The Kusko times., 1937-03-26

T staff, has been appointed Information Service Representative of the Alaska office of the Social Security board at Juneau, it was announced recently by Hugh J. Wade, chairman of the Ter ritorial Social Security office.
 One of Mr. Bartlett's duties will be ito furnish Alaska newspapers with pertinent information relative to the Social Security Act.
 MT. Bartlett has resigned his po- sition with the News-Miner to ac- eept his new duties. He was sue eeeded on the Fairbanks paper by Noel c. Ross, experienced writer from the States, who, with Mrs. Ross, has been making his home in Fairbanks for the past several months.
 Regarding the Social Security Act as it affects Alaska, a careful study made by the Alask office of-the Social Security board indicates that the Ters ritory can amend existing laws re- lating to pensions So as to conform with that section of the Social Se- curity Act relating to old age assis- tance without any undue strain on the Territorial treasury.
 This study, although unofficial, so far as the Social Security board is concerned, and made only to throw light upon a subject about which there has been some confusion, shows that an additional annual appropria- ton by the Territorial !. Legislature of only about s50;D0D would enable Alaska to participate ain the many benefits conferred by the federal act
 'sThe records of the United States Census Bureau disclose that. in 1850 there were 2935 residents of the Ter rftory of Alaska 65 years old or old er, or 4.9 per cent of the total popu- Iation of the Territory." said Hugh J. Wade, territorial attorney of the Alaska office of the Social Security board and, in charge of the Alaska office. "Of this number 946 were for eign born. and s71 were natives, or z.9 per cent of the native population in 1880 was composed of so-called aged people
 'The census records for 1920 dis close that 1727 aged people resided in the Territory Of Alaska or 3.l per cent of the total population. Of this number 463 were foreign born The aged native population in 1920 was 769, or 2.9 per cent of the total native population of that year
 From the above figures, it will be noted that in the period bewteen 1920 and 1880 there was an increase of aged persons in Alaska of IS per cent of the total population. How ever, there was the same percentage of aged natives in Alaska in 1880 as there was in 1920.
 ''It Is fair to assume that there will be the same proportional in crease noted in the aged people of Alaska during the period from 1880 to 1887 and have assumed that the total population of Alaska has in-i creased to 69,O0o with the increase in the native population being hber- ally estimated at 30,0OO. It is also fair to asume that there will be no increase in the percentage of aged natives during this period, as there was no increase during the 16-year period I92D-1g30.
 Over $500 Eligible
 If the above assumptions are fair, 6.2 per cent of the total population of the Territory of Alaska is 65 years old or older. This means that this year there are total of APIS people in Alaska who are 65 years old or older. Of this number 956 are na- tives and 3322 are whites. As stated above, of the total population in 1880, 946 cf the aged people were foreign born. It is assumed, the-e-