New Britain herald., 1927-06-04
OLD-AGE PENSIONS IN SIX STATES

The ITdterndI OFQef or Eagles mas been battling for old age pensions for many years. Whenever a legis- latur meets the Eagles are "on the job." They have been at It ill Connecticut, but with scarcely any results other than the propaganda incident to having their bills. or old age pension bill that they favored. reported on in committee. Reports so far have been uniformly unfavor- able. That has been the history of the movement throughout all of the New England states, except in Mas sachusetts. where the issue has been brought to a vote and nearly won.
 But there have been some suc- cesses. Six states and the territory of Alaska have throwh protecting arms around the dependent and worthy aged. The Eagles are justi- fled in thinking their efforts have not been entirely in vain.
 The latest state to enter this cate- gory Is Maryland. Its old age pen- sion law went into effect. on June 1. having been passed by the last legis- lature and signed by Governor Ritchie. Maryland is regarded as "conservative state" whatever that may mean: but in advanced legisla- tion 1t usually is found on the band wagon. sachusetts regarded as the leader in New England respect ing "untried and novel' legislation, has on several occasions gone far In the support of an old age pension law. and in all probability it will be the first state in New England to adopt the legislation. assuming that at recurring meetings of the general court the issue will continue to be pressed.
 The six states which now have old age pension laws are Maryland. Wisconsin. Kentucky, Montana. Nevada and Colorado: and the ter- ritory of Alaska.
 How these laws were brought about can be determined from the history of the movement in Mary land. It was in 1924 that the Eagles brought forth their first Model Old Age Pension bill in that state. The bill died in committee. But the Eagles are accustomed to this result after a first effort. It was brought forth during repeated meetings of the legislature, the public mind got to the issues involved, the public was "educated" to the value of old age pensions. and despite the earlier opposition from conservative people who saw in it another attempt to raid the public tax till, 1t gained headway steadily until the bill was passed this year. Governor Ritchie. one of the out standing governors in the Union, it long and carefully be- fore his signature to the bill. which is modelled after the Wisconsin county option law. Finally he said, Tt gave me the most genuine pleasure to sign this bill which en- ables Maryland to guard against poverty in old age. I do not dis count for a moment the splendid value of our state institutions. They are necessary I know but they ought not to be resorted to when and a more practical way can preserve unimpaired the self respect of people who have devoted their lives 10 constructive work with no opportunity to become independ- ent Of others. The old age pension furnishes an alternative which does that. IL fulfils societys obligation considerably, effectively and hu- namely"
 In Connecticut. where the Eagles have not yet convinced the legis- lative powers of the value of the plan, the testimony of Governor Eitchie might be Illuminating. In due course of time as progress continues to register throughout the nation, all the states will possess such laws. A good idea cannot be doWnod
 CONSTITUTlONALITY OF
 FLEXIBLE TARIFF