Evening journal., 1921-02-09
MORE PENSIONS
FOR MOTHERS
Commission Asks Legisla-
, ture to Sanction Increase
y in Appropriation
l67 AIDED, 81 NOW
ON WAITING LIST

Nouuty VINO desire ala unuer the
mothers pension law, the Mothers
Pension Commission submitted its
report for the year 1920 10 the
Legislature today. The report
shows there are 167 persons now
receiving pensions under the law. OF
whom 81 are in New Castle county;
26 in Kent county and 54 in Sussex
county.
There is an average OF seven ap-
phcations a month for pensions in
New Castle county.
The commission asks the Legisla-
ture to make possible the expendi-
ture Of S37.5OO annually for PEN
sions, instead Of s25. 900 as at pres
ent. Under the law the State ap-
Dropriates one-half and each coun-
~ one-half OF the pension fund.
New Castle county desires to in
crease its fund from $4,000 TO
$4,000; Kent desires 10 keep it's al
lotment at the present figures. $500,
and Sussex desires TO Increase from
$500 to $4,000. This is distribut-
cd entirely for pensions. For ad-
ministrauve expenses the commits
sion asks for $4,000 year. The COM
mission in its report sets forth:
F'AtAMAAf Ar one OF 81 states anu
territories that give some form Of
regular public assistance to mothers
OF young children who are not able,
without aid, TO maintain and sup
port such children. This aid is
known in Delaware as The Mothers
Pension. The first law Of Mothers
Pensions was passed in 1917. amend
ed in 1919 and 1920. 10 meet in
creasing needs.
In the various States, amounts
OF pensions vary from those OF Sew
Jersey and Delaware, at the foot Of
the list, with 50 per month for one
child and IS for an additional child,
to that Of Nevada, which allows S25
4. per month for one child and SIS for
an additional one.
"In Delaware. pensions. may be
given up to the age OF IA. or until
the child can obtain a general work
certificate.
A mother with one child can re-
ceive 50 per month: a mother with
two children can receive $14 per
month; a mother with three chill
dren can receive s19 per month; a
mother with four children can re-
ieive s24 per month; mother
with five children can receive S29
per month; a mother with six chill
sren can receive $34 per month.
The new Mothers Pension bill
asks that it may be possible. when a
family's need requires IT, TO grant
fl2 per month for one child. and IS
for an additional child. That such
runs may be given. at the discre-
tion OF the commission. in cases
where a proper standard OF living
cannot be maintained without IL
Example: A widow with four chill
cten. all under 6; youngest, s
months. Woman absolutely tied
down TO the care Of home and chill
hren. Lives in a village. Cannot
get out to work. needed in the home
There is no demand for such homo
work as a woman can do and no
time TO do Il II there were. Children
,estless and nervous, require her care
tvery minute. Woman not strong
In this case. s24 is insufficient tC
Ipport this family; sac would b'
much more nearly adequate.
THE commission does not ask thai
lhcse increased amounts be the rule
but they be possible in cases Of nee
sssity.
I'VE are also asking that the scope
of the law be enlarged to include a
I needy grandmother who is acting as
mother to orphan children. undei
ouch limitations as safeguard the
giving to a needy mother. (Widow
ed abandonment. sick husband; un
able TO support children withou
aid And we ask that a prisoner
wife. IL left destitute. with small
children. and il a woman OF gooS
character. shall not be debarred from
he benefit Of this law.
\ THE above changes call for NOR
n money. The alarming icrease OF un
employment all over the State ha
caused acute distress in some OF owl
families. where i'm many cases u
wage earning mother or older chill
has been laid off, and the only in
come is the pension.
I'm New Castle county We have ha'
waiting list Of 81 names. New ap
plicants come to us at the rate o
seven per month on the average.
generous increase OF appropriation
I'm 1920 special Legislature took car
-bf our former waiting-list, then z
names. Of whom 50 were found 4
need aid. It is estimated that at leas
Il bne-half OF our applicants will b
found TO need the pension. on thi
basis. 25 now waiting will be founl
needy. 40 more in 1921 and 40 fl
1922. making approximately 100 fam
uies that ought 10 receive pension
before the 1928 Legislature meets.
IAN average family contains thre
children. This calls for s19 pc
month on the present basis, or a.
annual S22S per family. Muluplyin
nv 100 families. we have tota
need OF S22,SoO. before anothe
LEGISLATURE meets. One-third o
1 these will need the larger amount
Of s12 and IS per capita MONTH,
This means more than $4,000 moro
or a total approximately $4,000 pc
annum. We may look for some dis
continuance OF pensions. due to re
marriage, death, removal fror
State; and for some decreases, OWN
70 an older child becoming able {
work at IA. Let the $4,000 in exces
81 $4,000 stand for this (and IN
estimate Is over-liberaD, and W
stiu have a need of $4,000 per an
n0m. in New Castle county. by tn
end of 1929. This includes the $50
600 we are now spending, plus IN
additional $4,000. herein explaine,
Let IL be borne in mind that hi