The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-12
ROBINSON AID
PLAN FAVORED
BY CONGRESS
Democrats Program for
Federal Relief Viewed
Likely to Pass.
WOULD SPEND BILLIONS
Construction Work and
Funds for Food Are
Main Points.

BIZ ScFtpps-hoGuFb AtAeP1ptE AtttNsfSs
WASHINGTON, May 12.-Federal
relief legislation and huge public
works program will De enacted be-
fore adjournment Of congress by a
coalition Of Democrats and liberal
Republicans, It seemed likely today
This is to be accomplished with
out interfering with the balanced
budget, which both parties are
working to achieve. under the plan
of Senator Joseph T. Robinson
Democratic leader.
Robinson's proposal for a $1,000
900 900 construction program to put
a million unemployed men to work
and a $500, 100000 loan fund to re-
lieve hunger, recognizes for the first
time the necessity OF including
funds for this work in the 1888
federal budget.
During the next few weeks. when
the senate is writing a tax bill, and
is deciding on ways to economic
in proposed federal expenditures, 1t
will take account Of the strong
probability that carrying charges
for bonds to finance the relief pro-
gram must be included in the
budget.
Tax Bill First
Robinson does not intend to ask
a vote in the senate on either Of
the two relief bills he proposes
until after the tax bin is disposed
OF. but he will ask their approval
ahead Of appropriation bills.
Comments on his program since
its announcement Wednes a y
seem to indicate that relief bills can
be adopted with little debate. ana
will not delay adjournment OF con-
gress beyond the date early IN June
that has been agreed upon.
Robinson has not estimated total
cost to the federal government In
1888 of his relief program, but says
it will be small.
Politically, the program was re-
garded here as the economic plat
form on which the Democrats will
try to win the White House from
President Hoover next November.
Robinson's demand for a bal
anced budget, immediate federal
relief, and a vast public works pro-
gram was held to be one OF the
major political developments of the
year. Besides seeking to throw
Hoover on the defensive. it admit
teddy is designed to unity all con-
tending factions and candidates in
the Democratic party around a
definite and far-reaching program
for economic relief and recovery.
1t embraces issues advanced by
spokesman and candidates Of all
factions.
Two Parts Program
The program is divided into two
parts. The $500, 1000, 900 to be raised
from sale Of government bonds
would be advanced to states and
cities whose relief funds are ex-
hausted. In return, the government
should receive such assurance Of
repayment as may be obtainable,
including state and municipal Sc
curities, where the same are avail
able, and reductions may be made
when necessary from future allot-
ments Of federal aid"
Robinson suggests that the Wag-
ner relief bill, now pending on the
senate calendar, be made the basis
Of legislation to accomplish this.
The second part Of his program
calls for issuance Of tax-exempt
bonds to provide for 100000, 900
worth of construction work.
Instead. however, Of proposing
construction Of federal public build
ings, waterways, flood control prof.
ects, and other public works already
authorized by the federal govern
ment. he would turn the money over
to states and cities to be used for
self-liquidating. profit-making en-
terprises, such as tunnels and
bridges for which tolls are TO be
charged, and replacement Of slum
areas with modern apartment
houses.
He proposes that special tax
may be raised to pay interest and
amortization on the bonds during
the coming year.
The plan is substantially the one
recently advanced by Owen D
d