Evening star., 1932-07-17
STATES SEEK HELP
OF CLIFFORD AGENCY
Group Lacks Funds, But Is
Determined to Meet De-
mands for Guidance.


Presidents Organization on Unemploy-
ment Relief is carrying on as usual, its
officials determined not to quit in the
face of mounting demands for guidance
from States expecting relief loans from
the Reconstruction Finance Corpora
tion.
The skeletonized force, deprived of
funds since the beginning of the new
fiscal year, is confronted with an un-
precedented field for service under new
legislation authorizing the r. F. C. to
extend relief to States and other local
agencies. How this service, urgently
in demand even before passage Of the
legislation, can be rendered without
funds for clerical help, telephones or
kilograms is causing Director Walter S.
Clifford and his colleagues grave con-
Germ.
Only. yesterday requests came from
four States for counsel in administer
ing loan funds anticipated under the
r. F.. c. State relief plan. Before that
seven other States, through representa-
tives sent to Washington or through
correspondence, had asked for advice
in this connection. 1t Is probable that
many other States and other bene-
ficiaries under the relief loan program
will call on the Clifford group for expert
counsel.
Competent Advice Sought.
The authority of the Reconstruction
Finance Corporation ends when a loan
is rendered an applicant. Disposition
Of the money for the purposes cited in
the application is left to the recipient
of the fund. Banks and railroads are
experts on financial problems affecting
their respective businesses, but States
SO far have had little experience in
administering public relief funds. For
that reason State officials have been
endeavoring to secure competent ad-
vice in preparation for prospective re-
lief activities involving Federal loans.
With these and other demands con-
fronting it, the unemployment organi-
zation has kept its doors open and its
machinery functioning, despite lack of
funds Clifford and all the 108 mem
bers Of his Advisory Committee have
served. from the beginning, without
pay or expense allowance, but a staff
Of employed experts and clerks has
been required. The staff has dwindled
to about a dozen employees, due to lack
of money.
Agencies Achievements.
Created to cooperate with public au-
thoritleS and with national, State and
local agencies concerned with relief
the organization has co-ordinated and
stimulated relief work throughout the
Nation. Its achievements are summed
up as follows in an official memoran-
DUN;
l. Promoted through governors the
organization of State committees and
of local committees concerned with pro-
viding employment and relieving dis
tresS.
3 Brought together for effective team
work practically all national relief and
welfare agencies.
3. Assisted in securing from various
philanthropic foundations grants direct
to certain national organizations in
order to enable them to carry out ac-
tivities throughout the past year spe-
ciflcally requested by the Presidents
organization. Beneficiaries of these
funds were the Family Welfare Asso-
citation Of America, which is assisting
community relief the Association of
Community Chests and Councils. and
the American Public Welfare Associa-
ton.
4. Enlisted the active cooperation of
national groups in the preparation Of
guidance reports on various subjects
for distribution to local communities.
5. Facilitated the active cooperation
Of the various Federal departments and
bureaus in employment and relief ac-
tivities
6. Enlisted the active assistance of
trade associations in measures designed
to promote employment and provide
relief.
Suggestions Analysed.
7. Analysed many hundreds Of sug-
gestions and plans submitted to the
organization and gave wide distribu-
tion to a report recommending spread
ing of work and extension of credit
8. Communicated directly with many
thousands of employers in an effort to
secure general adoption of the plan OF
spreading work within each establish
ment, and gave wide distribution to
leaflet on the subject.
9. Distributed to all local committees
and to many individual agencies a re-
port on administration of relief.
10. Distributed upon request many
thousands of copies of the leafiet.
Your Food Dollar" as guide to low
J income groups
IL. Expedited as far as possible pub
lie work activities through direct con-
tact with States and communities and
through active cooperation OF national
groups in that field of work.
II. Through active cooperation OF
national groups in education, promoted
a general movement to secure contlnu-
ance of young people in school.
13. Promoted subsistence gardening