Evening star., 1934-01-23
.0LD-ACE PENSIONS,
ALLEY CLEARANCE
b|[LSAREFAV0RED
Subcommittee of House D. c.
Group Will Report To.
morrow.
6O-YEAR Minimum AGE
Is FIXED BY MEASURE
Capper- Norton and Black Proposals
Center Of Debate-Sium Prof.
ect Is Not Opposed.

AStiOll Woo UdhCu w tliC oubNOuuluI-
tee after the close of a Commute hear
ing which was occupied almost entirely
with the discussion Of the merits Of the
three old age pension bills proposed for
the District. The debate, however, CEN
tered chiefly on two of these measures
the Capper-Norton bill and the meas
ure sponsored by Representative Black,
Democrat, Of New York.
The Capper-Nprton bill would pro-
vide for each qualified INDECENT in
the District over so years of age q
pension Of not more than SO week,
including income from other sources.
The Black bill fixes SO as the mini
mum pension age, and prescribed an
allowance to meet the individual need.
Indorses Black Bill.
The committee heard q half dozen
Sentiment was about equally divided
on the Capper-Norton and the Black
measures.
The Black bill was indorsed by Mrs
Richard Hogue, secretary OF the Citi-
Zens' Committee on old age security.
She said her organization had drafted
the bill which Black introduced in the
House and Senator Copeland of New
York in the Senate.
Mrs. Hogue explained the major diff
ferences between the Norton Capper bill
and the Black bill. She pointed out the
Black measure would leave the admin
istration Of the pensions to the Board Of
Public Welfare, while the Capper-
Norton bill would impose this function
on commission appointed by the
District Commissioners.
She explained that the minimum pen
sion age of 68 as fixed in the Black bill
| corresponds with the pension age in
the Government service. Her organiza-
ton. however. would be willing to COM
promise on lower age, ranging between
go and 68. she said.
Mrs. Hogue said her organization had
undertaken survey in four carefully
selected sections of the districts to as
certain how many old people would be
eligible to receive pensions. The survey,
however, would not be completed for
several days, she added.
Per Capita Cost Lower.
She stressed the need on pensions
for old persons by citing the increase
in population at the Home for the Aged
and Infirm at Blue Plains. as well as
increase in the private charity homes.
She said the population at Blue Plains
| jumped from 456 in 1880 to 702 in 1888
In private charity homes, she explained,
the number increased from 725 in 1929
to l,442 in 1882
Mrs. Hogue estimated the per capita
cost of maintaining the old persons in
public institutions amounted to about
s38 month, whereas under a pension
system the cost would be approximately
$40 a month.
Endorsement was given the Black bill
by James F. Duhamel of the ASSocia-
ton of Oldest Inhabitants of the Dis
trlct OF Columbia and a delegate to the
| Federation of Citizens Associations. He
said the civic organizations in Wash
ington had favored old age pensions for
a number of years, but had recently
been embarrassed by superabundance
OF proposed legislation on the subject.
He said he was opposed to reduction
in the age limits for pensioners under
6S years. as provided in the Black bill,
because he believed lower age limit
would be unfair to the District tax
payers.
The American Federation Of Labor,
represented by w. c. flushing, Endorsed
the Capper-Norton bill. He said the
Federation opposed the Black bill be-
cause 1t feels the administration of pen
sions should be placed directly in the
hands of the Commissioners instead Of
oOA1lC COllullloSlOIl.
Favored by Two Groups.
flushing said the organization IA
vored the Capper Norton bill also be-
cause it provides pensions for persons
who have reached the age of so, whereas
the Black measure fixes the minimum
age at So. He added he felt that while
many men at 60 would be physically
able to work. the opportunities for en-
ployment are denied men at this age.
Evan H. Tucker. representing the
Northeast Citizens Association and the
Associated Charities told the committee
both organizations had Endorsed the
principle of the Black bill. He pointed
out administration Of the pensions un-
der the Black bill would be under the
Welfare Board. an agency already in
existence, which has the machinery set
up for that function
The Capper- Norton bill also was in
dorsed by E. Claude Babcock, president
of the American Federation of Govern
ment Employees, and Frank j. Coleman
Of the Washington Central Labor Union.
Slum Bill Is Unopposed.
Babcock declared the age at which
Government employees are leaving the
service is decreasing rapidly and for
that reason he favored the lower pen
sioning age as provided in the Capper-
Norton bill
No opposition was registered to the
slum clearance bill. Walter L. Fowler.
assistant corporation counsel, explained
the former Board of Commissioners. as
well as the present board, had favored
this measure, but that Budget Director
Douglas had recently declared that it
was not in accord with the financial
program of the President, because it
would make available $500 900 of the
unexpended balance of the corporate
funds OF the United States Housing
Corporation to begin the program.
Thomas S. Settle, secretary and le-
gal adviser Of the National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, told the
committee, however, that q proposed
amendment had been sent to the Bud
get Bureau. It would give the Presi-
dent authority to expend the $500, 900
fund Of the Housing Corporation. or
any other unexpended fund available
to begin the program Of alley clearance.
He said the commission also planned
to borrow 100000 in addition from
the Reconstruction Finance Corpora
ton for that purpose.
| Wilson Favors Bin.
Settle told the committee Il Is de-
sirable to start the program now be-
cause 1t would relieve destitution by