The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-12-20
OLD AGE PENSION LAWS
Promoters Trying To Defraud Aged

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Persons-W Warning Issued
A warning was issued today by
Herbert r. O'Conor, Attorney Gen.
eral of Maryland, calling attention 20
reported schemes of promoters to de-
fraud aged persons in Maryland By
misleading advertisements and So
licitations in connection with the Old
Age Pension Laws.
Numerous reports and complaints
have been made to the Attorney Cen
eral that INSCRIPTIONS persons are
capitalizing the old age pension
movement by selling" worthless in
formation to elderly citizens of the
State. Mr.. O'Conor issued a general
warning to all citizens to beware of
these promoters and to obtain infor-
nation only from local relief agencies
of the county or city, in which the
interested person resides.
at has come to my attention,
Mr.. O'Conor said, that citizens in
different parts of the State have
received solicitations for funds
from persons who assert they can
furnish information by which ED
erly people may obtain old age
pensions. These solicitations gem
orally come by mail from outside
the State. In some cases elderly
citizens of Maryland have actually.
sent sums of money to these pro-
moters, asking for the informa-
ton which would help them.
Naturally they have heard nothing
further from these persons after
they had sent off their money.
81 earnestly urge the citizens Of
Maryland TO ignore such solic1ta-
tions received through the mails
from persons who have little or
nothing to offer. The only proper
way to obtain correct information
about the old age pensions is by
application to the County Welfare
Boards of the Board of State Aid
and Charities. Under the law
passed by the last Legislature
these county units are empowered
to administer public assistance
and general outdoor relief and SER
vice to families and individuals in
need, including the administration
of relief under the mothers assist
ance law, the administration of old
age pension relief, the administra-
ton of relief to the blind and other
handicapped and needy, and the
care of neglected, dependent, and
delinquent children, which care
shall include the rendering of pro-
baton service to Juvenile courts or
other courts having jurisdiction
over minors.
1.-THE above quotation is found in
Section (d) of Chapter $50 Of the
Acts of 1885.
"Thus it will be noted that the
only official source for information or
assistance in the counties of Mary
land is from the County Welfare
Board, whose services include not
only old age pension relief but othe-
social service measures, if and when
provided for by appropriation"
Mr.. O'Conor added that numerous
citizens in the counties had reported
that they had received printed mat
ter through the mails from Mid
western organization which stated
that for the sum of $.35 they would
send additional information on how
to obtain an old age pension. Sew
eral persons have sent in their $.35
but have heard nothing further, Mr..
O'Conor stated He also added that
National Organization operating
out of Washington is soliciting funds
or memberships" In this State in
connection with old age pension in
formation. He stated that 1t is UNI
necessary for Marylanders to pay for
this information inasmuch as it may
be obtained free of charge, officially
and authoritatively, from the local
welfare units.