Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1936-01-30
LEGISLATORS
END SESSION
Old Age Pension Bill With
$50 Maximum is Passed
by Both Houses.
Knotty Relief Bill Passed
Appropriates $1,62o,0W
for Use in 1896.
BY HJALMAR PETERSEN,
Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota.

BY HJALMAR PEI EhoEA>,
Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota.
week of Jan. 20 to Jan. 25)
1T is essential in order to main
tain civilization to yield to the needs
of the people. Floyd b.
Olson. Yield as little as possible. ap-
parently was the watchword OF the
reactionary, Republican majority dur
ing the special session of the Legis-
lature, which adjourned sine die, Sat
urday. noon.
Anticipating honest consideration
and sincerity of purpose, Governor
Olson called the Legislature into ex-
traorCinary session. In plain, under
standable English, he outlined a pro-
gram of social security legislation
that would dovetail with the federal
program He suggested ways and
means of financing such a program
without additional costs to the over
burdened taxpayers of the state.
Speaking before the joint session OF
the two Houses of the Legislature.
the governor expressed his faith in
humanity and a square deal, when he
said:
May your efforts lead to your sim
cere conviction at the close OF this
session, that you have genuinely con-
tributed to the economic security of
the people of Minnesota"
The Pension Bill.
After seven weeks of haggling. the
special session approved the old age
pension bill The credit for the
elimination of drastic and humiliat-
ing provisions of the bill as orig
inally reported out by the committee,
who fought untiringly to liberalize
the BILL. and to this group belongs
the credit for the deletion of the lien
clause and the reduction of the coun-
ties share of the cost. The bill is
in no sense an expression of the will
or desire of administration forces, but
compromise measure, the foundation
on which Minnesota will build real
old age pension system.
The pension bill, or old age assist
ance, passed by the Legislature and
now ready for the governors sigma
ture, provides that persons over 65
who have the proper residence quail
fications and possess property not in
excess of $4,000, exclusive of house
hold goods. wearing apparel and a
burial lot, may be given assistance
up to $50 a month. OF the $780, the
federal government will pay so per
cent. the state, 33 1/3 per cent. and
the county. 16 2,f3 per cent.
Lien Clause Stricken.
The much debated lien clause was
finally stricken from the bill, but the
final draft retained the relatives re-
sponsibility clause. The sum Of
$2,750,000 was appropriated to cover
ministration of the funds of the pen
sion will be in the hands of the State
Board of Control and the county COM
missioners in each county will con-
stitute the local agency through
which applications will be made and
approved.
The blind pension bill was reported
passed with only minor changes. The
bill provides a $50 month pension
to needy blind adults, this in addi-
tion to earnings or income not in ex-
cess of 1854. The administration of
pensions for the blind is under the
direction of the State Board of Con-
troll The, cost will be divided equally
Ln fol ho
states share to be paid from funds
appropriated at the regular session
for the care, relief and support of
needy blind
Relief Funds Voted.
The relief problem snarled into a
knot Thursday and caused a days de-
lay in adjournment, which had been
fixed for Friday, noon. The House
passed bill appropriating $3.50. 900
in new funds for relief Conserva-
tives in the Senate opposed the meas
ure. insisting that s1.5OO,OOO would
be sufficient to meet all relief needs
for the current year and fatty refus-
ing to even consider the House meas
ure. Senator Rockne moved recon-
sideration of the Senate vote on the
concurrent resolution for adjournment
Friday, insisting that additional time
was needed to iron out the difference
between the House measure and the
Senate Finance committee chairman's
idea of the amount that was sufficient
and just. Senator Rockne's motion
prevailed. The resolution was re-
called from the House and Saturday
was fixed as the day for adjournment,
thus giving poth opponents and pro-
ponents another Gay to debate the
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