The Statistical Survey of the Massachusetts Commission Investigating the Question of Old Age Pensions

In recent years there has been a strong movement in several states looking toward the establishment of an old age pension law for the general population. Montana, Nevada, and Pennsylvania in 1923, and Wisconsin in 1925, passed such laws. In 1923 in the Massachusetts legislature there was a strong attempt made to pass an old age pension bill, and in order to determine how much such a law would cost, the legislature provided for the creation of a special commission to consider the problem and to estimate the cost. Former insurance commissioner Frank H. Hardison was chairman of this commission. The other members were Professor A. A. Young, Chairman of the Department of Economics at Harvard University, Mrs. William G. Dwight of Holyoke, Mr. C. J. Mahoney of Boston, and Mr. Royal Robbins of Brookline. The report was submitted Nov. 2, 1925.