Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-07
OLD.ACE-PENSION PLAN
OF N. Y. NOW In EFFECT
Expected to Prove Boon to Elderly
Folk Who Are in Need
of Assistance.
of Assistance.

tana, enacted in 1928. For at least IS
years, however, the friends Of the cause
have been laboring, in season and out.
Pennsylvania has q law on this subject.
which was passed after much research,
but 1t was adiudged unconstitutional by
the Supreme Court. Arizona had sim
liar experience.
Security Laws in IL States.
The States which have old age Sc
curity laws are Massachusetts,, New
York. Maryland, Kentucky. wisconsin,
Minnesota, Montana, wyoming, Colo
RADIO, Utah. Nevada and California. The
Territory of Alaska also has an enact
ment
The States in which the law is really
in effect or partly so are Massachusetts,,
Maryland, New York, Wisconsin, Mon
tana, Wyoming and California. Mon
each and California, which began pay
ments on January /, has about 2.o00.
Alaska is dispensing funds from the
Territorial treasury. The other States
mentioned share expenses with the
counties.
There are localities in some States
which allow pensions on their own ac-
count. Altoona, Pa, for instance, de-
clares itself the first municipality in
the country to give pensions to its aged
poor, although the keystone State law
was repealed. In Delaware Alfred I du
Pont put 1,100 old persons in the State
on his own private pay roll.
With the exception Of Quebec and
Labrador all the Canadian provinces
have aged poor security legislation.
Germany First to Give Aid.
Germany, under law passed at the
urging of Bismarck in 1889, was the
first to give governmental aid to the
aged, She provides for a compulsory
insurance TO which the employee, the
employer and the government contrib
ute. The allowance becomes payable
to the workers at the age of 81. Great
Britain and France have practically
the same compulsory arrangement.
Forty-one nations in all have old age
provisions.
Among the populous countries of the
world. to quote from bulletin of the
association, "only the United States,
India and China remain today without
constructive national provision for their
old"
Strong efforts have been made in
Congress to advance the cause of old
age allowances, as well as the Legislatures
of the various States. Practically every
legislative body in the country has had
1T under consideration In some form
although only one-Sixth of the 40
States have put a law on their books.
Bishop Mcconnell Heads Association.
Most of the activity is headed by the
American Association, which has in its
membership persons or many creeds
and races. Its president, Bishop McCon-
nell, represents a large Protestant ele-
ment, both as a leading Methodist
leader and on account of his connection
with the Federated Council of Churches.
Among the vice presidents are the
Rev. John A. Ryan, a prominent Roman
Catholic OF Washington; Rabbi Stephen
S. Wise of this city; Mrs. Jane Adams
Of Hull House. Chicago; Mrs Mary K.
Simkhovitch, @. @. Birmingham and DR..
Haven Emerson.
The advocates of the old age security
allowances, to which they never refer as
pensions. seek to provide for those who
cannot be financed in their declining
years by other means.
Many railroads, for instance, pension
OLD employees, but only after the expira-
ton OF long term of continuous serv-
ice, such as 20 or 80 years. Compare
lively few employees continue In one
place more than decade. Policemen
and tremen receive pensions TO which
they have contributed at the expiration
Of 20 years service. Teachers get PEN
sions from funds Of their own creation,
although their organization leaves much
to be desired.
Relief is provided also for superan-
nuated clergymen by some denomina-
tions.
the aim OF the old age security spon-
sors Is to provide means for dignified
ana peaceful latter days for the Veterans
In the battle Of life who through cir
cumstances are without sufficient means.
and to do 50 without sending them 10
institutions which house all classes with
out reference to their previous history