| The Townsend Plan Movement | ||
|---|---|---|
| This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA. | Tape Master: | 1791 |
| Catalog #: | 502885 | |
| Clip Number: | 502885-1 | |
| Orginal Film: | HFR-SFL-35-139 | |
| Timecode: | 01:18:49 - 01:22:06 | |
| Location: | United States | |
| Year Shot: | 1935 (Estimated Year) | |
| Audio: | Yes | |
| Color: | No | |
| Headings: | AGE GROUP/SENIORS: Misc GREAT DEPRESSION: Recovery LOCATIONS/NORTH AMERICA: USA POLITICS: United States | |
| Description: | Master 1791 - Tape 1 MS sign: "Townsend Plan, Noon Meeting Every Wednesday. Learn the Truth." Excellent MS two frail elderly white women entrenched in classic trappings of old women's wear, standing on roadside, one woman sticking out thumb-- yes, that's right, these senior citizens are hitchhiking! TLS Townsend Hall (Northern California State Headquarters) in San Francisco, California, white adult pedestrians passing storefront. CU older white man w/ healthy thatch of white hair on pate squinting, listening to something off-screen. MS three well-dressed white women (one quite obese) walking up stairs, taking landing onto meeting hall. MS three elderly whet women walking gingerly up stairs, one using handrail. MS three older white men wearing wool suits & fedoras taking landing, entering meeting hall. MS sign: "The Townsend Old Age Pensions $200 a month for all persons over 60 yrs of age to be spent within 30 days thereafter." CU portrait photograph of Dr. Francis E. Townsend. MS sign: "This plan will restore the purchasing power of the people, thus reviving trade & industry, to the benefit of all." MS U.S. Senator SHERIDAN DOWNEY (D-CA) delivering speech regarding Townsend Plan at Townsend Hall, San Francisco, California, backdrop of American flag: "Word has just come to us from the state of Michigan-- (edit) -- Dr. Townsend & pledge to the Townsend Plan one out in the Republican Primary." MS sleepy-eyed elderly white man in tweed suit & slender bow tie standing at meeting: " Do my wife & I both get the pension?" Senator Sheridan Downey replies in the affirmative. Great C/A sleepy-eyed old man & wife seated in audience, looking like an accountant's version of American Gothic. MS elderly white women wearing dark coat w/ fur trim asking, "I'm over 70. How long will I have to wait to get the pension?" MS Sen. Downey replying, "If we all continue to do our part, we should be able to elect the next Congress of the U.S., and the Townsend Plan should follow soon after that." MS/CUs unidentified elderly white man expressing concern over irresponsibility of Townsend Plan proposal: "When will these good people, & millions like them, realize that they are being duped? The idea of involving one-half the national income annually in a pension scheme is wild." Excellent MS two frail elderly white women standing on roadside, one woman sticking out thumb-- yes, that's right, these senior citizens are hitchhiking! MS/CUs Townsend Plan founder Dr. FRANCIS TOWNSEND (Francis Everett Townsend, Francis E. Townsend) sitting & working at desk in study. MS Dr. Francis Townsend sitting and talking with Earl Clemens: "Well, Earl, now that you've thought it over & studied my figures, what do you think?" "I've searched the library & have proven the plan economically sound. It's a great idea and we can put it over. We'll call it the Townsend Plan. What do you say?" "Fine." MSs writer & political upstart UPTON SINCLAIR sitting at desk with hands over face in anguish, lowering them & then playing with cigarette case. MS U.S. Senator HUEY LONG delivering animated speech. MS Father CHARLES COUGHLIN speechifying from platform marked by U.S. flag, reading from prepared speech. TLS retired USMC Commandant SMEDLEY D. BUTLER wearing shirtsleeves & suspenders, delivering animated speech to crowd of WWI veterans at outdoor rally. The early days of the National Union of Social Justice. | |
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