Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-02-14
HELP FOR AGED DESTITUTION


The Kansas City Star recently contained the
following Socialistic editorial;
"The old-age pension provisions made oy
various large corporations within the last year
are worthy of notice as showing the soclolog'
ical trend of public sentiment. 1t IS the De-
ginning of a movement the ultimate result OF
which will, no d. ubt, be that old age Will De
universally cared for. The need OF such
general provision is daily emphasized by the
sad instances of aged persons in distress.
'sThe Santa Fe railroad, an eastern snoe iac-
tory, steel corporation and other institutions
have recently provided tor the retiremen. Oh
their EMPLOYEES at the end of period OF twenty
ar thirty years service on allowances which,
while not large, are sufficient to keep absolute
want away. But, while private concerns are
to be commended for this just and humane
consideration of their employees, such sources
cannot be depended upon for the uniform pro.
lection Of TIE aged. This must be obta'aed, II
ever. through the general government.
"Already, several governments, notably New
Zealand. have provided old-age pensions IN
New Zealand where more than one progressive
;nnovation has been witnessed within the last
six wears, every person who arrives al inc age
of 6s wears is entitled to draw pension OF $50
a wear. provided he has resided in the country
twenty-five years. is of good character and has
not more than 81 700 worth OF property or an
income of more than IS week Ihls pension
;s BEING gradually increased as tie revenues OF
the government permit. 1t i pad ont OF the
income derived by the general governmt ct
from the public ownership OF the railroads.
telepraphs, telephones, express and insurance
companies. There are almost no taxes IN NV
Zealand. The reason the pension is not larger
is that the New Zealanders have reduced Ia'i-
road fares from three cents mile to one ceut'
saving the money to the people in this way in'
stead Of distributing it in the shape OF pensions.
"It the United States owned ITS railroads
alone, the annual net earnings OF $4oo 900 900
(the figures of New York almanac) wo"la
nav pension of $500 year 10 every tooth
reyeon in the country. And if the railroads OF
the United States were consolidated into one
system. as they would be under government
ownership. so as to eliminate competition and
other elements of waste and loss, the net earll-
mos. according to the opinion OF j. J H'll
and other mapnates, would be immensely IN
crrased. It might not be too much 10 say mat
a pension of $500 year could be PAID out OF
the railroad earnings alone to every hftieth per-
son in the land, and certainly the superannuat-
ed and iutirm would never be more numerous
than that. A million old persons coulc thus
be supported without the cost OF single penny
to the people in addition to what they now pay
to the railroads in fares and freight.
(which would be better-that 1000 1000
aged persons be provided for. or that few
Coulds and Vanderbilts should pocket the
xAoo. ooo. 900, as now? We retire army ofhcers
on half-pay; why not do as much for those
who have fought our industrial battles tor us'
Is not the work of production as honorable IS
that of desrruction2
UThe statesman who shall bring to pass such
a distributory plan will deserve to stand tore
most among legislators 1t was the ooas' o,
AUGUSTUS that he found Rome OF brick and
left Rome of marble, but how much nob'er
will be the boast of that statesman who shall
have it to say that he found old age dependent
and left it free; found it in restitution lett 1t
in comfort; found it the wreck OF early hopes
left it the time of well-earned rest; found IT !"
the almshouse, helplessly looking tor deaths
relief, left it in the enjoyment OF competence
with peace and contentment soothing ITS de-
clining years."