The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-09-10
u. S. MAY HAVE old
AGE PENSION LAW
INVESTIGATION NOW BEING
MADE IN LAsoR's BEHALF BY
REPUBLICAN, CONGRESSMAN or
ILLINois-oLD AGE PENSION
LAWS LOOKED INTO.

old-age pensions in foreign coun-
tries have. been the subject of inves-
tigation by Rep. Frederick Lundin
Republican, Illinois), He finds that
they have proved. successful, and he
is hopeful that some such provision
for the care of the aged may be
made in the United States.
Other Countries Followed Germany.
Germany was the pioneer in the
movement" he says, with a law
passed in 1889, amended in 1891
and perfected in 1899. The present
law covers rs per cent of the popula-
ton, and is compulsory in many in
stances and voluntary in some. The
pension is granted UP to $3.50 a
year, according to class and weekly
premium paid. Beyond 20 years of
secure the beneficiary his or her
pension. .a
Denmark fell in line in 1891. All
persons over so years or age are eligi-
BILE to pension benefits, with certain
limitations as to residence, health and
record of citizenship.
New Zealand in Line.
Laws were passed in New Zealand
at intervals from 1897 to 1908, when
all of them consolidated to create a
liberal and enlightened system. Six
ty-five years is the pension age, and
to all those who are without a mini
mum competence and can show TWEEN
ty-f1ve years honorable residence in
New Zealand the government pays
$3.50 weekly. The cost per capita
of population is small. The benefits
conferred are great, and not only re-
dound to the benefit of pensioners,
but to that of society in general.
Belgium adopted an insurance
annuity and nationally sustained
pension act in 1900. Annuities are
granted according to age and amount
of premium paid. Pensions are paid
to all over SIS years of age under GER
tain prescribed conditions of want
and disability.
No Pauperism Created.
Italy, France and Austria are
operating systems of annuities and
pensions: Old-age relief is recognized
in these countries as an institution
of worth, and the system cannot fail
to grow with the advance of the
times.
Australia probably presents the
best example of growth and modern
ization of the old-age pension idea.
The general plan there is about as
follows: Men over SIS and women
over so are pensioned at the rate of
$3.50 and 81 a week, respectively.
Restrictions pertaining to income,
residence and character surround the
application of the law most effective
ly. / am In receipt of letter from
the American consul at Newcastle,
New South Wales. in which he says:
Tt is the general opinion that these
pensions are a very good thing, and
that these laws are working out sat-
isfactorily. In order to see for my
self the people receive their pensions
was present on the first of this
month and saw q large number OF
them paid. They appeared to be a
most respectful lot Of old people, and
/ feel certain the money allowed them
each month by the government is
judiciously expended
The English Law.
after years of consideration Eng
land adopted an old-age pension law
in 1908. Under its provisions all
persons over 10 years of age are pen
sionable If they meet the require
ments of regulations as to income,
habits and character. The amounts
paid run from rs cents to $1.25
weekly.
-
Canada Also Progressive.
Canada passed an. annuity law in
1908. Under II people beyond the
age Of So years may draw from $50
to $500 annually. 1t is a government
insurance proposition pure and simple,
and dependent upon premiums, but as
step it is encouraging to every be-
liever in the humane policy of max
Ing provision for old age matter of
governmental regulation