The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-01-07

Washington state stands among
the leaders in the nation In the
amount, paid to the largest number.
according to its population. But,
to reach that spot. this state had
to dedicate "A quarter OF its total
revenue.
Officials, from the governor
down. are worried by the
mushrOoming growth of the
various pensions and pro-
grams.
The biggest welfare problem for
the 26th legislature is how much
To appropriate for the coming bicn-
mum. The last one gave it S43.-
10000 Gov. Clarence D. Martin
has indicated he favored tapering
off welfare expenditures because
the states income is dropping He
also Is against new or heavier
taxes.
Court Causes Problem
I'VE have something else to do
down at Olympia besides sending
out checks, he has remarked. One
of the boosters for old age pen
sions at the start, IN the state
where pensions originated. the gov
ernor believes the time has come
to gauge relief spending by the
states ability TO spend. which to-
day Is low.
Another big welfare problem for
the legislature was raised when
the state supreme court, differing
from the federal social security
board. said support of relatives
could not be counted when figuring
pension applicants need" for
that pension.
The federal board promptly noti-
fled Governor Martin 1t would cam
eel $4,000. 900 a year in federal
matching money If the state paid
pensions to persons not In need.
according to the way it defined
need.
Eagles Have Plan
The 1855 session repealed the
states ''pauper laws" which re-
quired relatives to aid their needy.
hut some sort of amendment must
be made to the present pension law
defining relative support as re-
sources if the state wishes to avoid
losing its federal matching money.
Despite this situation, the state
old age pension union recently de-
manded that $50 monthly pensions
be mandatory for all needy persons
more than 65. absolvins relatives
of responsibility. II also wants the
legislature TO prevent the state
from including home ownership and
insurance policies as resource. >
The Eagles lodge. which spon-
sored the pension law, also wants
the law broadened and pensions
made easier to get. They want per-
sons eligible for pensions without
being on relief, no relative support
required unless they are willing and
able. require the state department
to act on applications faster. enact
laws governing appeals in simpler
form and raise more money and
earmark it directly for pensions.
May Start Probe
Curtailment of the WPA the
past few weeks viii increase the
number of unemployed and also
the social security departments
problems because relief funds are
running low. The coming session
may see another hunger march or
two to demand more tax money.
Tho session also may investigate
the department cost of admins
tering social security. as State
) Auditor Cliff Yelle suggested.
Ernst. q veteran OF other legisls-
tive probes. challenged yelle's
statement that costs were too high.
Counties want sufficient money
TO administer literally the social
security law OF else turn the pro-
gram back TO the state. They also
want less state control over vel
fare budgets. policies and hiring OF
employees. Labor unions are lead
ing the movement TO have the
Unemployment insurance division
transferred from Ernst to the de-
7 partnent of labor and industries,
where il would be administered By
e. Pat Kelly, Democratic party
stalwart.
An ths time 1t IL considering