Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-19
GOV. PINCHOT ASKS
CALL TO CONGRESS
Pennsylvania Requests Ac-
ton at Once to Relieve
Unemployed.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
HARRISBURG, Pa, August 10
Gov Pinchot today sent a letter to
President Hoover urging him to call
special session Of Congress in the near
future to consider the question of Fed
eral aid to provide relief for the I'M
employed.
''Ycu have yourself asked for ap-
preparations by Congress for relief OF
the needy in distant parts Of the world.
the Governor wrote, "and. having OBJ
tanned them, have supervised their ex-
penditure. 1t would seem to be most
opportune that you should do no less
for our own needy here at home. Only
an extra session OF Congress can en-
power you to do so in time
The total number of unemployed in
Pennsylvania is more than 900 900, or
nearly one-quarter Of the whole work
ing population" Gov. PiIichot wrote.
Wages are decreasing; distress in many
counties is acute: many children are
suffering from partial starvation. be-
cause of unemployment the hospitals
are ver-burdened, and the demand for
charity shows no decrease since Sum
mer over the high record of last Winter.
vital as World War.
"A situation like this in State like
Pennsylvania leads many TO bslieve that
the present emery sncy is as vital TO the
people as the great war" the letter said.
Local private charity can rot meet the
need. Local public relief which should
carry the bulk of the load is hampered
or ham-strung like relief rom State.
by constitutional limitations upon ap-
preparations and borrowing, and by the
inability of taxpayers TO pag.
L am compelled by the necessities Of
my people TO urge that you call an extra
session Of Congress" he continued.
The regular session of Congress does
not meet until December After the
two houses have organized. many sub
iects of grave and pressing importance,
including relief for people across the
sea. will demand immediate attention.
Because of them Congress may not
be able TO consider with promptness,
much less act quickly upon the qusS-
ton Of Federal help, But even II ap-
preparations for relief at home could
be debated. passed and approved by
Christmas, they would still he too late
fer the machinery Of distribution 10 be
organized throughout the Nation in
time to prevent Widespread suffering
and the probability Of serious disorder.
For these reasons ] urge upon you,
with all the emphasis Ct which I am
capable, not only the calling If an extra
session Of Congress for the purpose Of
meeting this national emergency, but
the calling OF II at the earliest possible
date. Already the time is very short.
Urgent Needs Put First.
The calling Of an extra session will
be opposed by politicians as inexpedient.
Il VIII be condemned by large taxpayers
as likely TO cost them money It will
be deplored by those who refuse TO ad-
NIT the obvious facts Of the present
situation. But every such considera-
ton is swept aside by the urgent need
Of our people
Because this question IS o. grave
consequence TO millions Of our people.
] have taken the liberty Of making this
letter public
The Governor said that social agen-
cieS in Pennsylvania had raised sll.-
200 900 for 1881. that special lnemplov-
ment relief funds had added So 600. 600
and that every effort will br made to
raise s5.00o,o00 more this Fal
We intend 70 neglect rothtng in
Pennsylvania to secure every possible
penny from private charity and COM
munity assistance But when that IS
done 10 the limit OF our ability. hun
oreas OF thousands win go hungrv next
Winter unless the Federal Government
steps IN. And II they do 20 hungry.
the consequences viii not stop with
those VINO are allowed to Starve"