The Indianapolis times., 1931-12-31
Relief or Starvation

The question of fighting starvation with federal
money has emerged in the last three days from the
realm Of emotion and prejudice to place where it
be studied in the light of exact fact and expert
opinion.
The senate manufacturers committee has ques-
toned eleven leading social workers the extent
restitution, the local resources available, and the
need for federal aid. Not of the eleven see
any way of getting through the coming winter with
out federal aid, though many of them expressed this
opinion reluctantly.
Their own words tell the story:
"This is the most serious human problem we ever
have faced" said William Hodson executive director
of the welfare council of New York City. "The
specter of starvation faces millions who have never
known before what it was to be up against it,
People can starve long time without dying,
and that is what they doing now, on the made
quate relief we can give" said j. Prentice Murphy
executive director of the children's bureau of Pha
delphia.
1--WE estimate there are 100000 families in this
country dependent on relief at the present time, "
said Samuel A. Goldsmith, executive director of jew
ish charities of Chicago. ITO keep them alive we
need 55OOO0 900 month"; or between $60OOoOOOO and
300 100000 for the year.
"We found one school where SO per cent of the
children were 10 per cent more under weight" !"
service committee
"From all parts of the country come reports of
serious Impairment of public health, due to malnuri-
tion" said Linton v. Swift executive secretary OF
the Family Welfare Association of America
And what money is available to meet this appalling
condition calling for expenditure of from $6o0OO0OOO
to $8OOOOOOoO?
"The 400 Community Chest drives all over the
country WILL if successful, provide only $S5OOOOOO
for direct relief of the unemployed" Allen T. Burns
executive director of the Association of Community
Chests and Councils, testified
"Suryevine forty-one relief agencies in large
number of states in the last few weeks, we 1ouno
they need $264OO0OO to give the same relief they
have given in 1881, and they have IN Slght only
S166OO OO0" Swift reported.
"An our money will be gone by Feb. l5," said
Goldsmith of Chicago eff get funds from the
state we still will be $10,0O0,000 short"
From Jacob Billikopf, executive director OF the
Federation of Jewish Charities of Philadelphia: All
the citys money will be gone by May l. Money we
might receive from the state would last only until
July"
ONLY New York City reported that it could keep
its people from starving to death, but not from
starving.
And what is to be done? Witness after witness
told of real estate confscated for denquencies,
and the accompanying IaAuIe VI Aoeo' 00 A' =
borrowing capacities reached of bonds that can not
be Sold
"Federal relief decidedly will most be neeoeo'
said Burns, one of Hoover's advisers.
"Resnonsbility for indigency is primarily gov
eminent function first local government, then state
then federal, when other means fall said Frank
Bane until recently of the Presidents unemployment
committee. Numerous localities will have to have
outside aid"
"Your bills cone proposing $25oOOO0oO the other
3750OOOOO appropriation are very conservative
These are the minimum amounts for federal help.
said Billikopf.
arhose who do not favor federal aid" said Karl
De Schweinitz executive director of the Community
Council of Philadelphia, must show where else the
money is coming from