Townsend bill plan dishonest sponsor tells house committee. Washington, D.C., Feb. 2. Rep. Harry Sheppard, left, democrat of California, today told the House Ways and Means Committee he was 'washed up' with the Townsend Old-Age Pension Organization because he did not believe it was functioning on an 'honest basis'. Sheppard, who introduced the Townsend Bill in the last session of Congress, urged approval of a new measure sponsored by the General Welfare Federation of America. He is pictured with Thomas E. Boorde, center, president of the General Welfare Federation, and Arthur L. Johnson, secretary of the organization, 2-2-39