Ogden Standard Examiner EDITORIALS Jany 28th 1955 For the Aged and Aging Sen. Arthur V. Watkins of Utah is one of 50 Senators joining Sen. Charles E. Potter (R. Mich.) in sponsoring a bill (S. 693) to establish a U. S. commission on the aging and aged. The bill asks Congress to recognize that an increasing large proportion of our population consists of persons past middle age and the implications of this fact require wise action if the general welfare is to be served. The fact that 50 Senators, Republicans and Democrats alike, favor the legislation reflects the widespread agreement among the lawmakers that in the matter of the aging and the aged there are serious problems to be studied. Sen. Potter listed some of the significant facts as follows Since 1900 the population of the nation has doubled but the number of older people has quadrupled. There are now more than 14 million persons 65 years of age and over in the population. By 1970 the number will be 21 million. Every day 3,000 more persons become 65, but 2,000 persons in the age group die, leaving a net gain of 1,000 a day. Old people are living longer. The average expectancy for men at 65 is 12 and one half more years, for women 14 and one half more years. There are 7,500,000 widows in the U. S. and half of these are 6 years or older. With the increasing number of older people, our Nation experiences a growing proportion of lowincome families. Five million families are headed by persons 65 or over. Of these 43 per cent have yearly cash incomes of less than 1,500; 30 per cent have incomes of under 1,000, and 15 per cent have incomes of less than 500. Sen. Potter relates that the hiring and firing of older workers should be examined. Housing and recreation for the oldsters should be studied and also the health facilities for the elderly. The Senator believes our Government has an obligation to address itself to the social and economic implications of what is happening to the population, but he urges that paternalism be avoided. If the bill is passed, a commission of 10 will be appointed to direct the studies and make recommendations. Those chosen for the assignments will have challenging assignments but their rewards will be high if they find ways to increase the health and happiness of our senior citizens.