Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1935-02-07

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CONGRESS GOES TO WORK
OLD AGE PENSIONS
COSTS WILL INCREASE
OTHER SECURITY ITEMS
RFc MAKES $~e5,175,ses
WHAT 2 STATES BANKS GOT
PEEK FIGHTS HULL POLICY
Congress last week got down t
hard work, taking up the Social Sc
curity Program, and the huge unem
ployment relief fund which the Presi
dent desires. Besides, there wer,
continued Investigations OF the mum
tons industry and war prevention, a.
we'll as considerable debate ON tn,
world court adherence resolution.
The House Ways and Means Com
mittee began hearings on the Socia
Security Program and the Senate die
likewise. The members OF the com
mittee had before them for study the
outlines OF several rival plans for un
employment insurance and old age
benefits, including the well publiciz
ed Townsend Plan for old age relief
There was some sentiment to lib
eralize the provisions of the program
in regard to old age pensions, as
well as an ~undercurrent OF discon.
tent directed to the handling OF the
employment-making project by Sec
rotary Ickes. Generally, however,
Administration leaders expected to
be able to hold the measures In line
with the Presidents suggestion. AID.
vocates Of the bonus payment were
inclined to be somewhat FESTIVE be-
cause other matters secured legisla-
tive precedence and something OF a
mutiny against The leaders seemed
possible, although not likely for sew
eral weeks at least
The Presidents Social Security
Program included four distinct, al
though related subjects: ID unem-
| ployment compensation; (2) old age
| security; 90 security for children;
"a extension OF public health SER
vice.
DR.. E. e. Witte, Director of the
Presidents Committee on Econom-
ic Security, pointed out to House
members that the primary purpose
| Of his body a to furnish informa-
| ton, with the suggestion that prompt
| action be taten so that the legisla-
| lures OF fortyfour states, now In Ses-
sion, will be able to pass necessary
state Legislation.
Among otter things, Dir. White
told the congressman that the bur
den OF old ag pensions will increase
rapidly and enormously because the
percentage OF our population over
siNty-five yeas OF age Is becoming
larger, having more than doubled be
tween 1910 and 1880. This increase
he attributed to the declining birth
rate and the stoppage Of immigra-
ton He pointed out that the num-
Der OF children In the United States
over five years old, was smaller in
1880 than in 1920, and insisted that
the population Of the nation Is ap-
preaching sterilization.
The cost of old age security, based
on the records OF t~wenty-eight states
which include two-thirds OF the pop
ulation. and now have old age pen
sions, for the first year Is guessed
at anywhere from fifty millions UP
and increasing annually. In 1880 ac-
tuaries estimate that unless the ex.
pense Is cut down 1t will exceed a
billion dollars a year. This Is based
on payments OF thirty dollars q
month to those over sixty-five who
qualify for old age pensions, and
would be increased II the monthly
payment Is pushed up by Congress
sional action
Space this week does not permit
such an extended discussion OF the
plans in regard to unemployment in
surance, security for children and
the public health program, which arr
expected to cost around fifty million
dollars the first year, and about nine
ty-two million dollars each succeed
ing year. Generally the recommen
dations include maximum payments
OF $500 a week to those unemploy
ed beginning four weeks after loss o.
Job. and to continue for sixteed
weeks. This is expected to be me
by a universal tax on payro1ls from
one percent to three per cent by
1893.
The phase OF the program affect
ing children includes assistance TO-
young children without a breadwm
ner In the family. with the Fedora
Government bearing onethird OF thu
cost. These grants would be cond1
tional on passage and enforcement
Of mandatory state laws, and tn
cost to the Federal Government i
set at twenty-five million dollars an
nually. Moreover. smaller sums ar
set up to provide for aid Of materna
child health, crippled children ant
child welfare.
The recommendations in regard Il
public health win not be made TO