Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-16
unemployed Conference" in
Capital Draws Delegates
From Over U. S.
LEADERS HOPE TO MEET
WITH HOOVER THIS WEEK
Six-Hour Day and Five-Day Week,
With 0ld-Age Pension Law,
Are Sought by Group.

Here to confer with members Of Con-
gresS and Government onacials concern
ing present unemployment conditions,
approximately $50 representatives of the
unemployed from all parts Of the coun-
try are holding an international unem-
ployed conference in this city at SOC G
street, under the auspices Of q national
committee that is in part the outgrowth
Of the International Brotherhood We'll
fare Association.
A brief business session was held yes
terday, after which q committee called
on several Senators and Representa-
tives. Another session will be held at
II o'clock this morning. Representa-
tives Of the conference will confer Nom
day morning with Senator Wagner of
New York regarding proposed legisla-
ton to help the unemployed.
"HobOes" Attend.
Many so-called "hoboes," including
DR.. James Eads How, the millionaire
hobo" Of Los Angeles, are attending the
conference, but 1t was made clear at
yesterday session that this is not Tho
boeS' convention" There are about so
delegates here representing unemploy-
ment conferences In other cities, and
the remainder Of those who are at
tending the meetings are trades-union-
lists. Some so Of the audience yesterday
were unemployed persons Of this city,
while the remainder were from the va
rious States.
A telegram to President Hoover, ask
ing him to receive q committee OF the
conference, was sent by the national
committee Of unemployed from its head
quarters at Cincinnati Friday, but no
reply has been received. The officers
Of the conference expect to send dele
cation to the White House this week
in the hope of meeting the President.
Paul Dennie of Philadelphia was
elected chairman of the conference at
yesterdays meeting and Jack Renault
OF Montana, secretary. Mr.. Renault
calls himself not merely "hobo," but
migratory worker" of whom he
says there are more than 10000 doing
the necessary work Of harvesting grain
crops, picking fruit, cutting timber In
the woods and assisting In other sea-
sonal occupations all over the country.
Mr.. Dennie said he spoke in behalf of
175,000 unemployed persons In Phila-
delphia alone.
OId-Age Pension Sought.
Mr.. Renault, who is the national or
ganizer for the International Brother
hood Welfare Association, explained
last night that the conference now in
session here is not af1liated in any way
with the Communist party, although
unemployed Communists are welcome
at the meetings the same as any one
else who represents an unemployed
group.
The conference, he explained, Is ask
ing for an old-age pension law, Govern
ment compensation for the unemployed,
six-hour work day and a f1ve-day
week, new cabinet oflcer to be called
the immediate relief OF the present
situation by the pushing Of Government
construction work everywhere.
Among these with whom the COM
mittee conferred at the Capitol yester-
day were Senator Wagner of New York
and Senator Brookhart of Iowa. The
committee consisted of DR.. How, Mr..
Dennie, Mr.. Renault, william Hill Of
this city, John Kearns Of Trenton, N.
j., and Daniel O'Brien of New York.
After the conference with Senator Wag--
I1er on Monday the delegates expect to
draft a resolution setting forth their
views on q specific plan to relieve the
present condition Of Unemployment and
provide permanent relief
The meeting yesterday was lively.
Many delegates related their expert
ences and told of conditions in their
parts of the country. A Jungle" lunch
OF cheese, bologna sandwiches fruit and
coffee was provided by DR.. How.
The conference plans to hold an en-
tertainment tomorrow afternoon and
evening at SOC G street, when, among
other things, there will be old-time hobo
songs and poetry, and stories will be
told OF the inside life of the hobo"
now called by the more respectable
name Of migratory worker"