Professor Hamilton's Diary: Jan. 18, 1935

He observes a student debate; FDR sends Social Security proposal to Congress

Professor Hamilton had a packed day, teaching classes at Albright College in the morning and afternoon, as well as an “extension” class that evening. Then he caught the last part of a debate between Albright and St. Francis colleges on the subject “Should the Nations Prohibit the Shipment of Arms?” Very appropriate for those nervous times. He picked up some ice cream on the way home and enjoyed a bowl before going to bed.

The Reading Times had a front-page story about President Roosevelt sending the Social Security legislative package to Congress. This was not only the old-age insurance we are familiar with, but unemployment insurance, national health insurance and assistance to destitute women and children that had been a year in the making. The Social Security card pictured above was issued to my late grandfather Thomas Bruce Yandle Sr. in December, 1936. (I have removed the number due to fraud concerns.)

Paid subscribers can read on about what it took for Labor Secretary Frances Perkins to accomplish this monumental project.