Evening star., 1933-02-10
NEW V0TEP[ANNED
ON DISTRICT RELIEF
Citizens Federation Will Re-
consider Bill Giving Power
to Borrow.
The bill to authorize the District gov

The bill to authorize the District gov
ernment to borrow money from the Re-
construction Finance Cooperation to tide
1t over emergency situations in handling
unemployment relief, once turned down
by the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tlons, will come up for consideration
before that body once more at its meet
ing February 18, with chance for re-
versal of the federation's stand.
At its last meeting the federation re-
fused to indorse the bill The bill came
up for vote late in the meeting and
rising vote showed only 20 members
casting ballots. There are So associ-
at1ons in the federation, and the rules
require that at least one delegate from
half OF the associations represented
shall make a quorum. The vote against
the bill was % to 6, and as nobody made
the point of no quorum, the action
stands.
1t is known that several prominent
delegates to the federation are disap-
pointed at the showing made, and an
effort to reconsider Is expected early at
the next meeting. This takes a vote of
two-thirds of the delegates present, and
those in favor of the bill are now en-
deavortng to roundup the necessary
two-thirds
Otner M0u0nS Ready.
Should the motion to reconsider fail
TO secure sufficient adherents, there are
several other motions ready, all designed
TO put the federation on record in favor
OF some positive method of securing the
necessary money.
The bill had its origin in the dilemma
raced by the Commissioners recently
when the Districts first unemployment
relief appropriation of $35O,OO0. plus a
donation OF 100000 from the Com
munity Chest, ran out before the next
Se25,O 900 appropriation bill was signed
In the interim the Commissioners were
forced to allow grocery bills to 90 un-
paid and to borrow money from private
sources, neither action being authorized
by law.
1t proposes to allow the District to
borrow not to exceed S2,5000O the
money TO bear interest at per cent.
from the r. F. c., should such action
DC necessary. The privilege, it has been
explained, would be used only in an
emergency. The authorization expires
two years after enactment, according to
the bill.
House Group Main Obstacle.
Federation leaders today indicated
that the chief obstacle the bill has to
lace Is the action of the House Appro-
priations Committee In shaving the
DISTRICTS 1884 budget in such a way as
10 pile up large cash surplus to the
credit of the District in the Treasury.
There Is a sentiment in the federation
that 1t would be better to use this sur
plus money in direct appropriations for
unemployment relief rather than to
borrow money from any source. Emer-
gency situations, such as that recently
might be avoided by ap-
money enough in the first
place, leaders believe. By appropriating
the money directly, the District would
save the interest specified in the bill.
1t has been pointed out, on the other
hand, that the District is powerless to
appropriate the surplus. Only Congress
can do that.
Some of the federation sentiment Is
in favor of increased construction work
as method of increasing employment,
thus decreasing the necessity for un-
relief.
George E. Sullivan. a former vice
president c. the federation, who led
the fight against TIE bill. said today
that his association (the Citizens As
Sociation of Takoma Park, d. CO will
have before the federation resolution,
unanimously adopted, calling for the
construction OF needed elementary
schools and additions to junior high
schools, with clause in the appropria-
ton act limiting employment on these
jobs to District residents.
Dr. George c. Havenner, four times
president Of the federation and now |
member Of its executive committee. said