The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-12-05
FAvORS PENSION FOR AGED
Bismarck, N. D.
Dec. 3. 1894.

Editor, Tribune:
It was with much interest we read
the recent letter In the Public Forum
written by Sherman Hickle. Mr..
Hickle takes the stand that the for.
mer service man is more entitled to
. pension than Is the person who has
nothing but old age to recommend
him. But, why raise any distinctions
when the two cases are so at vari-
ance? They have absolutely nothing
In common, are as far apart as the
North and South poles.
Those advocating an old age PEN
sion are not asking this law at the
expense OF the former service man.
Surely We can afford both If we once
set our minds to 1t, and those spon-
soring both measures can we'll afford
to work In harmony and not against
one another. The ex-soldier has
richly earned his bonus. and we
believe the average citizen past 60
years old, also richly deserves con-
sideration by his government.
We cannot all fight on the battle
field. Some Of us must "carry on"
at home. We must keep the home
fires burning and the lights along
the shore trimmed and burning
brightly. We must raise the food
that sustains our fighting men while
they are protecting our country and
Its flag. Shall We say then, that
every soldier is worthy who served
his country well, or shall we put q
price on patriotism?
Soldiers Of fortune can be as brave
as soldiers Of war. And, while war
ends. those who fight day in and
day out in the daily battle for ex-
istence are sure to find that the strug-
gle endures as long as life itself.
The mere fact that We are giving
some consideration to the problem
Of old age pensions proves that at
last we are becoming at least partly
civilized. The United States today
stands almost alone In Its attitude
to its old people. Other countries
have for years made provision for
their aged citizens, while we have
left them to the tender mercy Of
charity and the poorhouse.
Who Of US has not, at one time or
another, thought Of old age with q
shiver Of dread and repulsion? Who
Of us wants to grow old? Is not much
Of this dread and repulsion due to the
fact that 50 few Of US have been able
to save the necessary money to care
for ourselves when We are no longer
able to work? Old age, In itself, Is
not ugly or repulsive. It should mean
the glorious harvest time Of life when
the golden sheaves have been gath
cred and stored away, the work over.
and resting period given q few years
before We take flight for our eternal
home.
But to how many Of US will come
this peaceful season Of contentment
and rest unless something is done in
time?
Look on the average old citizen Of
North Dakota today. Aye, even
though he may have been able to
save enough to care for his old age
bank failures BY the score have left
him fully as destitute a. those who
saved nothing.
Then there Is something else. No
one who does not know the actual
facts can honestly be the Judge Of
another. One may be able to ret
ahead while the other, no less worthy.
becomes . pauper. Sickness with its
incidental doctor and hospital bills
runs up into money quickly. Poor
crops, pests, hail and bad Judgment
can also cause heavy losses.
We believe in the Townsend Plan.
We have something to be proud Of
not only because 1t provides for our
old people but because it foresees
ana arranges for every emergency.
It would be the height OF folly to
pay . pension to old people and per-
nit them to continue working ct