The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-09
RENEW FIGHT
IN Senate FOR
JOBLESS AID
Distress Throughout u. S.
Growing, Committee Is
Told at Hearing.
PRESS COSTlGAN'S BILL
Inability Of Local and State
Agencies to Cope With
Crisis Stressed.


81 United press
WASHINGTON. Nav Social
workers appearing before a senate
subcommittee today in support Of
the $500 600 600 Costigan unemploy-
mcnt relief bin pictured greatly in
creased distress and general ex-
hauslon Of local funds in many
sections Of the nation
The testimony substantiated that
taken earlier IN the session on the
la Foilette-C ostigan bill. defeated
bv the senate. with added emphasis
on tho inability Of states and cities
10 cope with the situation and the
necessity for immediate federal aid.
II was proposed by one witness
that the subcommittee divide into
smaller groups 10 obtain detailed
sectional information on the need
for relief.
Samuel Goldsmith. executive d.
rector OF the Jewish charities Of
Chicago. told the committee the I'M
employed OF that city had increased
from $4,000 in April 1890. to
625 900 at the present time. and that
there had been a 50 per cent drop
IN manufacturing pay rolls over the
same period. with a Al per cent de-
crease in employment.
Reports Are Alarming
eve arc now running a relief bill
Of about S3.25OOOO month he
said. and this year we expect TO
spend s35 900 900. About 81 per cent
OF that money is state tax money"
The new bill. sponsored by Sena-
tor Costigan Dem. Colo), differs
radically from its predecessor on
several points. The money would be
obtained through a treasury bond
issue maturing in ten years and
bearing 4 per cent interest.
The earlier bill provided for di-
rect grants to the states The
funds would be administered by
federal relief board with the chief
or the childreu's bureau as execu-
60 TO the states on population
basis. the balance being allocated
for administrative expenses. State
agencies would carry on the actual
relief work
Proponents OF the bill believe that
recent alarming reports from cities
and the general depletion Of local
relief funds throughout the coun-
try have swung enough support to
them to assure passage of the bill.
Costigan opened proceedings be-
fore a manufacturers subcommittee
with a short statement
Nothing Affirmative Done
"The session of congress draws to
its close" he said. and nothing
affirmative or constructive has been
done by congress or the administra-
ton.
Famine has touched the mind,
but neither the heart or conscience
OF America
Prentice Murphy of the Philadel-
phia children's bureau. told the COM
mittee THE country needs more than
ever enlightenment, direction and
guidance
Harry L. Lurie. New York. rep
resenting the American Association
Of Social Workers. presented a sur
vev OF thirty cities which he said
showed relief funds being spread
thinner and thinner TO cover in
crcaSing want. and an uneasy
knowledge that various sections OF
the population are being neg
lectcd"
"A number OF communities report
that hospital and clinic facilities
have been curtsiled. recreational
and neighborhood centers have been
drastically cut and child welfare
activities materially reduced" he
said.
Relief Being Reduced
"Relief has been continuously
and gradually reduced Lurie con-
tinued. so that whole families are
getting an average Of $3.50 a week
rs in New York City with 50. 81
and at the most IS week per fam
ilv IN other cities.
In some sections Of the country.
particularly in the south and south
west. the policy OF spreading thin
has reached the final breaking
point and is resulting in virtual
abandonment OF relief 10 part OF
the unemployment group.
Helen Glenn Tyson deputy sec
retarv of welfare Of Pennsylvania.
pictured her state as in an eco~
nomic and social crisis to beggar
description"
Millions without Income
at least 100000 people are en-
tirelv without income" she said.
There are 100000 families on re-
lie. This means that at least
100000 persons are receiving or
need aid"
Karl DeSehweinitz. executive sec
rotary Of the community council Of
Philadelphia. told the committee
"our only hope now is governmental
cid"
He said approximately 800 900
persons or six times the normal
amount were unemployed in that
CITY. Private agencies. he continued.
had mailed out their last food order
April II. eleven DAYS before a So
100000 state fund became available.