Richard McNear: “I don’t think this has any bearing

Richard McNear: “I don’t think this has any bearing on the taxes we pay. Funds have been allocated for this purpose and if not spent here will be spent elsewhere.” “That’s what’s wrong with the country now,” Buswell insited. “If it would reduce taxes, I might feel differently, too,” admitted Pete Luke. “But if we didn’t take advantage of it, the funds would just be redistributed. Then, as a businessman, I want to get my share of it. As regards the food stamp program, is there any screening to eliminate people on welfare?”

No, said Ms. Clark. “No questions are asked. Congress adopted the program for all older people.”

BUSWELL FINALLY found a supporter, “people who get Food Stamps already get more than they need,” said Alvin Lohr.

“Isn’t this a trial program that will be evaluated later?” asked John B. Adams. “It’s only been four months,” added Brown, “let’s give it a full year trial. I think it can be beneficial. As a group, elderly people are one of the most nutritionally deprived groups in America.”

Some are victims of the system,” added McNear.

“I’d rather spend money like this than in trying to rehabilitate al-‘ coholics,” said Pete Luke. “Idon’t think they’ve ever rehabilitated one.” He expressed concern that the schools were not being of more help in the program. “I don’t know how we can prevail on the schools to use the facilities for things like this.”

STAN HAWORTH of Warrenton asked how much “per head” per meal was allocated. He was told the figure is $1.50. Replied Haworth: “Well, we’re conservative thinkers, and it’s just not practical to do it at that price.”

But Billy Mitchell liked Luke’s point about under-utilization of school buildings, adding his passionate little speech in favor of compassion for the elderly. Brown followed with a motion to approve; only Fred Buswell voted “no.”D