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March of the Townsendites: Words and Music by U. S. A. Heggbolm, Max Bates, and Harmon Charles.

Detroit, Mich.: The National Recovery Music Publishing Co., 1940. 4to (30 cm), pictorial yellow wrappers, song on back wrapper. 3 pp., including one loose leaf (as issued) and inside of back wrapper. Pencil ownership inscription on front wrapper reading “Ellen A. Coolidge.”.

Apparently unrecorded Great Depression era sheet music related to the establishment of Social Security.

This rousing social activist song includes such lyrics as: “Millions of patriots march along - Tramp, tramp - Swinging along to a vict’ry song - It’s a fight for the right - For Americans never fail - With a light heart and a heavy dinner pail.” The back wrapper features the anthem “America”, by Samuel Francis Smith. A note at the bottom reads: “Records of this song and TALKS by DR. Townsend are AVAILABLE.”

The Townsendite movement was founded by Francis Everitt Townsend, a doctor and public health director whose portrait appears on the front wrapper. In 1933, Townsend proposed the Old Age Revolving Pension Plan, precursor to the Social Security act of 1935, which promoted the idea of a $200.00 monthly pension for every person over 60, financed by a Federal tax on commercial transactions. In spite of establishment resistance, 5,000 “Townsend Clubs” with 5 million members mobilized and pressured FDR to create a Social Security program for the elderly; Townsend was disappointed by the result and continued to fight for a better pension plan. The lyrics were written in part by U. S. A. [Uno Sylvanus Augustus] Heffblom, an anti-war Republican.

Not in OCLC.

CONDITION: Good, lightly worn and soiled.

Item #5339

Price: $375.00