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Letter to Editor
December 26, 1935
The Ronan Pioneer
Ronan, Lake County, Montana
What is this article about?
Carl A. Ahlgreen rebuts General Hugh Johnson's criticism of the Townsend old-age pension plan, arguing it is self-funding via a 2% transaction tax and questions the accountability of existing relief expenditures. (178 characters)
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Full Text
COMMUNICATION
I see by the daily papers where general Hugh Johnson made an address in Missoula, in regard to the Townsend plan. Johnson said this is no laughing matter, it is one of the saddest things before the American people. The Government has an income of forty billion dollars. At the end of the year, there would be only money enough left to pay the Townsend pension and Government employees.
He stated the plan is impractical and impossible and that right today some people are spending their life savings in belief that next year they will be drawing $200.00 a month pension. The situation is pathetic.
Let me say this about the Townsend plan. It does not ask for one cent from the Government's income. The Townsend plan will be self supporting with the two per cent transaction tax. What have we today, the processing tax on wheat, cotton, hogs, etc. Who is paying these taxes? The consumers, of course, so will the consumers be paying for the Townsend plan.
I would like to know who is paying and will pay for all the relief money spent in various forms, and thrown in the lap of the corporations in the U. S. without giving any security. If Mr. Johnson could not handle the Townsend plan any better than he handled the N. R. A., of course it would never work.
The Townsend followers are spending 25 cents to join and 10 cents per month for dues. If that is what General Johnson calls a life savings it is well spent to get the Townsend plan to become law.
CARL A. AHLGREEN.
I see by the daily papers where general Hugh Johnson made an address in Missoula, in regard to the Townsend plan. Johnson said this is no laughing matter, it is one of the saddest things before the American people. The Government has an income of forty billion dollars. At the end of the year, there would be only money enough left to pay the Townsend pension and Government employees.
He stated the plan is impractical and impossible and that right today some people are spending their life savings in belief that next year they will be drawing $200.00 a month pension. The situation is pathetic.
Let me say this about the Townsend plan. It does not ask for one cent from the Government's income. The Townsend plan will be self supporting with the two per cent transaction tax. What have we today, the processing tax on wheat, cotton, hogs, etc. Who is paying these taxes? The consumers, of course, so will the consumers be paying for the Townsend plan.
I would like to know who is paying and will pay for all the relief money spent in various forms, and thrown in the lap of the corporations in the U. S. without giving any security. If Mr. Johnson could not handle the Townsend plan any better than he handled the N. R. A., of course it would never work.
The Townsend followers are spending 25 cents to join and 10 cents per month for dues. If that is what General Johnson calls a life savings it is well spent to get the Townsend plan to become law.
CARL A. AHLGREEN.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Economic Policy
Politics
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Townsend Plan
Hugh Johnson
Transaction Tax
Pensions
Nra
Relief Spending
Economic Policy
What entities or persons were involved?
Carl A. Ahlgreen
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Carl A. Ahlgreen
Main Argument
the townsend plan is self-supporting through a two percent transaction tax paid by consumers, similar to existing processing taxes, and is a better alternative to current government relief spending without security; general hugh johnson's criticism is dismissed, noting his poor handling of the n.r.a.
Notable Details
References General Hugh Johnson's Address In Missoula Criticizing The Townsend Plan As Impractical
Mentions Government Income Of Forty Billion Dollars And Potential Depletion For Pensions And Employees
Highlights Followers Spending 25 Cents To Join And 10 Cents Monthly Dues