Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-08-11
YELI0Nl TELLS OF
STATE ASSISTANCE
Social Security Chief of
State Speaks to County
Commissioners

Wilmington, Aug. 10-Speaking here
last night before the annual conven-
ton of the North Carolina Association
of County Commissioners, Nathan H.
Yelton, director of the public assist
ance division of the State Board Of
B Charities and Public Welfare, said
1--WE, have undertaken a tremendous
task in North Carolina-one that will
need to be watched from many angles
that of administering old age ASSIST
ance and aid to dependent children"
I'VE all believe" Yelton continued,
that the unfortunate, those in need,
old and without subsistence should be
cared for by the State, county and
Federal governments-How we
are not going to instill in the minds
of future citizens of North Carolina
that they are to be relieved of all their
responsibility in caring for their faith
ers and mothers, brothers and sisters
when they are plenty able to do so
themselves It would be dangerous
thing economically, socially and poll
tically to believe that every one past
IS years of age automatically, regard
less of financial status of relatives, be-
OOAICS q .&CoPOAA0AOAAACy VI IAAO IcAAPcby
ers of North Carolina.
There remains great deal of con-
fusion about the social security pro-
gram. Old age assistance is confus-
ed daily with old age benefits. Old
age benefits is entirely another phase
of the program, and in this division
the Federal government gets small
part of the wages of a worker each
day week or month and puts it aside.
When the worker becomes IS years of
age, he may stop work and the gov
eminent will pay him back what it
took out OF his wages, at the rate Of
about half of what he earned while
at work.
Speaking of the cost of administer
ing the social security program in this
State, Yelton said:
TT has been difficult to determine
the exact cost of administering the
program. We have, however, endeav-
ored to keep the cost down to a min
imum in order that the tax rate would
not be excessive for administrative
purposes -. Some of the budgets may
be excessive, while others may be en-
tirely too small for the administration
of this program -. It is my intention
and desire to make the administration
of this program as economical, eff
cient and sensible as possible, keep
ing in mind that the taxpayers are
already burdened in many of the
counties of the State, and would not
want to add one cent of unnecessary
expense to the load already being
carried by these counties.
I'm some of the counties the ad-
ministrative costs as far as the coun-
tvs part is concerned will actually be
reduced under last year -. In my
Opinlont in a lgreat many of the
duced after the applications have
been taken and the program has been
running a limited length of time.
1.-THE people of North Carolina
generally speaking, have been very
| patient in waiting for the program to
start. !. 1T is my desire to get out of
the minds the Utopia that seems so
well grounded in many people apply
ing for old age assistance and get
| them down to a common sense view
point and to realize, if possible thai
! this program is and must be based
, ON the ability of the taxpayers Of
North Carolina, and that it is in every
respect "a common sense program and
| not theoretical one.
! "The social security program is only
in its infancy in North Carolina, and
J time alone will tell just what change!
| will be needed in the future to solve
| the problems connected with the ad
! ministration and distribution of bene
/ fits !. 4 We who are in charge of the
| Program solicit and welcome youi
support and guidance in making the
Social Security program function
! properly in North Carolina, thereby
rendering, to the needy the service
that it isour duty to perform a:
citizens"