The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-10-29

= Initiative Isl

lnllldIlVe l9l
One OF the most controversial issues to
be disposed Of at the general election. Nov.
3, Is Initiative Isl, the old age pension pro-
posal. This Is measure on which there
II honest difference of opinion.
But, instead of getting intelligent dis
eussion, the measure has been made . sort
of political football, to be approved or OPP
posed as it might be to the advantage or
disadvantage of some office seeker.
The radical difference between Initia-
tive Isl and the present old age pension
measure, approved by the voter two years
ago as Initiative 141. is that the new
measure provides medical and dental SER
vice for all recipients Of public assist
ance." The quotation is from SUM-
mary Of Conclusions Relative to Initiative
ISL" This is an attack on the bill, evil
IDENTIFY coming from Olympia
According to proponents of the bill, and
they seem sincere in the contention, the
provision extending medical and dental aid
to those not now receiving such care was
intended to apply particularly to children
of mothers now receiving a mothers pen
sion. II also provides medical and dental
care for the wife Of a man receiving old
age assistance.
In its wisdom, the social security
board, on the theory that two can live
more cheaply than one, clips So month
from this mans $40 pension because he is
living with his wife who is not old enough
to apply for a pension. Because there
were known many cases where the $34
month could not cover living expenses and
medical attention for the wife. this addi-
tional provision was added in initiative Isl.
In that connection. It is pointed out by
proponents of the bill that in all such in
stances the medical care is provided at
public expense anyway. 1t is also pointed
out, in connection with the extension of
benefits to children. that one of the causes
of reflections of young men subject to
army service under the selective service
act was physical ailment or deficiency due
to lack of medical care in childhood and
youth.
So much for the proponents side of the
case
Opposition is based on the contention
that of all times this is the one time when
local taxes should be held to the minimum.
That issue is not subject to debate. The
now We are not doing that
more in money, as well as men and other
resources. Income taxes next year will
increase as much as so per cent and in GER
tain cases will be doubled.
On top Of that are the various war
taxes. direct and indirect, and the con-
tinual demands for contributions to war
and relief agencies and for the purchase
Of war bonds.
We might as well face the facts. Re-
CARELESS of the merits of the bill, there
Is plenty of reason for the opinion that
now Is most disadvantageous time to
ask the people to vote for measure that
is going to impose further burden on the
tax budget. Notwithstanding the fact
that part of the additional expense to be
incurred under the bill has to be met by
the state anyway, the argument that this
is poor time to vote new taxes is still
good. Uncle Sam will see to it that we
pay to the limit.
As far as the old age pensioners are
concerned, there is not the slightest doubt
that their present rights will be maintained
even If Isl fails. Any legislator or state
executive who would take advantage of the
fact that the provisions of Initiative 141,
approved two years ago, could be abro-
gated, would have the wrath of the entire
Stste ooWn on MS ne6o III snort 0fuer. NO
body need fear on that score.
AS The Times sees the picture. the
tragedy Of the entire social security set
up in this state is that the issue has not
been squarely and honestly met by those
by whom the act is administered. That
goes for both the state and federal social
security set-up.
What looks very much like sharp prac-
tice has been INDUCED in by administrators
in this state. Representatives from the
federal social security board in Washing
ton, and others from the office in San
Francisco have told conflicting stories
about what viii or will not be approved by
the federal board. They also have dis
agreed on Interpretation of the federal So
cial security act.
With all this confusion and the attempt
of office seekers to make social security
in this state a matter of. narrow partisan
politics, The Times believes nothing will
be lost by the defeat of Isl. And that
casts no reflection whatever on those who
support the bill from sincere motives.