Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-11
BY WILL r. KENNEDY.

Pensions as means OF providing
for the aged and dependent poor are
attracting increasing attention in the
United States. according to the Bureau
OF Labor Statistics, which estimates
that there are between million and
two million persons In this country I'M
need of aid solely because of the dis
abilities OF age. Only three States
Nevada. Montana and Wisconsin
and the Territory of Alaska had
adopted pension systems. however, at
the close OF last year.
Little attention was paid to this
question in the United States until
the present century & says the bureau.
THE first active step In connection
Herewith seems to have been the APP
pointment of a commission by Massa-
chusetts in 1907 to investigate and re
port on the subject. No action re-
suited from that report. =
Massachusetts,, which has a very
persistent champion Of old-age pen
siOns In Wendell p. Thors. made
another investigation eight years
later. In 1914 Arizona had made an
attempt to establish an old-age pen
sion system. but before it could be-
come operative twas pronounced UNI
constitutional on account of It's vague
ness Alaska, In 1915, passed law
carrying d pension OF $3.50 a month
for those Of IS years and more who
met certain requirements as to-
age, residence and character. This
has been amended several times and
still is in effect. 1t is the first Ameri-
can old age pension law.
War ReneWs Interest.
The war and It's effects renewed In.
terest In the subject, and a number,
Of State commissions was appointed
to investigate In 1923 Nevada, Mon
tana and Pennsylvania enacted old
age pension laws. In Ohio, the same
year, the voters on referendum re.
fused to accept such a law by a.
heavy vote. The next year, 1924, the
Pennsylvania law was held unconsti-s
tutional.
I Last year, according to the bureau,
there was activity over the issue In
many States. The Nevada law was
repealed and re-enacted In another
form. Bills were pending In Michi-
gan, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio. Maine.
New Jersey, Indiana, Texas and
Kansas. In Texas and Kansas bills
were favOrably reported but failed
to pass either branch of the Legisia-
ture; in New Jersey and Indiana bills
were passed by one branch but failed
in the other. In Pennsylvania the
Legislature passed constitutional
amendment to iegalize old-age pen
sions. Wisconsin enacted its law. The
California Legislators passed an act
which was vetoed by the governor.
In January, this year, the I.egisia-
ture OF washington passed an act,
but the governor killed it with veto.
Al commission iii Virginia recommends
ed passage OF law In that State,
while ID Massachusetts commission
handed In q divided report.
Progress Being Made.
Advocates of oid.age pensions are
thus making progress.
The Nevada law allows county com
missioners to pay pensions to aged
| poor when the commissioners con-
slider this method desirable. April
cants must be at least SIS years old,
Presidents of the State for 10 years
and citizens or the United States for
lbs years. The pension must not ex-
lceed an amount which, added to the
applicants income from all other
sources. will make the total income
$1 day. Funds are raised BY d
special tax Of 2 1s mills on each 800
of taxable property In each county.
The Montana law authorizes the
boards, which may pay not more than
$25 b month to persons who are at
/ least 10 years old and who have been
PRESIDENTS of Montana and citizens III
1.-THE United States for 15 years.
Oid-age pensions are also county
matters under the Wisconsin law, but
1.-THE state exercises some supervision,
las ii contributes 0ne4t bird the cost.
County boards may decide, BY d two.
/ thirds vote. I'd establish II pension sys.
tenn, which, after 4 trial Of d year
i ar more, may be given up II the
hoard so wishes. Appiica tions must
The made to the count Judge, who
orders such Investigate as he con.
siders necessary. IL he approves AZ