Show A released Be leased by western newspaper union ONE OUT OF FIVE AMERICANS GETS government PAY PAT THERE WERE people americans as late as last november 1 receiving all or a part of their living the cost of their food shelter and clothing from the united states government there is something radically wrong when such a condition can exis exist t in this the wealthiest nation in the world a nation in which chic h is concentrated 50 per cent of the purchasing power of the entire world more than one fifth of all of the americans are either working for or being assisted by the federal government of that vast number that people americans were in the armed forces of the united states on an november 1 to these we are this year adding more as conscripts for a defense army the federal government civilian payrolls on november 1 carried a total of employees of which the executive department accounted for the legislative branch for and the judicial for 2441 pensions and unemployment insurance were being paid to people of which only were military pensions there are in the unit united ed states approximately farms and government checks went to of these as payment for not raising certain crops on the relief rolls and including those receiving other forms of government assistance were cases representing individuals vi other items bring the total up to that individuals americans whose cost of living is provided in whole or in part by the federal government to make it complete to this vast total should be added the employees and the recipients of assistance from municipal county and state governments I 1 have no knowledge as to what that number may be but it would run into the millions all of which is paid or charged against the self supporting americans americans as a people are not heartless we sympathize with and are always willing to assist those who through either misfortune or in inability J are unable to provide for themselves but we resent being imposed upon today the self supporting family of four is providing for six people are we asking too much from the government are we contributing to the indolence of our fellow americans are we sabotaging ourselves it is time to investigate time to ascertain definitely and honestly just who needs and who does not need assistance how much of government we need and how much is superfluous frills our legislators will respond quickly to an aroused public opinion will we as a proved self supporting charitable people express that opinion |