Evening star., 1939-12-02
Americans Over 40
Join for Study Of
Job Problems
Not Pension, but Chance
To Work Is Cool Of
New Organization

An embryonic Townsend move
ment in reverse shifted into hlgn
gear here last night.
1t was an organization OF Ameri-
cans Over Forty, designed primarily
to convince hirers and tirers
throughout the country that life
really does begin at 40-or learn the
reason why not.
A chicken in every pot, ham and
eggs on every breakfast table or
a fiat monthly Government pension
for grandpa are of no concern to
| the Americans Over Forty Jobs for
| that age category comprise the prin-
cipal item of business.
The local organization, the per-
manent officers of which were
elected at a meeting last night in
the Epiphany Church parish hall,
got its start near the end of the
summer.
Program Idea Start.
Then four individuals-all of
whom had sources of comfortable
income-decided a series of radio
programs on the -discushed
question, Why the thunder can't a
fellow get job when he crosses
the 40 line? would be of general
interest. Lloyd Dennis of Station
WJSV was one of the four. ~
On delving into the idea, the
small group decided that perhaps
some sort of organization could ham
die the programs with greater ease,
and an announcement Of a meeting
of Americans Over Forty appeared
in the newspapers shortly there
after. The session was fairly we'll
attended. Three other meetings fol-
lowed the attendance increasing
each time.
And last night groundwork was
laid for Nation wide organization.
Ex-Professor Heads Groups.
DR.. William Downs, former pro-
fessor at several of the larger
Eastern and Midwestern universities
and now free lance writer. was
elected president of the local or
ganization after acting as temporary
chairman at the previous meetings.
He, too, was member of the original
four. Final draft of the locals con-
stitution and bylaws is about COM
pleted, and already a constitution
for national organization is under
way.
Americans Over Forty now
numbers go, many of whom are
competent reseach men and econo-
mists in the Federal Government.
Five members are unemployed.
Average age in the organization is so
and about 40 per cent of the men,
bership are women.
Employment for idle "over-
forties" who want jobs is the
primary objective of the group, but
an extensive reseach program,
aimed at basic causes of their en-
forced idleness, is being planned as
the Americans Over Forty gather
steam.
No Age Limit for Members.
Membership requirements involve
no age limits, and many of those
already participating in the move
ment are we'll under the dead
line" Dues are 81 per year.
Elected with DR.. Downs to carry
on for the forties locally we're Mrs.
Louise Lazell, vice president; Mrs.
Coralie Schubert, secretary; H. w.
Campbell, treasurer; Percy Bettison,
editor, and the following members
of the Executive Board:
Marion Hedges, Lloyd Dennis, DR..
Downs, Mr.. Campbell, Karl Karsten,
Mrs. Eva Young, Fred Sewer,
Raleigh Lawson, Mr.. Bettison, Mrs.
Eva Whyte, Mrs. M. S. Tucker, Mrs.
Schubert, j. H. MacClane, Miss Jewel
Goodwin and G. v. Hickinbotham.
The members decided to convene
again two weeks hence, and in the
meantime the Membership and Ma
tional Committees have the jobs of
putting the finishing touches on the
structure of movement which could
dwarf President Roosevelt's Su-
preme- Court -justices-under-70 cam
paign into ripple.