South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-02-18
HOW y MOTHEDS' PEN
SYSTEM WORKS.

S1SIEM NORINS.
So much has been said for and
against widows pensions that it is
interesting to have testimony on the
subject from one who has had eXpe-
rience with the operations of the Sys-
tenn. The state of Washington, has a
law providing for such pensions, which
gives authority for it's administration
TO the juvenile court in counties where
such court is held. The Juvenile court
judge of Seattle, in an annual report
lately issued, reviews the pension pro-
ceedings in his court in 1913.
a summary of the work shows is %
petitions received, 81 deferred and
dismissed, 25 pending on Dec. 81. and
petitioners granted aid, SO. The total
of the monthly allowances was ST.
O12.5O, making $24,150 for the year
The average monthly allowance was
S20.32; the number of women and
children who received aid was $50.
These figures are the more interest
ing because Seattle is near Indianap-
oils in size, the estimated population at
the end of 1912 showing the western
city TO be the larger by 10000
Such widely varying figures have
been given as the probable cost of
such pensions that this showing is of
value as indicating what might be the
outlay of this city should such a law
ever, been in force here. The judge
patience and discrimination were used
in dealing with the applicants and
that the special pension officer was
man of high character and marked
fitness for the duties. The success of
the law, he declares, depends TO a
great extent upon its administration
An opinion that has often been ex
pressed even by its warmest advocates.
The undeserving will apply, he says.
but reasonable care will detect them.
He adds that they have not had more
than three applicants whom he be
lieVed to be in any manner guilty OF
intentional fraud That the Seattle
judge thinks good administration pos
sible is indicated by his further COM
ment:
We would respectfully call to the
attention of those, il any. who may be
opposed TO the law the foregoing sum-
mary and especially the fact that 29l
children were enabled to remain III
their own homes, while under other
circumstances we do not know how
many would be placed out in foster
homes or in institutions, and we do
not think the monthly expenditure OF
$2,O12.50 in maintaining the ninety
nine homes will prove to be a serious
shock TO the taxpayers OF King cOun-
ty.
The report. as a whole, covers sub
IttlS lIlcA itAdht IL VI cRNN4eN'
social workers. indianapolis star.
THE FAITH IN PARTISANSHlP-
That former Pres. Taft thinks the
republican party should devote the
next ten years TO wiping Col Roose-
Welt and all he represents clean out
Of existence. is natural enough. III
would be lust like any of US to develop
a political philosophy of that sort II
We had undergone Mr.. Tafts expert
ences. Probably nine men out OF ten
who lose legs in railroad accidents
entertain the notion that the locomo-
tive is a terrible invention
Not only is it interesting to learn
Mr.. Taft's views on the mission OF the
republican party. as set down with SO
calm and judicial q manner IN the
Saturday Evening Post, but II IS Ias-
cinating to see how he handles votes
in great blocks and masses snlIts
them and marches them. deploys them
as skirmishers and throws them IN
resistless numbers against the walls OF
the opposition as Grant threw armies
against the defenders of Rlcnmoho.
One is 20 gather from Mr.. Iatt al :
ticle that he thinks democrats ana
republicans and progressiVes are eaCI
distinct and separable species IL
democrats sometimes vote republican
or republican marks his ballot IN the
column headed By the rooster, the
thing is against the laws of nature.
and. shortly the democrat Is as demo
cratic as ever. the republican as nrm
Is convinced as Of old as TO the sacred
ness OF his party's policies ana me
abominableness OF all other pollAcai
tenets.
probably in some parts of the south
PARTISAN distinctions have this look OF
being classiiable according 10 some
sort OF geological system. In this. MT
Taft's own home state, the average
man might be said 20 run the gamut
OF the ballot. We haven't IN years
come upon one Of these ! Ne-neVer
voted ANYTHING but the-repuOncah :
ticket citizens. or heard man boast
that his allegiance 20 democracy was
unmarried hv "A single falling from
grace. Unfiuctuating partisanship
10 become a rarity and j. strikes