The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1940-01-04

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REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA;
LIKE THE ALPHABETICAL GOV
eminent agencies which baffled the average
citizen until he became familiar with the es-
sentlal ones and decided not to worry about
several dozen others which were only Occa-
sionally in the news, the new systems of
bringing security to great masses OF the
public are a conglomeration of names to
most people.
Old age assistance and old age insur-
ance, for example, are entirely different pro-
positions, yet few can tell why one is charity
and the other is not. Despite much publicity
on the subject, there is still confusion over
unemployment insurance. The proportions
in which the county, state and federal gov
ernments share such items as direct relief,
aid to dependent children, old age assistance
and many others are matters with which the
average taxpayer has not concerned himself.
1t is because of this lack of familiarity
with present day policies that controversy
has arisen in Redwood county over closing
the county home. Primarily an economy
measure, the matter is stressed at this time
because a great many persons believe the
opportunity afforded by the National Youth
dQ1HlfllStTdUlOH 10 IIldkS gOOQ USE VI IflC
home, a white elephant" left by the transi-
tion from one method to another, may be the
most practical purpose for the building and
at least is an ideal one in that only short
term leases have been discussed, leavlng the
building at our disposal on short notice if
and when it is wanted for some other use.
What has been explained repeatedly but
seems not to have been universally accepted
TIC tbo 1s,rtH 10 NV nf
caring for the INDECENT aged became outdat-
ed with the old age assistance program. Last
week Redwood county had 347 persons re-
ceiving old age assistance. T.,
Zach case has been examined carefully
by the welfare board, which includes three
commissioners Kragh, Becknan and Raw
cling and two appointees, A. F. Hassenstab
and Mrs. Peter Cantine, both of Wabasso.
Mrs. Cantine acts as chairman.
y The most that can be paid to an OAA
client is $50 per month, but few get that
amount. Instead the welfare board takes
into consideration any property the benefi-
clafy may own other income he or she may
have and many other factors, and sets an
amount which it deems necessary for the
comfort of the client.
While the roll was never that high at
any one time, 1888 persons received old age
assistance during 1888 and were paid total
of SIG, 17l.50. That the board has tried to
be conservative is attested by the fact that
this figures TO under $500 per person, or be-
tween SIG and SIT per month. Looking over
the list published year ago, we find only
three who drew the full $3.50 for the year.
With such large number in need of as
sistance, and many of full support, it be-
comes apparent that the government was
not wasteful in setting up system Of caring
for its charges outside county homes. Our
own county home, one of the states CHEST,
would have accommodated only small frac-
ton OF our 347.
Strange as it may seem the pension sys-
tenn has been found more economical en- a
per case basis. Lowest per capita per month
cost of caring for clients at the Redwood
county home in recent years is S2299, well
above the average old age benefit check in
the county. This record figure was set inl
1888 when there were SO inmates
While from taxpayers angle it may
not appear important, it is obvious that in al
vast majority of cases the opportunity to
receive assistance while continuing to live inl
ones home community among lifelong
friends has made old age happier period
for many who might otherwise have been
transplanted late in life to new environ
ment, there to try as best they could to find
happiness among strangers. No doubt some
have accepted assistance who might have
'fgot along as best they could" rather than
go ito the poorhouse" but few will begrudge
them an easier last few years under the new
system.
While it took the prospect of an NYAI
school as a tenant for the property to focus
attention on the local county home situation,
persons close to the matter have seen its
population decline steadily over period Of
years and have realized that sooner or later
it would be abandoned as such.
Few persons go there before they are
65 years Of age, at which time they become:
eligible for old age assistance. When the,
county elects to keep any number of persons
past 65 years of age at the home, as It has
this year, the taxpayers burden mounts be
cause the county pays but 'one-sixth of the
old age assistance check a maximum of So,
but more often So or $S, while the expense
of maintaining the home is entirely assessed
against Redwood county taxpayers
The federal government furnishes one.
half the old age assistance rnoney-$38, 085.-,
TX last wear and the state one-third S25.as