"I say it is wicked to compel us," he stated in evidence, "to maintain out of our local rates these old people who ought to be a charge--as I have said hundreds of times, and repeat--for the whole metropolis or for the nation rather than the locality. These industrial veterans are thrust upon us in Poplar to maintain, notwithstanding that most of the wealth they created has been enjoyed by people who live elsewhere, and thus escape their share of the burden of maintaining their old workers in old age. But because this unjust state of things exists, are we, with a full sense of our responsibility, to tell these broken-down old workers that we refuse to bear the burden ourselves, and that they must do the best they can?" Then followed a rapid fire of questions and answers between himself and the legal representative of the Poplar Municipal Alliance. _Q._--Is not that rather a dangerous doctrine? If local authorities generally allowed their sympathies to carry them into acts not contemplated by their constitution and their powers, what do you think the general result would be? _A._--It _is_ contemplated by our constitution. We are here to relieve distress. We are created for that purpose. _Q._--Do you say there is any machinery or power in the Poor Law which authorises you to give allowances which are, in fact, old age pensions to these people? _A._--It allows us to give out-door relief. You can call it what you like.... We cannot refuse to give people help and assistance in old age. _Q._--I am not quarrelling for a moment with the proposition in the abstract; I am quarrelling with your method of carrying it out in your local machinery. _A._--Tell me what you would do--leave them to starve on the streets? _Q._--I suggest, is it not a dangerous doctrine for local authorities to exceed their statutory powers? _A._--I assure you we have never done anything of the kind, and I challenge you to prove it. _Q._--I ask you to show me any authority for a grant continuously of, say, ten shillings a week to these old people? _A._--The Local Government Board issued an order dealing with the matter. The Inspector:--You rely on Mr. Chaplin's circular? _A._--Yes, with regard to the treatment of the aged and deserving poor. That circular reads:--