Maryland State Archives Maryland Suffrage News Collection MSA SC 3286 msa_sc3286_scm7805-0036    Enlarge and print image (1M)

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Maryland State Archives Maryland Suffrage News Collection MSA SC 3286 msa_sc3286_scm7805-0036    Enlarge and print image (1M)

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October J4, iyi+1 MARYLAND SUFFRAGE NEWS 237 that there arc I,aj0)0oa agcil dcpcinlcnts in this country who would come under the provisions of this hill, and that each one would receive the max- imum pension of $4 a week, the expense would be but slightly greater than the present haphazard, cruel and unsatisfactory method of dealing with old-age dependency. The Argument* in Favor of Old-Age Penafona. I have tried to point out every argument used against old-age pensions and to show their weakness, litit stronger than any argument I might make in answer, I want to point to the answer furnished by the countries where old-age pensions are in actual operation. old-age pensions do not discourage thrift, but, as the prime minister of New Zealand puts it, has encouraged thrift by giving the workers sonic- thing to hope for and by putting courage in their breasts. Old-age pensions do not disintegrate the family, but have the opposite effect, and the aged parent or grandparent 9 ho can help support the home in which he finds refuge is a blessing instead of a burden. Old-age pensions have not had mischievous political effects, but have tathcr helped to teach the people that they had a substantial share in gov- ernment; that the Government is. in fact, themselves, and that in seeing that justice is done, no more and no less, they were attending strictly to their own business. Contributory plans will not meet the need, for they do not reach the poorest paid workers, the ones who need help the most and who have, in fact, made contributions all their lives to the (iovermuent revenues, and thus have a right to demand of the < ioverninent an existence in old age without the taint of pauperism. This bill which 1 have introduced makes the pension fund a national charge, and no contribution is demanded from the pensioner. The receipt of an old-age pension does not deprive its tecipicnt of any franchise, right or privilege, nor does it intlict upon him any disability whatever. It is not a measure of charity ; it is a measure of justice. It is a legis- lation inspired by the spirit of humanity—yes—but also by economy and good business judgment, for it works good to all and evil to none. It is a legislation which will assuage misery ami reduce agony, bringing peace and comfort to those who need it most and have earned it best. It is a legislation 10 protect the weak and the needy, not by appeal to pity, but l'\ an appeal to right and justice. It is a legislation which aims to carry cut that fundamental purpose for which this (ioverninent was founded— the promotion of the common welfare. Present industrial conditions demand our action. The great mass of workers are precluded by pitiless necessity from laying up funds to pro- \ide for old age. Ineniplovnicnt. sickness, accident are ever close at hand, and the coining of any one of them means tragedy. It means the use of any surplus, ami more ofltinics debt, ami the debt which generally follows such misfortune hangs like a dead weight about the neck of labor. I realize that the disease should also he treated as well as the symp- toms, anil that this hill has no necessary relation with the cure of the dis- tasc which makes poverty in old age inevitable. (>ther measures must deal with that question, but in this we can relieve present-day evils, and that is also a worthy aim of legislation and statesmanship. None of the plans proposed, aside from old-age pensions, can meet the need. The public charity system is inadefptalc and unjust. In the poorluniscs of the country the upright, honest and industrious man or woman is placed with those whose vicious lives have brought them to poverty and disease. This hill enacted into law would abolish the crime of old age and would give to accumulated years of faithfulness its due tribute of reward and support. SUFFRAGE WORK IN HUNGARY AT WAR TIME City Government Appeals tor 500 Women ae Street Sweepers. The Suffrage Association of Hungary, with headquarters at lluda- pest, decided that instead of opening a Red Cross branch they would devote their efforts to an employment bureau to find work for women who were without means of support since their husbands had gone to the war. The first order they had was from the city government for 500 women street swee|>crs to clean up the streets of Uudapcst. IMPORTANT NOTICE! The Nashville Equal Suffrage League wixhes to announce that it will be pleased to provide free hospitality to all Maryland dele- gates to the National Convention. All communications regarding hospitality should be sent to Mrs. John M. Kenny, 70s Slahlman Building, Nashville, Tenn. EVENTS OF THE WEEK. Monday, October 26. Regular meeting of Anne Arundel County J. G. I., at Annapolis ut .11'. M. Tuesday, October 27. Suffrage Bazaar Luncheon at 17 W. Saratoga street at 1 P. M. (Subscription 25 cents.) Open lia/aor meeting at same address at 2 P. M. J. G. L Executive Committee meeting at headquarters at :l..'IO P. M. Suffrage "At Home" at J. G. I.. Headquarters at I P. M. Speaker—Mr. (.en. I,. Jones. Hostess—Miss Rosamond Smith. Friday, October .10. Hallowe'en Party at J. G. L Headquarters at K P. M. Mrs. \\ m. P. Holmes, Chairman. "THE COUNTRY STORE" Ladies! remember the Country Store. We have some things, but we want lots more. A barrel of sugar would please us much. Coffee and lard and tea and such; Crackers in boxes and crackers in tins. Flour to fill up several bins. Fruit of all kinds may be sent, please note. By farmers who wish their wives to vote. We want some pumpkins (they make a good show). And lots of eggs, for their price is not low. I lams and tongues will also be seen, And don't forget peppers, red and green. Spices and pickles, and canned goods, too, If you can't send many, send us n few. Even a half a pound of tea Will help on the Cause of Liberty. So send a card NOW, with a right good will. To Mrs. Zorndnrf, at Cntonsville. Articles for the Country Store may be sent to the old Fifth Regiment Armory any day after October 26. PHOEBE S. ALLNUTT. SOLID MAHOGANY WASTE BASKET $3.00 ONE of the useful small pieces of furni ure es- pecially suitable fur u.ins to be found here. Stronjfly made of mahogany with neat inlaid lines —it makes an at- tractive addition to the fur- nishings of any room. Pleam mention the Suffrage News. po LLACK Howard and Saratoga Sts. FOR COMFORT Sleslnger's Orthopedic Shoes •4.00 and Up 106 North Charles CLEAN MILK Pikesville Dairy Branch THE CITY DAIRY COMPANY 1501-13 Arjryle Avenue. Telephone, Madison 2222. Baltimore's Biggest Best Store HOWARD"»tIXINGTONSTS BALTIMORE, MD. High Grade Merchandise at Popular Prices Everything lor Peraonil Wear and Houaehold Uie HELP the c»m«e.—Mention the Maryland Suffrage Newa Whan Patronizing Our Aovertlaera.