SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[trader this heading we notice such Books of the week as have not beat reserved for review in other forms.] Old-Age Dependency in the United States. By Lee Welling Squier. (Macmillan and Co. 6s. 0d. net.)—The agitation for old-age pensions in the United Kingdom appears to have produced some sort of corresponding movement in the United States. This movement is described by Mr. Squier, who has evidently become an enthusiast for non-contributory State pensions. He says he began his investigation into the problem as an opponent of Socialism, but tho logic of facts has driven him to the conclusion., that the State must provide a peniioa for all persons who find themselves destitute or partially destitute in old age. We have no means of chocking Mr. Squier's statements, but people who imagine that the industrial classes are all flourishing in the United States will be somewhat surprised to learn that, according to Mr. Squier, "approximal e'y 1,250,000 of the people of the United States above 65 years of age are dependent upon public •
and private charity." He goes on to state that the indications are that the proportions of indigent old people are increasing. His definite proposal is for the establishment of State pensions at the age of 60. He prudently refrains from giving an estimate of what the cost would be.
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