Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-25

tons over the country interested in rails
Ing money for relief in order that there
may be Nationwide appeal. 1t Is not
an appeal for a national fund, but for
maximum local funds"
Mr.. Clifford made this announcement
yesterday afternoon as ne took over the
task assigned to him by President Hoo
yer OF mobilizing unemp eyment relief
agencies. He expressed complete con-
fidence in the success of the organiza-
ton, saying The idealism and high
purpose of the American people will not
permit of failure"
The new organization was set up with
Offices on the seventh floor of the Com
merce Department Building. It's suite
adjoins that of Secretary Lamont and
was formerly occupied by the Presidents
Emergency Committee Ter Employment,
which has been merged with the new
advisory body.
The reorganized agency will be known
as the Presidents Organization on On
employment Relief. The Presidents
Emergency Committees staff and
equipment was taken over by Fred c..
Croxton, who has been its acting chair
man and who Is now assistant director
uLder Mr.. Clifford.
Relief State Responsibility.
President Hoover has directed Mr..
Clifford to use his Judgment both as to
organization and method, and has
pledged him the full support OF the
administration. Mr. Clifford said he
would proceed under the policy, upon
which he and Mr.. Hoover are in
thorough accord, that relief Is es-
sentially the responsibility of the States
and local communities.
The appeal for funds viii be made to
private sources. with no idea of a direct
contribution by the Federal Treasury.
At q press conference the relief
director said his agency was an organi-
zation for action, to assist in building
up adequate relief for distress over the
Winter, by cooperation with all
agencies.
The President" he said, ''has set Its
foundation in all national groups and /
have undertaken to direct 1t. Our task
Is to fight distress arising from unem-
pioyment.'
When President Hoover appointed
Mr.. Clifford. who is president of the
American Telephone e. Telegraph Co.,
last week he named an Advisory Com
mittee of so representative men
throughout the country to cooperate
with the relief director.
The director explained that further
members Of the Advisory Committee
win be appointed, so as to cover each
State, and viii be made up in three
Committee to Consult.
'The first" he explained, has mem
bers representative Of national welfare
bodies and industrial organizations
These members win be called in to
consult from time to time and CO.
ordinated action will be worked out.
The second group Of members are
those who viii represent this Organiza-
ton in each State. Such representa-
tives will be appointed shortly. These
men will represent our organization in
contacts with activities within each
State.
The third group Of members in the
Advisory Commute are, in a sense,
members at large. who will be called
upon for advice. individually and
through subcommittee, which we shall
set up TO examine programs and plans
for employment and relief. Somewhat
later the views and attention of the
whole advisory body will be required"
Parallel with setting up our organi-
zation," he continued. cit will be neces-
sary to determine the load which will
have to- be met during the forthcoming
Winter. Much has already been done
toward determining facts and also in
promoting the organization of local re-
sources"
Mr.. Clifford explained that so far
there were no plans for national fund
but that anything may happen" in
time. Asked what would happen If To-
cal communities failed to raise the nee
essary relief funds, he said he would
cross that bridge when we come to it."
Avoids Controversy.
Mr.. Clifford was then asked If he
would refuse congressional appropri-
alton for unemployment relief as in the
case Of the Red Cross last Fall. He
replied:
You are asking too far in advance.
This is not controversial organization
We are trying TO do q very important
job the best way We know how. and the
best way to do it is through those
agencies which worked last Winter.
The main problem is to fight unem-
ployment distress We do not want
to get into controversy or arguments at
this time"
The relief director said his organiza-
ton would be concerned with finding
jobs for the unemployed, as well as
providing for relief, but its primary OBJ
Jective would be to see that commune
ties raised the necessary relief funds.
because certainly we will not be able
to wave magic wand and put several
million men TO work at once"
We want to make sure that every