Evening star., 1939-06-23
Townsend Pension
Plan Is Right, Nye
TeIIsConvention
Declares q National
Old-Aee Retirement
System Inevitable
b the Associated Press.

b the Associated Press,
INDIANAPOLIS, June 23.-Sen-
ator Gerald P. Nye, Republican, of
North Dakota told the fourth ma
tlonal convention of Townsend Old
Age Pension Clubs today that their
plan was right" and honest" and
predicted, 1--WE are going to have a
national old-age retirement plan in
this country"
Those who hesitate to assist in
Its fulfillment," he asserted, ARE
only postponing the ultimate to their
own disadvantage. The job at hand
Is not to debate whether such a sys-
tenn should be established, but to
find that kind of system which will
work"
He complimented the 10000 gray
Ing men and women delegates-who
lost no opportunity to sing of their
faith in the Townsend plan or to
break into wild cheering for its
founder, 72-year- DR.. Francis E.
Townsend-for their "persistency
upon principle that is as right and
rs honest as any principle ever laid
down."
This plan," he said, calls for the
levying of tax upon business trans
actions, the returns of which would
be available for distribution among
the aged who could qualify for this
deserving consideration"
Relief Called Narcotic,
Senator Nye described relief as
narcotic, not a cure-all," and said,
The United States will build back
its great strength only as it will
cause honest reward for honest la
Dor and provide adequately for those
who have earned the right 20 live
without begging and borrowing and
pleading pauperism on bended and
prayerful knees"
Among those scheduled to address
the delegates who crowded into Cadle
Tabernacle, scene of many religious
meetings, today were Representa-
tive Martin F. Smith, Democrat. of
Washington and Representative
Gerald Lands, Republican, of In
diana.
Representative Smith said in his
address, There is nothing fantastic
or absurd about our proposal except
Ing the expressed views of those who
discuss it and write about it with
out apparently ever having made
any study or investigation of the
subject matter, nor the factual in
formation relating to it."
Representative Smith explained
the Townsendites propose to pro-
rate among pensioners past so years
Of age, who cease gainful employ
ment and agree to spend the pen
sions within 80 days, the proceeds
from per cent transactions tax
on retail sales and one-half of
per cent tax on the gross revenues
of all producers, manufacturers,
wholesalers and jobbers.
Increased Payments Held Certain.
He estimated the aggregate total
yield would be S., 400, 900 900 annual
~ at first. this sum to be divided |
among 100000 pensioners of the !
dsC Va w yCdLo anu PooU dllo
amounting to $5626 per month for
the first year and, of course, GER
tain to increase commensurate with
the increase in money circulation,
velocity and turnover and conse-
quent increase in gross business
turnover and business transactions"
Representative Lands, in discuss
ing the Townsend plan bill recently
defeated in the House, said in his
prepared speech, Give us the Town
send plan, and we will not need the |
w. P. A., crop control and many
other Government agencies"
Il shall not quit fighting" he |
declared, until justice is done for
the old folks of our Nation"
Yesterday Senator Sheridan |
Downey, Democrat, of California
told the convention opposition to
the Townsend movement is "crum-
bling"
Time and tide" said Senator
Downey, "are fighting with us. The
leaders in Washington are getting |
ready to make DR. Townsend's brain
child their own progeny"
John H. Weir of Los Angeles was
elected the conventions permanent
chairman and Roy j. Webb of Chi
cago permanent secretary.