Evening star., 1932-05-01

Government pay roll will always be the
basis OF Washington's buying power.
But the fact remains that there Is
distress in Washington. There is un-
employment. Private charity has done
its utmost to meet the situation. De-
mandS have been so great in the past
year that the Community Chest has a
deficit of nearly 100000
THE President, the Bureau Of the
Budget and the District Commissioners,
backed solidly by public opinion, rec
commended this appropriation.
After all, people cannot be allowed
to starve in the Nations Capital. But
it is certain thai very grave distress will
result unless this appropriation Is made.
THE people of the District have done
their duty in trying to cope with this
problem through private sources.
1T has been conclusively shown that
private charity is not sufficient The
people now ask that they be allowed to
use some of the money they have paid
in taxes to care for the hungry and
homeless in their midst.
THE people of the District are not
asking for anything that is wrong or ex-
travagant. They want only the privi-
lege Of caring for the unfortunate among
them. And, say, by all means give
them that privilege.
This fund is not to be expended by
any private organization, but by the
District government itself. There is a
definite maximum limit of 10 per cent
on administrative expenses. 1t is quite
probable that the administration of this
fund would cost 10 per cent Of its
total.
Some of the discussion ON this item
has centered around the proportionate
share of the Federal Government in
this direct aid. Under the existing sys-
tenn, the District taxpayer would pay
n cents and the United States % cents
of every dollar spent.
Willing to Bear Burden.
willing to shoulder this burden them
selves. II Congress shows reluctance to
approve on indirect contribution by the
Government to unemployment relief,
the people of the District are willing
to bear the entire burden Of this very
necessary item. I sincerely hope that
Congress will give the District the right
to spend its own money for the welfare
OF its own citizens.
This money, If appropriated, should
be very carefully expended, so that
sure that If the Commissioners are
given this fund, they will so administer
1t as to relieve the distress which un-
employment has brought about In
Washington
Senator Capper quoted from several
letters he has received complaining of
rents and then recalled that Congress
recognized the need Of rent legislation
during the World War, when, he said,
housing conditions in Washington
were very bad" Continuing, he stated:
ProfiteeTing Held Down.
"The Rent Commission did not oper-
ate to the complete satisfaction of all
concerned. do not know of any COM
mission that could. But the commits
sion prevented great deal of injustice.
1t held down prof1teering and helped
to stabilize living costs during a criti-
Cal period.
The present times present a differ
ert picture. In the period of inflated
prices in Washington during and after
the war, the cost q living shot up out
of all reason.
Now the cost d commodities Is low.
Food and clothing are far below the
leVelS OF few years ago. Rents In
are showing an inclination
to follow, although they are stil high.
Il understand that some apartment
louSe owners lere are meeting the new
,cAAASlOAAo Wy S4NAA4S bl4e1T tcndnCS
eduction in tent or furnishing greater
ervice. But it is clear to me that rents
4 houses ard apartments in Washing
ON are oU OF line with other corr.
nodities.
Il want the people Of Washington IN
now thai am giving a great deal of
hought d this matter. am doing INV
est to md out exactly what the nres-
mt situltion is regarding rents, III
md tht the Rent Commission should
e re-Stablished, I win certainly tale
pproFiate action.
In. the meantime, I would like In
now1ust how Washington feels on the
ubjct- am receptive to any tiloupht-
vi uggestions and would be glad In
eceVe any ideas my listeners have aS
D ne need for Rent Commission
PeaHng Of the street railway merger
GATOR Capper again explained his m
Sltlon 70 the clause under which for a
ROO OF 10 years SO per cent of the
trent required for the merged COM
ny would be furnished in accordance
Tn the present agreement between the
aShlngton Railway e. Electric Co. and
Potomac Electric Power Co. with
UTILITIES Commission regulating the
1er 81 per cent. The Senator wants
commission to regulate the rates
all OF the current at the outset.