated and so self-important."

Senator Taft suggested that the meeting be adjourned until Murray had regained his temper.

"No, I won't adjourn."

Taft swung toward the official reporter: "I hope you're getting all this, because I intend to take it to the floor."

"Don't take it down," yelled Murray.

"You mean the chairman refuses to take down the statements I make?"

Murray's fist trembled aloft. "I'm chairman of this committee and I want you to subside. If you don't shut up I'll get these officers in here to have you thrown out."

Senator Taft preferred to walk out alone. Their civics lesson over, the nuns did likewise.

* The Wagner-Murray-Dingell bill, introduced last November with President Truman's blessing, but roundly damned by the American Medical Association, would be financed mainly by a 3% payroll tax on salaries up to $3,600 (to be shared equally by employe and employer). It would cover the worker's dependents, would provide for: 1) family, specialist and consultant doctor services; 2) major and minor surgery; 3) maternity care; 4) hospitalization (up to 60 days a year per person); 5) dental examinations, cleansings and extractions; 6) nursing care in hospital and home; 7) eye care; 8) X-ray and laboratory services; 9) medicines. Also provided for: federal grants to states for expanded public health, maternal and child health services, and medical research.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.