Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-10

the other half doesn't care, but those
who expressed opinions at all prefer
to 60 on living just as they are.
One of these is John Kennedy, IS.
an unusual inmate in that he can read
and write. Despite the fact he has
passed the three-quarter century
mark, Kennedy takes lively interest
in what is going on around him and
in the outside world, according to
Melvin H. Moore, superintendent of
the institution.
His favorite form of reading is
physical culture books, the Sunday
newspapers and news digest maya
zines. He was perusing weighty
tome dealing with the best means of
keeping the body fit when asked what
he thought of the plan.
Laying aside the book, he opined
that social security may be all right
for those who want it, but am very
well satisfied to let well enough alone"
Another Would Look Into 1t.
George Fowler, SO, who also falls
into that minority group of inmates
who can read and write, remarked
Things suit me just like they are,
but I would like to read up on what
social security means
The opinions voiced by Fowler and
Kennedy are typical of those who
would express their thoughts on the
subject. Others simply know little
about the old-age pension plan, or
for that matter about the social Sc
curity program as a whole.
Marvellous Willard, IA, is one Of the
latter. He was summing himself on a
bench when asked whether he would
prefer the almshouse be abolished
and the inmates put on pension.
Squirting up through the rays of the
westering sun, he declared:
IF you'll just tell me what this So
cial security is, maybe can tell you
if like it better or not"
Inma.es like Willard and others who
are unfamiliar with social security
and other topics of current interest,
however, are fast acquiring knowl-
edge of matters in the outside world.
TtdulO LnlVenS 1ntcTcSG.
They are re-establishing contact
with society through the magic of
radio. Every night the % inmates
meet in the halls of the administra-
ton building to hear music, speaking
Or comedy, over a set purchased and
installed for them by the last grand
jury.
After a visit to the almshouse on
the Richie road, half way between
Forestville and Richie, members of
the grand jury decided the inmates
should have some entertainment. A
radio was suggested and the % men
on the jury filed by table and laid
down enough money to buy the set.
They also recommended that an ad-
ditional set be installed by the Board
Of County Commissioners.
This has not been done, and its lack
Is depriving some of the bedridden
patients of a much-desired means of
diversion.
But these men and women long
since learned to tighten their jaws at
disappointment and their belts at
privation. They have not yet asked
why the promised radio has not ar
rived.
Being at the mercy of benef1cent
county government has its advan-
tages, any of the inmates would tell
the visitor, but there are more draw
backs than any of them would men,
ton. Most of them have illnesses or
infirmities which make labor an i'm
possibility, but, under the terms OF
their admittance, they are required to
do no more work than they volun-
tarily do for exercise.
Life at the almshouse Is founded
pretty well on the theory and prac-