The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-08
VOTE DRIVE ON
FOR CALIFORNIA
$50 week PLAN
''Han and Eggs" Pension
Proposal on NOvem.
Der Z Ballots

San Francisco, sept. es--(UP)--
California Is forming its statewide
electoral battle fronts for new
fight on Nov. 7 for or against the
$50 q week "fzam and Eggs" pension
plan for ell persons past 80.
Although the project was over
whelmingly defeated at last years
elections, the defeat only spurred
its supporters to greater activity
through CALIFORNIA; initiative leg
aslation. Ample signatures were
obtained TO call special election
this year to vote on the project.
For the moment, the struggle Is
centering on both sides to get out
the largest registration California
has ever had so that the vote will
be decisive as possible. Registra-
ton closes on Sept. ~ and from
then on until thet November elec-
ton, the fight will be centered on
getting the hackers and supporters
fully lined up.
Decisive Test Sought
The principal objective Of get
ting out the fullest registration
possible Is to make certain that
the bill will not be approved or
defeated by minority vote.
Since last years defeat OF the
bill, Its supporters have worked
with greater activity than ever.
Headquarters were established at
Los Angeles, a newspaper was
started which is now self-support-
ing, and statewide precinct work.
ers have been kept busy day and
night for new converts.
In the meantime, opponents OF
the measure have not been Idle. At
present, Is Of the leading business,
civic, commercial clubs, retail and
wholesale, agricultural state en-
ployes and other organizations
have united against the proposed
plan.
They have obtained the services
OF former State Attorney General
u. 8. Webb to lead their attack.
Aside from the usual arguments
that the plan Is not economically
feasible, they are pointing out that
California, under the recent re-
adjustment OF the Social Security
Act, eventually will be paying an
old age insurance rate OF $40
month, the highest In the United
States.
In addition. new quirk has de-
veloped as the result OF O court
action by Minor Pierce Long OF
Oakland, who obtained q restrain
ing order preventing the state
printer from printing the ballots
for the Nov election on the
grounds that the plan embedies q
system OF payment by script which
In part OF copyrighted plan Of
his own known as the Long Plan
or Ray System"
"Ham and Eggs" supporters,
however, hope 10 overcome this
obstacle before election,
Roosevelt Word Possible
Great hopes also are entertained
by opponents OF the plan that
President Roosevelt will oppose It
during his contemplated trip west.
This year, with nothing but the
merits or dement's OF the plan 10
be considered, hopes are enter
tained that an even stronger ex-
pgesSion OF opinion against 1t may
DO obtained.
One circumstance that II Is be-
lieved will not help the supporters
OF the plan Is the fact that while
II was through their initiative that
the special election was called,
they have failed In their hopes 10
have the proposed plan the only
issue on the ballot,
Instead the ballot also will con.
tain a chiropractors' initiative,
loan shark referendum, an oil act
petition and there may be others.
Gov Culbert l.. Olson has al
ready expressed his disbelief In the
plan.
However, against the efforts OF
the more solid business and indus
trial leaders OF the state Is lined I'D
O great number OF older people
who have come 10 California In
recent years and who see In tho
project the possibility OF security.
The outcome OF the election Is
expected TO have marked effect
either for or against other similar
projects that are being proposed
In other states.