The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-04-30
Senator's To
Aid Of Old Age
Pensioners
Two Montana Solons Work
To Correct Possible Delay
in Payments
FIRST MONEY
PAYABLE IN MAY

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. received from
Washington indicate that the last legal
technicality that has been blocking the
operation of Montana's old age pension
law has been swept out Of the road
Strenuous efforts are now being made
to make it operative in the coming
month The developments of the last
week are as follows:
Senators Murray and Wheeler took
the subject up with the federal Sc
curities commission and received as
surances of prompt and favorable action
at Washington.
Governor Erickson resigned as old
age pension administrator in Montana
to take over duties as legal adviser
of the water conservation board
Joseph Watson, state relief admins
traitor, was made co-ordnator and took
over the ties of administrator Of old
age pensions.
Governor Elmer Holt, Chairman
Charles P Nevin and the members of
the state old age pension commission
have made arrangements with Montana
banks to furnish to the federal govern
ment the necessary financial assurances
regarding the repayment of the govern
ment where pensioners die leaving es-
tates.
As a result of the combined efforts
of Montanas senators and Governor
Holt, it is probable that the first pen
sion payments will be made in May.
Governor Elmer Holt stated that the
members of the state old age pension
commission have given their personal
guarantee to Montana banks and
through the banks the guarantee asked
by the government. Under this in case
Of the death of any pensioner during
the next year, where that pensioner
leaves an estate of value, the federal
government will be reimbursed from
the estate for any money it may have
paid in pensions to that pensioner.
Section 81 of Chapter ITO of the stat
utes passed by the state legislatures
in 1885, entitled AN Act for the Pay
ment Of Old Age Assistance" reads as
follows,
Section 21-Claim Against the Estate
of an Assisted Personal the death Of
a person to whom the assistance is
granted or the last survivor of a
married couple, the total amount of as
sistance since the first grant, together
with five percentum (5T) of interest,
shall be deducted and allowed by the
proper courts out of the proceeds of his
or her property as a preferred claim
against the estate of the person so as
sisted and refunded to the state and
county in the proportion Of the as
sistance paid by each, leaving the bal
ance for distribution among the lawful
heirs in accordance with law"
Had the word nation or United
States" been inserted with the state and
county, no objection would have been
raised originally
Senators Aid.
Last week the author Of the present
law took up directly with the senators
from Montana the question of speeding
we received the following telegram
from Senator Murray from Washington.
Charles L. Stevens, Great Falls,
Montana-Just had a conference with
Mr.. Eliot, chief counsel social security
board and matter you have written
about montana Old Age Pension Law
will be Strengthened out satisfactorily.
He will communicate with you and
Governor Erickson Immediately and
am sure we will have no more diff
culties Wire me if you encounter any
trouble--James E. Murray
On Monday we received the follow
ing telegram from Senator Wheeler;
Charles L. Stevens, Helena, Mont
am informed by the Social Security
Board that Montana Is mailing new
pension plan to Washington am keep
: ing in touch with the matter and will
do all I can.-B K Wheeler"
Save Administration Costs.
Chairman Charles P. Nevin stated
that by naming Relief Administrator
Joseph Watson as coordinator and his
taking over the duties that heretofore
devolved on Governor Erickson, there
would be material saving in admins
trative costs. The move was in line
with the commissions policy of rigic
economy. Mr.. Watson willingly agreed
to assume the new duties to save ex-
pense.
Chairman Nevin had made plans fol
business trip to Washington and in.
cidentally to take up with Washington
the further details of putting the stat,
law into operation but he was taken il
last Friday and the appeal to the sen
ators made it unnecessary to wait.
Il feel sure" said Mr.. Watson" tina
there will be no further delays. w
may need the cooperation of member
of the county relief boards in speedin
the work. 1t is possible that all ap
plicants for pensions, including thos
whose applications have already bee,
filed and approved, will have to max
out the new forms as asked by Wash