The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-05-29

! In our state there are one hsndred
twsnty-0ns poor houses representing
an Investment of one million, one
hundred eighteen thousand. ninety
/ FIVE dollars. Eight hundred sixteen
persons we're committed to these in
situations Last year; three hundred
fifty-one of them on account of help
less old age. The average cost per
inmate Was five dollars and eighty-six
cents per week, not including over
head and investment charges which
amount TO more than one dollar and
City cents, or a total expense of sew
en- dollars and thirty-six cents per
week for each old man or woman sup-
ported in our aims houses or one
dollar and thirty-two cents per week
per inmate more than 1t would cost
TO care for these unfortunate souls
thru the provisions of the proposed
act which limits the amount to TWEEN
ty-five dollars per month for those
who have attained the age of sixty
five years, one-half of which is paid
by the municipality where applicant
has a legal residence.
Take from our poor houses those
dependents who have been forced
there on account of old age, num-
Der representing more than forty per
cent of total commitment, and our
towns could liquidate an investment
of nearly one-half million dollars by
dsposing of these Anticipated and OBJ
solete homes, a saving in interest
money equal to entire appropriation
provided in this resolve.
.
lied inmates of the aims houses there
are many more citizens who in the
fullness of their strength were proud
and useful men. that today stand at
the threshold of life Inundated and
tortured with the prospects OF filling
a pauper's grave.
Let me read one of many letters
which | have received during the past
few months concerning this subject;
~ am seventy-two years OF age,
born in the city of Auburn and spent
my life there and in Lewiston, my
husband being a dentist there all the
years of his business life. We own
ed "a modest home at the time of his
breakdown and illness, resulting in
paralysis from which he never re-
covered mentally nor physically, liv-
ing for nine years. In the meantime
was Obliged to sell our home and
bought very small one at Turner
Center, which | now own, on which
of course have always managed TO
keep the taxes paid. Have spent all
the time there l possibly could, but
have been obliged to spend part OF
the time away to earn money to Keep
the expense of this little home. |
have wanted to feel that | could call
SOME place home. Have often thot,
did have very little income |
could enjoy my own little home again,
with garden and chickens. For re-
ferences I can refer you to such men
as George c. Wing, Congressman
Whites father, and Judge Newall OF
Lewiston. do hope that | may be
considered should your kindly inter-
est in the elderly residents of the
good old state of Maine prevail"
This morning I read in the head
lines of our papers over nine million
dollars spent for public recreation
last year, appropriated by our towns
and cities. When | think of the
contents of this letter and of the sig
nificance of this amount of money ap-
propriated for pleasure, when think
of the extravaganza on the one hand.
and on the other we say to that poor
old women. you starye to death or
20 to the city farm. J. have no words
with which to describe such pic
ture, a condition that should bring
shame to every American citizen.
The enactment of this bill would
not create a commission or incur adj
ministrative expense as is so common
to measures of this nature. Not a
single person could obtain a pension
without the approval Of the Governor
and Council, md the tax burdens
would not be Increased a penny, for
our towns and states are already
taxed to support needy citizens. 1t
would simply replace our inhuman
laws governing the care of unfortu-
nate persons with economic and pro-
gressive legislation founded and