The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-01-03
THE TOWNSEND PLAN

Editor The T;mes-News:
Will you XII dly allow me space
in YOUR valuable columns 1or a
few words regarding the old age
pension, the Townsend plan, a
bill that will be presented to
Congress next session to pay all
citizens of the United States
over 60 years of age, on the con-
ditions that they give up their
Jobs to the unemployed and that
thew spend the entire amount OF
the $500 for whatever they de-
sire every 80 days within the
confines of the United States.
The first mental reaction of
virtually everyone, on hearing OF
$500 per month is that it is too
much money.
Too good to be true, unrea-
sonable, would burst the govern
ment, could not be spent, would
create idleness. etc.
To those, however; who take
the time to think the matter
through to its logical end and
purpose. the fact becomes clear
that any less amount would de-
feat the purpose of this bill.
, The Townsend plan does not
contemplate alone the relief of
the aged, as commendable as
such object may seem, but the
end and purpose of this plan is
much broader than that.
The primary purpose, in a
words is to cure the depression.
The promoters of the Town
send plan believe it will not only
cure this depression but will for
ever prevent another one recur-
ring.
The government might con-
template paying all persons over
certain age $25, $50 or 500
per month, but in any such case
the benefits accruing to the rest
Of the people who are not with
in the pension class would be
negligible. What the great mass
of the people and business want
is a plan that will not only re-
lieve the aged and distressed, but
will at the same time make pros
perity for everywhere in the
entire United States.
That is what the Townsend
Iplan will do, but it cannot ac-
complish it's end and purpose or
an amount less than the $500
per month.
In order to secure the pension
under the Townsend plan and in
order to render the plan effective
in putting the idle men and wo.
men back to work, one Of the
chief requirements is that the
applicant must retire from active
work. It is readily seen that few
business and professional mer
rould be induced to quit bust.
ness or give up their jobs on q
guaranteed income of less thar
5000 per month. No one should
lose sight of the fact that in OF.
der to accomplish it's purpose as
cure for the depression, each
S2OO must be spent within sc
days.
This insures the forced circu.
iatlon of the huge sum of one
billion six hundred million over
the entire United States every
80 days. This cannot helm but
make prosperity for everybody
every class Of business every.
where.
1t is the spender more than fhe
saver that makes prosperity.
Please remember that there is
nothing compulsory about qiyino
up your position, that is left mr.
to the individual. You do not
have to give up any of youl
property, you do not have to give
up any income you otherwise
have-you do not have to take
the pauper's oath.
This is a broad bill, it takes in
all classes of citizens over &C
and the main object and purpose
is to put Uncle Sam back on his
feet Immediately and forever
keen him there and these eight
million old people would have
that honor.
] Some people are advocating ;