Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-11
CRITICISM MADE
ON TALK OF DOLE
Communications Indicate
ParIeys Are Tending to
Impair Confidence.
BY DAVID LAwRENcE.

Considerable criticism Is being ex-
pressed III different parts OF the coun-
try, according To letters received here,
OF the tactics VI the administration
la talking about the dole" and the
efforts being made To ward it of, Oh
the expectation that next Winter VIII
be more severe thsh its predecessor.
Some OF the criticism is undisguiSed
curiosity, which seeks TO determine II
the administration really believes un-
employment will be rs bad rs predicted
OF whether scare" tactics are being
used 10 help relief organize tions to be-
GIN TO collect contributions
1t has been no secret that many ad-
miniStrati0n officials have believed
business would get better long before
any amterial reduction would be made
in the number OF unemployed But 1t
has been unexplained why iII Midsum-
mer the administration has begun itS
attack On tlIS ''dole." Judging from
communicat ionS received here, the
conference ON the dole" have had the
effect of impairfng confidence at a
time when business men were looking
forward hopefully to next Autumn as
squirt which would help To build up
confidence.
Advisers Beset President.
Some of the critics express the view
that IL Is probably an example Of the
administrations ineptitude IN handling
public psychology since Tie depression
began either minimizing the amount
of unemployment for fear OF political
effect In the congressional elections Of
1892 or shaking confidence by ac-
cepting the philosophy Of the groups
who want ~ fight all imaginary OPP
position supposed " be brewing III
Congress la favor OF a dole.
There Is no doubt that people away
from Washlnst ton are likely " become
impa tiSnt with the marcurial announce
ments from the National Capital, but
the truth l. that the President Is beset
With would-be advisers who have
warned him that unless steps are taken
now, his hold Oh congressional expendi-
lures may be tenuCus.
As for the dole, most members Of
Congress don't relish it any more than
DOGS thu administration, bus At the same
time they are not particular whether
relief comts from private OF pubic
agencies, 50 long as 1t prevents suffer-
ing.
II by q dole" Is meant the handing
out Of sums 10 people who dont work,
then corporal's guard could not be
marshalled Tor IL la Congress. But II
by dole" is meant handing out food
and clothing Just as was done last
Winter through organized relief
agencies. then everybody here wants 1t
continued, no matter by what name II
is called The argument over food re-
lief Ia the Arkansas drought contro-
VerSy left most members VI Congress
beWildered anyhow as 10 the difference,
SO far as the recipient Is concerned, II
food and shelter are provided for al
emergency period.
More Efficient Work Seen.
There is, Of course, distinct preju-
dice against the use Of Federal funds
| for relief. This Is felt To be n function
Of States and communities
With the lower costs Of food, con-
tributions next Winter should take care
vi more people than last year II Is
estimated that 1000 O00 may be out vi
work. but there is n0 thought that any
such number Will need aid.
Relief work next season ought to bt
much mofE efficient because Of the eX-
perience gained last Winter Nothing
has been disclosed thus far from ad-
ministration sources OF anywhere else
which would justify the impression
that next Winter viii prove amy more
diflcult to handle than last Winter
and the impression is beginning " grow
that the dole conferences are Mid
summer state VI mind Induced by The
| fear Of what Congress might do II pri-
! vate relief agencies don't get busy aIIo
| begin TO raise money for unemployment
| relief.