The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-29
Old Age Pension BII Favored By
Senator Smith

The act providing for old age pen.
sions, introduced by Senator Smith in
the last legislature, did not come W
= Tor final action until very near the
close of the session. When it was
under consideration in the Senate. Mr.
Smith spoke upon the subject and
that body, somewhat at variance with
its usual custom, ordered 1000 copies
printed for the use Of the members
MIR. Smiths remarks and his attituds
upon this measure were In accord
with his well-known stand upon leg
islation of this character. The Dill
prevailed In the Senate by vote OF
20 to 6 but was defeated in the House.
His speech follows:
Fellow Members:
1t seems little out of order for
me to use time that is so much need
ed during the sunset of this LegiSla-
ture, and had | not refrained from
taking part in many discussions dur
ing the past three months and if the
pending bill did not merit careful at
fention | would not now intrude. But
since this measure concerns the well
fare of many unfortunate men and
women of our state. whose very
to the younger and stronger of their
race, 1t may be only fair for us to
give this question careful and
thoughtful consideration, for wher-
ever the sun may cast It's rays or
light, human beings alike must come
face to face with this uncertainty in
the journey of their existence.
From time immemorial kingdoms
and nations have been confronted
with the problem of how to provide
for helpless old age, humanely and
economically, for each succeeding
year has revealed a larger number OF
aged persons who have lost in lies
uneven struggle and through uncon-
trolable destines are dependent up
on the mercies and charities OF others.
Methods pursued In dealing with
this issue, have varied and improved
In keeping with the progress of man.
Legend has it that in primeval days
old men were placed in trees and
after singing "The Fruit is Ripe"
they were shaken down and dubbed
to death.
When comparing this ancient prac-
tice with the modern pension sys-
tenn OF Europe IL is not difficult to
realize that while civilization may ebD
and flow the character of men moves
on without retrogression.
II would appear that foreign coun-
tries have been more acute to the
Sustice of alleviating the horrors or
feeble years; more responsive 10
those ideals that would make old age
a distinction and privilege, for
nearly all civilized nations in the
world except our own. have long
since provided pensions for their ola
men and women who are unable 10
care for themselves.
1t Is almost unthinkable and in
conceivable that In this land OF plen-
ty with its generous hearted and pup
lie spirited citizens, that ours Is the
only nation that says to her wage
earners Keep up your work as long
rs you can, as long as you are able
to produce, and when that time has
passed we shall discard and scrap
YOU siust as we do the machines upon
which YOU work when they have out
hved their use" Yet we need not
be dismayed, the conscience of the ma
zion is slowly awakening to vision
not measured by the rim of sill yer dol
lar, for eighteen Of our states though
their Legislatures are either consid-
ering Old Age Pension bills or have
appointed commissions to devise some
method to better care for those In
need. The Governor of Massachu-
sets asked for a pension fund OF one
hundred thousand dollars. Last
Friday the state responded to this
call by passing in the House, eighty
two to sixty -four, an Old Age Pension
bill almost Identical to this one under
discussion. The Governor OF New
York recently made a similar demand
and the Assembly almost unanimous
ny passed similar bill. Public
spirited men, broadminded citizens,
throughout our nation today are max
ing similar requests.