Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 240, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1913 — ONE IN TWENTY A PAUPER [ARTICLE]

ONE IN TWENTY A PAUPER

Old Age Pension Law Telle Appalling . £tory of British Poverty. ' London. —The first three weeks ot the Old Age Pension law, which became operative on January 1, developed the appalling fact that one person in every twenty in England and Wales is a pauper. In London the ratio is one in fourteen, and the figures gathered tell such a story of national poverty that the Government is believed to be in danger. The Liberals are fast becoming unpopular for their forcing of the act upon the country, as it is already manifest the pensions will greatly increase the tax rate. More than 500,000 persons have been found eligible for old-age pensions, and it Is expected this total within the next few months will reach 690,000. Figures compiled within the last few weeks and given to the public to-day give a population to England and Wales of 34,945,600. The number of paupers is 1,709,436, while 2,209,436 receive Government aid, either as paupers or old-age pensioners. While one person in twenty is listed as a pauper, with paupers and old-age pensioners combined, the figures*stand at one to ..sixteen. One person in fourteen in London is a pauper exclusive of the pensioners. The Old Age Pension law has many restrictions, so that it does not reveal the full extent of the national penury. A full pension of $1.20 goes only to those over 70 years of age, and who have never accepted charity and who never have been in prison. There are about a dozen minor disabilities, yet despite all restrictions 500,000 persons are registered for full or partial penslohs. The Socialists are making capital out of the condition, and the LaborItes also are turning It to their political advantage. Many newspapers also are using the situation as an argument in favor of a high protective tariff. The old-age pensions have become the ruling problem of politics, and the Conservatives are confident the revelations of .the last few weeks will lead to their early return to power.