South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-04-09

FRANK L. Herring
/ Within a radius Of SEQ miles. 100
/ 600 Instruments caught the speech
as Il was delivered II was the first
| speech so delivered by a northern
Indiana citizen and as a response
Mr. Herring on Saturday received
over so requests for more informa-
ton on his topic.
The address which went out
through the radio included these
statements.
We call our America an advanced
nation But in the matter Of pro-
viding decently for the worker grown
too old in useful but low-paid in
dustry. we are behind the other great
nations. and some lesser ones. This
has been partly because for a Ions
time in our history old age poverty
was not especially widespread. We
can no longer make that claim. To-
day there are millions among us
Of whom you, perhaps, are one
who face the prospect of becoming
at 60, dependent on their children
or inmates Of almhouses whose dull
depressing routine is worse than
death
Modern machinery with its re
morseless force and mercuess pre-
cision, not only shuts out from gain
/ ful vocation the failing eyesight, the
feebled nerve. and unsteady hand of
old age. but its intense strain during
the years Of vigor. brings these dis
abilities prematurely upon the hon
est toiler. Hence has arisen the de-
mand for a shorter working day. in
order that the working years may
be prolonged.
Again, universal experience has
shown that, except in rare instances
the remuneration of labor in the
years of a workers activity. is US
ually not sufficient TO meet present
necessities and admit Of a surplus
for the years Of feeble helplessness
In a majority Of cases old age has
10 depend upon outside support. This
may come in grateful care by chill
dren.-but for many individuals this
is impossible and in consequence re-
lief is found in public or private
charity. with its stigma of pauper-
I ism
The injustice of placing this de-
| gradation upon those who have de
voted the prime of life TO faithful
arduous service. has gradually been
impressed upon civilized people, Sc
that certain forms Of pensions have
/ been established in special cases 10y
both governmental and private en-
ployers. OF governmental provisions
| are the Federal pensions 10 the Army
and Navy and TO postOtice employees
stare pensions 10 teachers. and NUM-
cipal pensions 10 policemen and
other public servants in cities and
towns. A few private employer
railways manufacturing concerns
! and occasionally iudividuaIs-re
ward faithful service with retiring
pensions. But there remains in
civil life a vast army OF unprovided
for. WORKOUT veterans Of toll
Now. a pension is not a charity
any more than is a stated wage or
salary Il is simply a recognition OF
the fact that previous payments
were not sufficient as the full merit
( ed reward for efficient service rem
dered In fact the problem may be
/ regarded as a business proposition
stated thus Shall all wages and
/ salaries be increased so that barring
l rare misfortune every worker shall
have ample means not only 10 live
/ comfortably during his earning
I To- r7-4
1 cient 10 provide for him I'm comfort
when his working days are over
I IuasmuCh as comparatively few per
sons live beyond the age OF 70-the
allotted "three-score years and ten
lit manifestly would be far more
I expensive TO provide a sufficient
wage and salary increase for all
than it is 10 care properly for the
few who survive.
IN many civilized nations within
the last few years action has been
taken 20 provide for Old age depend
ency In II countries. compulsory
state-aided insurance has been es-
tablished But this does not reach
/ all classes. and is attended by many
/ difficulties in details. Four countries
I have provided for allowing public
pensions TO all passing a certain age
without accumulatinE adequate
means Of support. SO far this latter
has worked satisfactorily
The United States alone, IN the
civilized world. has made no move
in this direction, although IL does
/ pension certain OF its own employees
/ Perhaps the subject may be regarded
as belonging 20 STATE rather than
{ Federal Jurisdiction
In broad terms. the proposition Is
that all persons who have reached a
I designated age without having accu-
mulated sufficient 20 provide for
/ themselves. shall be paid an annual
sum sufficient 20 enable them 10 live
I in comfort snot as a dole Of charity.
I but as a recognized obligation OF rhe
\ STATE 20 the humble toilers whose
I poorly paid labors are the basis OF
I its prosperity
Commissions OF the Massac husetts.
! Pennsylvania. Ohio and Wisconsin