Views Differ On Welfare

Second Congressional District opponents Marvin L. Esch and Westori E. Vivian agree vast improvements may be made in the present welfare systm, but in the tradition of their political parties, clash over the proposed degrees of federal intervention. Addressing about 65 prsons last night, most of them Jaycees, Demoerat Vivian, who was defeated by Esch after serving one term in Congress, asserted that "anyone who wants to work should be certain of a job and a salary adequate tor supporting a family, even if the government has to guarantee it. "Studies show that federal output for job training programs should be increased from the present $2 billion to $8 billion to $10 billion. If it's not, we'rc costing society far more in wasted lives. After spending severa) months on welfare, mothers should be enlisted on training programs. It would be Detter to have them working a limited number of houxs per week than none." ïncumbent Republican Esch stipulated that the government can only provide the framework for job training and upgrading. "The whole community must be brought to bear on the problems of hard core unempJoyed individuáis. This is the crucial year for deciding whether we are to perpetúate the piograms of the 1930's or accept new ways of helping each citizen, through total commumty action, become a creative member of society." Both candidates agreed that, as Esch put it, "promises have been made to individuals in the ghettoes that haven't been filled. Dissidents and militants are using the unrest." Said Vivian, "Too many are receiving a 12th grade diploma and realizing they have nnlv eighfe grade skills. The kids know they've been had." "Welfare allocations should be based upon the eligibility of the child," Vivia'n said at one point, "but it's impossible ti reach the child without goiná through the parent. A standard: of living should ' 'be maintainedij so that the chiild doesn't feelj like a target." He advised tile listeners to give "serious tiiiought" to the proposed negati'ire income tax, which "provides; incentives for work and pres ents the least amount of intrusión into the uves of recipien ts." Vivian related the problem of indigent southe] rners migrating their poverty to the north where welfare benefits ; are higher and educational pro, grams better. ín reference to ti lis, Esch called for uniform eligibility standards to discourage this mobilization and a uniform .national rate of ■_ejfare_allotmei :its.