Evening star., 1938-02-20
PRICE REAFF|RMS
0LD-AGE AID VIEW
Says Virginia Cities and
Counties Should Share
Cost Adequately.
h the Associated Press.

b the Associated Press.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va, Feb. 10.
-Virginia's legislators relaxed At Z
dinner dance tonight after hearing
Gov. Price reiterate that the counties,
cities and towns should bear q sub
stantial" part of the old-age assist
anee expenditures.
The Governor, in an extemporane-
Gus luncheon speech to Assemblymen
and their hosts at an advance celebrA-
ton Of Washington's birthday, also
repeated his plea that the localities
maintain their present tax rates for
schools so that the $4,000 ,0000 a year
increase in State school appropria-
tions could all be reflected in higher
teachers salaries.
He mentioned his inaugural recon-
mendation for appointment of local
welfare boards to administer old-age
assistance and relief, said he was not
welded to this or any other plan Of
appointment, and suggested that the
local boards be made up of public
spirited persons who would c,rve with
out pay.
Efforts to have the old-age assist
ance program appear very formidable
and beyond our means" have been
made In some quarters. the Governor
declared, but it is a duty we owe to
the aged to make the plan as useful
as possible within our means"
Pledged Prices Support.
The Governor spoke to a crowded
dining room at the Princess Anne
Hotel after being introduced by former
Senator c. O'Conor Goolrick, with
whom he exchanged compliments and
repeated previous assertions that he
had told the Fredericksburg man he
would have Mr.. Prices support should
ne run for Governor.
Mayor Marshall King had intro
duced Goolrick as "Fredericksbure's
nrst citizen" Senator w. M. Tuck
OF Halifax. following the Governors
speech. praised Fredericksburg as one
OF the most historic cities in the United
States. as well as Virginia. Ben r.
Pitts. president of the local Chamber
OF Commerce, presided. Speaker Ash
ton Dovell who Was on the program,
WAS unable to attend.
The legislators left Richmond most
~ IN buses and arrived here shortly
before the luncheon In the afternoon
they visited historic shrines in and
about the city. and tonight were guests
at the dinner dance at the State
Teachers College. Many State Of
ncials were in the party, including
Leroy Hodges. who will take ONCE As
comptroller about March /.
Goolrick noted that Gov. Price had
termed the Legislature one Of the most
industrious in years, and said the Gov
ernor was one of the hardest working
executives to I'LL his position.
Urges Schools Support.
The Governor emphasized his inter-
est in Humanitarian" phases Of gov
eminent. which he said included a
conservative" old age plan and in
creased support for schools, State hos
pitals and the health department.
Pointing out that the budget bill be-
fore the House next week carries the
5000, 900 q year for schools he recon-
mended above the 100000 in the
Peery budget. Gov. Price remarked
that the teachers retirement plan was
being given $4,000 more to put It
on sound basis.
He described the increase for teach
ers' salaries IS an Investment" for
the localities and called old age Assist
ance "in the final analysis . local
problem. and hope their participation
will be substantial"
He suggested that boards Of super
visors might list 10 or IL persons from
whom the State Welfare Department
could name three or five Is q local
welfare board. II the old age program
Is not started right 1t may become .
burden, as it has in other States" he
warned, adding that the payments
were not pensions. Merit and need
will be the. basis for distribution Of
the funds, he said, not merely the
minimum age Of IS for applicants.