The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-12-14
THE AGED IN FRANCE.
nstitutions Where the Venerable iyes
penden Are Cared For.


pendents Are Cared For.
For more than half century the
french Government has been expert
nenting with schemes for establishing
,ld-age pensions, the first act having
,een passed June 10, 1850. The plan
hen tried was not profitable, for the
government allowed investors five per
ent., which was more than it could
tself get, and the rate Of interest had
o be reduced. Shortly after the war
With Germany Gin 1873 tile number
t depositors had greatly increased, and
n 1882 there was a deficit of $S,40O,-
700. To make up this the Government
n 1884 made over to the Oaisse des
Retraites sum Of $56,874. 400 in Gov
eminent stock, the interest ON which
with small annual grant-amoun,-
ing in all to $2,515, 900, would, it was
calculated, meet past and futuye losses.
In 1895 the act at present in force
was passed, but the question is still
one that gives the Minister Of Finance
much anxiety, and it is not unlikely
that some future changes will be made.
at the present time deposits are re-
ceived from any person, regardless Of
|age, but the amount may not exceed
500 francs ($96.50) in the course of a
year. An account may be opened for
a child Of three years Of age, mar
led woman may deposit money with
,ut her husbands consent. At any
|age between fifty and sixty~fve Tor
|earlier in case Of permanent disability
to work. the depositor may claim his
annuity, which is calculated according
to the amount of his deposit and in
[terest and the probabilities of life, but
he annuity may not exceed 1900 francs
(231 .6O). An annuity not exceeding
800 francs ($69.6O) is not liable to seiz-
ure for debt. In rural districts the
taxgatherer is empowered to receive
deposits, and in many factories GER
tain percentage is deducted from the
wages and paid to the Caisss in the
wOrkman's name. A branch of the
Caisse may be founded in any town or
village, with the permission Of the
9refect of the department, aid there
are about 23O0 of such branch IS, with
nearly 100000 depositors.
There are several large institutions
for the care Of the INDECENT aged. Some
of these are free, and at others a Ger.
tain charge is made for board and
lodging. The free ones are: Bicetre
for men only, including $40 lunatics
and 200 idiot or eplleptic caildren),
1894 beds; Salpetriere (for women),
1891 beds; incurables (men and won.
EN-, 2147 beds; Brevannes Gncura bles),
! 100 beds; Hospfce Lenoir lover seventy
years Of age or incurable), 1s;2 beds
Brezin IA private foundation for per
sons in iron trade only, $50 beds.
There is an institution known as the
"Menages," at Issy, near Paris, fol
widowers, widows, or married couples
Of whom both are over sixty-five years
of age and who have been married al
| least fifteen years. Single persons pay
$50 francs ($4S.25) year for board and
lodging; married couples 800 francs
| ($57.9O) each, including separate bed
| rooms. There is accommodate ion FOL
1461 inmates. At the La Rochefou
cauld Hospital charge is also made
of $50 francs &iS.25) for old people
who are in tolerably good health, and
312 francs ($6.22) for those who have
lost the use of limb.
There are many small institutions
| founded by private persons for old Of
| ficials. at some of which the charge il
| as high as $3.50 year. Some religious
orders still shelter few aged persons
| either gratuitously or at a small sun
per annum.
| The aged are generally held in re
| spect, but not more SO than in tht
United States. ID