The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-04
An Ideal About a Law

SADIE. Finally law.
This is the story of the Old Age Pension
bill, now before Governor Leslie, upon whom
all the pressure of those who have neither
ideas nor ideals, who lack the courage Of the
crusader and who possess no talent Of states
manship, is being exerted to obtain veto.
Fortunately for the Governor, he does not
need the daring spirit Of adventurer into new
paths to find a real reason for approval and
every reason for refusing the timid sugges-
ton of those with pocketbook paralysis that
he veto this humane measure.
The idea in this country came from Frank
E. Herring, outstanding citizen of South
Bend, who turned it into an ideal of the
Eagles lodge, which at once transformed it
into the crusade; finally, after years, con-
quering crusade.
The idea is quite simple. Nations have
always recognized their debt to the soldiers
in wars, who, in their declining years, are no
longer able to provide for their physical
wants. Now it is proposed to recognize the
brave soldiers of industry, the men and
women who go through life contributing to
human comfort and luxury with their labor,
and arriving at the sunset, find nothing but
the bleak despair of the poorhouse as their
reward.
Which is the greater courage, the more
STURDY characterize man who finds his
hour Of glory upon battle field or the man
who plods away his years in the monotonous
task of industry? There is no need of COM
parison. Both serve.
While Indiana gave the idea and the ideal
to the nation, other states have been more
responsive in formulating them into law.
Three Republican legislatures within the
past year have made such pensions manda-
tory, and in those states there was no division
of partisan sentiment. No really important
question is ever settled on partisan basis.
Only yesterday the Governor of Colorado,
which has had the proposed Indiana expert
ment Of optional county pensions for eight
years, made it state mandatory law.
In signing that measure, at the very hour
the Indiana house was approving the prin-
clple, Governor ADAMS SalQ
"Old men and women who have lived
fifteen years in Colorado and who through
no fault Of their own, find themselves in des-
titute circumstances, deserve more humane
treatment than they now receive. 1t gives
me pleasure to sign this bill and to congratu-
late the Fraternal Order of Eagles on their
splendid work"
1t detracts nothing from the credit of
that lodge to say that many other organize
tons, labor unions and social societies, gave
their aid and support to the movement. No
group can ever monopolize any step in the
inevitable progress of humanity from the
iungles of barbarism to the lofty goal of the
brotherhood of man.
All progress has been fought by the timid
and the acquistive. These fear encroach-
ments upon their privileges. The old barons
fought the passing of feudalism. Monarchies
fought against free government. Slave own
ers fought against the liberation of human
labor from the bonds of involuntary servi-
tude. And in the end, each of these forces
found itself richer and happier by yielding
to the forces of progress and humanity.
If criticism is to be offered to the law as
passed, it is that much human misery may
still be bound by the red tape and illiberality
of the provisions of the bill. The criticism
can not be directed to the principle behind
the measure for it is merely a translation
into practical terms Of a commandment
given centuries ago that men shall love their
brothers as themselves, translation of that
commandment into terms of present day in
dustrial and commercial existence.
Personal credit should be given to Senator
James Nejdl, who has never been discour-
aged, never dismayed, in the nine ears that
he has fought for the passage of such bill.
His was the vision, his the courage, that held
him steadfast when the illusioned enemies of
the measure scoffed and swept him aside.
Those who pirate of dole systems and
charity fool no one but themselves. Here is
simple justice. Here is sanity. Here is
humane treatment for those who refuse to
die young.
The Muscle Shoals Veto
President Hoover has killed the Muscle Shoals
hx r1.,-