The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-29

Naugatuck, Jan %J-A StAteuent that unless federal and state old age pension measures, now pro- posed, contain sections providing compensation for corporations who now pay pensions to retired em- pioyes. the companies may discon- tinue their own pension systems, featured the meeting last night of the League of Women Voters at which there was public discus- sion of old age pensions. It was held in the EllSs rooms.
 Cyrus S. Ching, industrial and public relations manager of the U. s. Rubber Company, was the speaker who conveyed the above idea to the good-sized audience. Other speakers included State Sem ator Julius Stremiau of Meriden, Joseph Nygren of Naugatuck re- cent candidate for congressman on the Independent Citizens ticket, Mrs Edna C. Fenniman, league president who opened the meeting, Miss Emily Sophie Brown, chair man of the leagues economic com mittee and Professor James T. Leary. head of the local Old Age Pension Club. who acted as chair man.
 MT Ching pointed out the com panies now paying pensions would find it practically impossible to continue their present pension plans if they have to also pay taxes to support federal and state sys. tems for helping the aged, The U. s. Rubber Company, heS continued, has believed fin old age pensions since 1917. These cost the company $191,948 annually just in Connec- ticut and the company has paid as fuch as $95O,0O0 in a year for pen plants in the entire country.
 "We are paying gladly, for we re- alize our own obligation, but l am companies sponsoring their own old age pension plans" he declared.
 Fair Treatment Sought
 He stressed the fact he favored old age pensions but said it was necessary that those manufacturers humane enough to give weekly or monthly payment to retired em- ployes who have served the com panies for many years, should have their interests protected.
 MT Ching criticized the old age pension bill being offered at the state legislature and the one pro- posed at Washington as visibly fun- fair. Neither. he said gives consid- eration to industrial companies who look after their own aged em- ployes. If the present social legis- lation is passed, companies now paying pensions will not be able to continue this practice because of added taxes, he said.
 He expressed the belief the U. S. Rubber Company, for instance, which has 500 on its pension list should get the chance to have talk en off it's tax rate the amount of money paid those persons, Who would otherwise have to receive government pensions. He stated It was not right to penalize the firms who have placed employment on service basis by not giving them any more consideration than firms not interested enough to care for the welfare. of old employees.
 Unemployment insurance IS really a form of regimentation he asserted and may change the ha- bits of the American people en- tirely. He pointed out that it is estimated almost 65,000 persons would be necessary to administer such legislation if, passed. He ad- mitted some sort of unemployment reserve Is needed but advocated the problem be handled in sane and intelligent manner.
 He told the audience that in the end, the consumer pays the bill. If a firm is heavily taxed 1t must add the cost of these taxes to it's pro- ducts or else go out of business.
 Nygren Talks
 Drastic social and economic adjustment is necessary, Mir Ny gren said. Individual case treat- ment must be excluded in hand ling unemployment because the sit- uation is general. he said. The administrative unit should be en- tirely non-political. The cost of raising standards of living should be met by national income taxes. not by taxes against the working people with small incomes. whose little is wiped away In case of ac- cident or sickness, he added.