The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-02

Connecticut to-day disclosed pro- gram of it's own conception for the relief of 13,998 dependent aged in the state in a comprehensive, 165- page report which, 1t maintains, is its answer to the old age pension bill to be heard next month by the legislative judiciary committee.
 Refuting the principle and prac- ticability of state pensions as un- association suggests an improvement and extension of the existing system by the establishment of a modified district plan assuring adequate in- stitutional facilities for all classes of dependent aged. Under this sys- tenn. the report states, towns and even counties could undertake joint programs which not only would mean. eventually, the abolition of unsatisfactory aImshouses, but the llospitalization of those mentally and physically dependent aged for whom no such provision now exists. .
 This recommendation, which is part of general report on old age dependency just completed by the as- sociation at it's own expense after a sixteen months study, will be sub. mitted to the general assembly. The old age tension bill of 1929. which sought a commission for such q study. was rejected by the legisla- ture with the understanding that the manufacturers association would make It's own survey and present it's report and conclusions to the pres ent session of the legislature. The Judiciary committee, therefore. will consider this report when 1t acts up-. on the oll age pension bill sponsored by the Connecticut Federation of Labor and~supported by the National Association fors.Old Age Security.
 Differ on Results
 While the Connecticut Federation Of Labor proposes a measure which would guarantee every resident. 65 years or over, an income of $9 a week and estimates that 2,740 pcO- p1e would be eligible to such q pen sion, which 1t asserts would cost the state $895.00O year, the manufac- jurors association contends that the federation has underestimatsd both the number of eligibles and the cost. The association reports that. according to the 1890 census, at least 13,99S of Connecticut's 93.- dependent and would be eligible for a pension. Therefore, the association maintains, under the proposed pen sion plan of $1 per day, the cost would approximate $5,109,270: un- der a $1.50 pension, the cost would be $7,604,9O5 and under e So per week cash assistance plan the cost would reach $6,551, ,064. These fig. ures compare with cost of $2,- 100000 borne in.1929 for state, town and county dependents under the tv.<A :. total capital investment of $6,- S2O,O00.
 The study. made by a committee under tho direction of President F.. Kent Hubbard discloses, according to the report. that the old age pen sion program cannot accomplish what 1t promises-the abolition. of aimhousns-or the solution of tine general LrobIem~c of old age depen- dency. The bill does not provide for the most urgent need of a large number of dependent aged, the re- port states; namely, disqualification because of physical and mental in- frmities, nor does 1t make provision for all classes of dependent aged.
 Inadequacies Found z
 The committee, however, points out inadequacies in the present sys- tenn, which, Is maintains, can be corrected if. public conscience and town responsibility are sufficiently developed. It refers to cases where supervisors and matrons are ap- pointed rot for fitness. but because they happen to live on a farm which can be converted easily into an aims. house. It mentions neglect and lack of interest by certain selectmen end regrets .he disclosure of in- stances in which town officials have refused to keep records or to CO., operate in other ways with the state department of public welfare which supervises, but has no direct control over the town poorhouses.
 While the report offers wide range and variety of information on the general subject. the committee admits. in view of the many con fiicting opinions. the meagreness of iEdisputaDle data and the lack Of reliable experience elsewhere to draw upon that it would appear that the time has not yet come when Connecticut could safely ven-a ture into the unknown in this re- gard"
 The association. therefore, sus- gests that the state remain In an ad- visory and not administrative capl- city, leaving the situation as 1t is except for the institution of ini- provemenrs which would bring about t modified district system creating adequate facilities which many towns are unable to provide now. |
 WOuId Have Towns