Montana labor news., 1938-05-05
Townsend Plan Will
Help Business

The Open Forum discussion at
Butte Townsend Club meeting Fri
day evening was most interesting
and instructive to the large gather
ing present. A three point discus
sion, The Business Man and the
Townsend Plan, with Paul Cannon
as speaker; The Young Man and
the Townsend Plan" by Mr.. Killian;
THE Older Citizen and the Town
send Plan" by Mrs. H. N. Kennedy,
analysed the scope of the Townsend
movement in a way that showed a
deep understanding of economics by
the several speakers. The highlights
of each talk are combined in the
following summary:
Paul Cannon reviewed the course
of events that brought on the de-
preston and the upturn that was the
result of the payment of the soldiers
bonus; the recession" after the
bonus money had done its bit and
was again back in the hands of the
hoarders. Nov the business mans
stock-whatever his line may be-is
not moving fast enough, because the
purchasing power is not in the hands
of the people who need the goods
and services the business man has
to sell. Think of what an adequate
prosperity check that could not be
boarded would do for business men!
Demand H. R. 4199."
Mr.. Killian touched briefly on the
educational advantages and voca-
tional training offered to the young
man today, and the vast number of
young people who have planned
their work but are denied the oppor-
tunity to work their plans. The
operation of the Townsend Plan
would retire many older people
whom the young folks could replace;
the spending of annuities would Gre
ate markets for goods and services
that would keep the wheels of in
dustry turning permanently, with no
regularly r%ecurrent d%epressions -
money in constant circulation is
what is needed.
Mrs. Kennedy said that Age for
Leisure with the buying power that
the Townsend Plan would supply is
a most attractive prospect for the
older men and women who have
planned and worked and suffered
to make this great country what il
is today. Our sacrifices and services
have made possible the advantage;
our young people enjoy now, and ii
The evening of u lives we should
be able to sit back a while, and en-
joy watching the success of our
work. Ours is not a selfish motive
we cannot in the natural order hope
to be here more than a very few
years. We are sure that the re-
moval Of the fear Of a dependent ole
age will add to our expectancy
but at that, u time is short. But
our work for this great movement
will be the means of making thi:
world a better place for those who
come after us. Our great leader, DR.
Francis E. Townsend, says the OBJ
iect of his work is to abolish poverty
from this country. Isn't that an OBJ.
jective worth working for?"
Dave Goggin of the railroad work
ers union spoke on the pension
movement. He also commented or
Jerry O'Connelrs mastery talk ovel
the radio. He recalled that Mon.
tana's senior senator, B. K. Wheeler
was one of the first to ask our Presi
dent for an annulment of the charge!
against DR.. Townsend.
Fine musical numbers, followed by
refreshments were enjoyed after the
speaking.
Townsend Club No. l meets every
Friday evening at the Y. M. c. A
and visitors are always welcome.
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