The Indianapolis times., 1932-02-04
HUNGER BILL
FIGHT MARKED
BY BITTERNESS
CoStigan Leads Liberals in
Battle to Put Over
Relief Measure.
SUBSTITUTE IS URGED
Conservative Democrats to
Support Black Plan for
States Aid.
BY RUTH FINNEY
Times Staf Correspondent

senate fight over federal hunger
relief is in its third day with con-
servatives of both parties, who
oppose the La Follette-Costigan
bill. maneuvering for political adj
vantage.
The center of the maneuvering
is the Black, Walsh and Bulkley
substitute bill, which liberals have
branded "the substance measure"
While Senator Costigan Dem..
Colo) was telling the senate, in
one of the impressive addresses in
the history of that body, that "the
issue involves nothing less than
the inalienable right to life, of
American citizens" conservative
Democrats were whipping the Black
bill, with provision for federal road
building and federal "loans" to
states unable to obtain funds else
where, into final shape. 1t finally
was submitted with an indorse-
ment from Democratic Floor Leader
Robinson.
Parties Maneuvering
If the administration Republicans
vote with the liberals against the
Black substitute, then the final de-
ciSion as to passage or defeat of the
hunger bill must be made by con-
Servative Democrats. 1t is this de-
cision the party leaders are trying
to avoid.
On the other hand, if administra-
ton Republicans should throw their
support to the loan" bill, until the
defeat Of the hunger bill is accom-
pliShed, and afterward should op-
pose it, liberals would be forced to
choose between no bill at all or the
one the Democratic leadership has
offered.
The Black bill authorizes expendi-
ture of $750,00O,0OO, but provides
that not more than $25O,0OO,OOO of
it shall be spent in the present fiscal
year.
State Laws Barriers
Half Of this sum would be allo-
Gated to the states for road build
ing and would be an outright gift.
Half would be made available for
states asking for it, on statement
by the Governor that funds are
needed for relief of citizens, that
public and private resources have
been exhausted, and that he prom
lSeS to recommend to his legisla-
ture and people eventual repayment
of the money.
Liberals at once pointed out that
nearly three-fourths of the states
are prevented, by their Constitu-
tions, from borrowing funds for re-
lief OF human suffering.
Senators who are pleading states
rights in their opposition to nv
bill are proposing to force the states
to abandon their fundamental law in
order to receive assistance for their
distressed" said Senator La Fol-
lette. For the Governors to ac-
cept money on the terms of the
substitute would mean that they
must recommend amendment of
their state Constitutions"
Long Favors Black Bill
Huey Long Dem., La) brought
the matter to head. however.
when he pointed out that "aIl the
Governors have to do is to say
they'll recommend repayment. Then
they'll get the money and every
thing will be all right"
Il for one am not going to helm
the Governors perpetrate a fraud
on the treasury of the United
States" Senator Wheeler retorted.
This is nothing but a subterfuge.n
Attacking the second proposal in
the Black bill, Blaine CRep., Wis.,
said: you can build roads till
doomsday and not absorb any ap-
preciable number of the unen-
ployed." He pointed out that very
little of the money allotted to road
building actually would be paid to
workers.
COstigan Makes Appeal
Costigan added a query as to
"hdG Ine SuDSCltute'S sponsors eX-
pect starving women and children
to get out of the building bill
A striking rebuke to his fellow
Democrats was administered bv
Costigan during the course Of the
debate.
1T is remarkable that all the op-
position to this humane proposition
so far developed on this floor should
be on the side Of the party sup
posed to be devoted to the welfare
Of the common man." he said. st
trust that before we're done that
my fellows, instead Of giving aid to
the enemy, will be supporting this
legislation.
This measure is nothing less than
the acid test Of true Democracy. true
Republicanism and true American
ism. The issue may be postponed