, 1934-12-16
The World
At a Glance
BY LESLIE EICHEL
Central Press Staff Writer

plan.
The majority Of the letters we re-
ceive pertain to that plan.
The writer OF this column be-
lieveS In an old age pension. There
will be one. But the Townsend
pension plan does not seem sound
1t might create more damage thar
good. For one thing, IL would not
~redistribute" wealth. 1t would. or
the contrary $50 il seems TO this
writer take still more from the
great mass OF people and would
further enslave the people to great
monopolies rather than free them.
The battle OF old age Is the same
as the battle OF preSent-day youth
lit is a battle for security Of all the
great mass Of people rather than
privilege for q few.
The giving of $500 a month BY
the government TO old people does
not strike az the roots OF our pre-
sent evils. In fact, IL might per-
petuate the evils OF today-until
youth. still shackled. threw off it:
ShackleS in great anger.
This statement may cause SORROW
TO the readers OF this column who
have bombarded the writer for ar
opinion on the Townsend plan. But
the majority requested a frank anc
honest opinion.
Some friends OF the writer's be-
lieve thoroughly in the Townsend
plan other friends look upon II
in horror. To those in favor We
say: 1T would be wiser for the
people to insist that their govern.
ment 60 into this great and neces-
Sary reform 20 the very roots thar
TO give themselves over to plans
that strike at no fundamentals
There can be no cure for the pre-
sent EMBELLISHMENTS through cure
alls or tonics. Only major opera
tons will save uS-and. i'm the pro-
cess. We nuts expect the loss OF
some Of us.
I'm our present WEAKNESS ii is on
ly natural that we seek a drug "a
provide rest and sweet dreams
but that may be the coma OF death
rather than the elixir OF life
Townsend Plan
The Townsend plan, evolved by
DR.. F. <. Townsend OF Long Beach.
Cal. is explained by Old Age Re-
yolving Pensions. It., Of Long
Beach, IA non-profit California
corporation. the sole purpose OF
which is the securing OF the enact
ment of this legislation:
The Townsend plan OF old arc
revolving pensions calls upon the
national government TO assume
this function: the function OF start
ing and maintaining the circulation
OF a large amount OF actual money
throughout the entire nation equal.
~ distributed az TO population
benetiting all classes alike.
1T demands the passage OF a ma.
tional law that will permit every
citizen. male or female. who has at.
tanned the age OF 60 years or ovel
and who Is not an habitual crimina
70 apply for and TO receive a pen.
sion OF 500 per month until deatf
upon the condition that ne take
oath TO spend for commodities OF
services the entire amount OF the
pension within the confine OF III.
United States during the current
month in which il Is received. anc
shall refrain from all productive
labor or occupation.
simultaneously, IL demands Z
law establishing a federal retail
sales tax calculated at a rate loW
on necessities. high on luXuriesl
Just sufficient to raise the money
necessary for the pension roll"
IL Must Be "NO"
Readers Of this column write In
great numbers that they have faith
in the honesty OF expression in thi;
column.
Thus. to the many readers who
have written In on the TOWNSEND
plan ESPECIALLY from California;
we can only say, II we are 10 speak
our true convictions:
we have not tn slightest faitf
in the Townsend plan. IL Is not
money turnover. or additional &C.
tual cash that will bring either Sc
curity or prosperity. In fact. II i:
4AhNAf w OAAAE viz VIII 4ke AA0AANA
will decrease in value and buy les.
and prices will rise for those least
able TO bear them. under this plan
The government bv all means
ought TO provide an old age pension
as well as unemployment and sick
insurance-but real security lies III
a man obtaining the wealth that Tx
himself creates. And the wealth
OF a government is no more thar
the creative production OF all il:
citizens. Even for the aged the in
exorable economic laws cannot bf
budged-thst which Is not created
cannot be spent.
1T is far wiser TO open the way
for youth to create wealth. il is fal
better 10 Stike at the root OF malad-
justment. If you do not, all vii
crash anyway. The way TO hope
the way TO the promised land ever
for the very weary. Is a more rugged
path than the phantaSmagoria 81
a Townsend plan"
DR.. F. z. Wright of the Carnegie
Institution SAYS the moon is a cold