The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-07-02

coin county.
T1EIENA.-On Wednesday July |,
1886 between 5000 and 1000 men and
women. past the age of SIS years, a
great army that is waiting patiently
for the final summons, will have their
hearts gladdened by receiving from the
county boards their old age pensions.
Montanas law, passed by the last legis-
lature, will finally go into operation on
that date
On Tuesday of this week, Governor
Elmer Holt sent wires to the county
boards of every one Of the S. counties
stating that the federal funds had been
received. the Montana law had been
finally approved at Washington and
that the State Old Age Pension Com
mission was ready to cooperate with
the counties in making the payments to
those applicants whose claims had been
approved. From each of the Sc coun-
ties he received replies that they were
ready to 60 ahead
Under the law the county old age
pension commissions, consisting of the
county commissioners, the county at
torneys and the county relief boards
pass upon all applications Any person
refused the pension has the right to
appeal to the state board.
The theory Of the law is that the
county boards are in closer touch with
their own people and in better posi-
ton to Judge on the merits Of 4sach
case
A Maximum of $4,000
Under the law no pension Of more
than $50 a month can be paid to any
one person The amount may be less
than that Conditions in the county or
conditions of the applicant may de-
termine that.
No person who has an income Of
more than $50 month Is entitled to
pension.
That refers to incomes from divi-
dends, interest, rentals. salaries an
nuities--in fact to any regular income
source
1t does not mean that q person who
has a home where he or she lives from
WlliIli lfietE - Itp illloillts - III dliA
manner deprived Of the right to a
pension.
At the recent meeting Of the state
convention Of county commissioners,
held in Great Falls, Acting Admin
istrator Joseph Watson answered ques-
ton after question on these mooted
points.
How about applicants having to sign
a paupers oath to get a pension
asked one commissioner.
No applicant is asked to sign any
thing that can in any way be termed
paupers oath answered MIR. Watson
Mr.. Watson urged the county COM
missioners to impress upon every APP
plicant for a pension the fact that there
is no such thing as a pauper's oath in
volved in any manner with the opera
ton Of the old age pension law in
Montana.
Paid by Counties
The counties will pay the pensions
direct and at the end Of each month
will receive from the state rs percent
Of the amount paid, Of which Is per
cent will be the states share and so
percent the federal government SHAKE
On June 49, State Auditor John T.
Holmes received a receipt from Ad-
ministrator Watson Of the Montana
Relief Commission for Sl12.5O0 which
had been received from the feledal
government and which was turned oves
to the state treasurer as a new fund
on the state books-the old age pension
fund.
Mr.. Watson has further clarified the
situation on the following points.
Applicants who have not had their
applications approved by July will
not necessarily have to wait until Au-
gust to receive their pension first
payments as for the first month pay
ments will be made every five days up
on applications approved within these
periods. After the first months def
mite dates will be set for payments.
Persons who own property will not
be compelled to assign such property
Continued on page 81