The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-07-03
CHANGE URGED
TO LIBERALIzE
ACE PENSIONS
Otto p. 0eIUSe Emissions
Opportunity to Aid
Social Security.

The goal Of President Roosevelt in
creating social SECURITY for the peo-
PIE Of America can be furthered at
the 1885 session Of the Indiana leg
islature by amendment OF the old
age pension law 10 provide adequate
relief, II was pointed out today BY
Otto P. Deluse.
Mr.. Deluse, for many years an
old age pension advocate. Is a
former national president Of the
Fraternal Order Of Eagles. secretary
OF its national pension commission
and chairman OF the Indiana COM
mission.
Reviewing the application Of In
diana's pension law, which became
effective Jan. of this year, he
stated some counties are paying the
maximum of SIS monthly. but
others have fixed the pension as low
as 50.
He cited the case OF an aged hus-
band and wife IN a northern In
diana county. both OF whom are
cripples. who were granted only $3.50
a month.
Such pltifully inadequate al
l0Wances can not give that security
intended by President Roosevelt. ''
Mr.. Dcluse declared.
He continued.
The 1888 legislature must
strengthen the pension law IN a
manner that VIII compel county Of
fiCials and tax adjustment boards to
carry out the intent and purpose Of
the statute. That is a goal of high
endeavor to which every citizen can
we'll address himself. We must
drop the idea that the pension sys-
tenn is charity. rather it is a means
Of giving justice, the payment by So
Ciety of a lust debt Il owes those
who in most cases have contributed
their health. strength and skill to
producing wealth and who have in
most cases been taxpayers over long
periods Of years.
Condemns Meaccr Aid
Let us bear IN mind he said
that many aged are in want today
through loss Of money IN banks.
building and loan associations and
other financial institutions. and
even If physically sound, they are
not wanted IN modern industry.
Theirs is a plight that is pitiable to
the extreme and We should point a
finger Of SCOrn to those county Off
Gals who fail in their duty to make
Indiana's pension law a real help
to destitute old men and women
He called attention to recent
court action in Grant county. where
officials we're compelled to increase
a $4,000 pension appropriation by
$4,000 with the statement. that
10 should not be necessary to force
payment OF a Just. legal obligation
and TO make real a theory TO which
men OF all political beliefs. creeds
and classes SubSCribe-that no COM
mUnity calling itself civilized can
scrap old men and women like so
much Junk"
Urges Closing POOrhOuSes
Pointing out that half the pen
sion cost is returned to counties
by the state. Mr.. Deluse stated that
Governor Paul V. McNutt repeat
edly has declared that the state
viii not falter IN its obligation.
1T is high time" Mr.. Deluse con-
tlnued. that we replace pittances
with real assistance in our philoSo-
ply of social welfare. and at the
earliest moment possible close the
nInety-twO extravagantly operated
and miserable pOOrhouseS in Indi-
ana. replacing them with four or
five properly located institutions for
the care of those who through ply
steal or mental disability require
institutional care.
In conclusion. Mr.. Deluse said:
In the absence of a complete
survey, II is estimated that oe-
tween $4,000 and 10000 aged poor
in Indiana have qualified and now
are receiving small pensions. These
persons have been taken off the
charity rolls and they have been
relieved of the haunting fear and
the stigma Of pauperiSm and spend
ing their few last years in the
u00rhOlSr