Evening star., 1933-02-12
MORE AID OF POOR
BY congress SEEN
Senator Robinson Expresses
View in Debate Opposing
Army Harboring Boys.
BY the Associated Press.

A proposal to throw Army camps open
to jobless, homeless youths encountered
stiff opposition in the Senate yesterday,
but drew from Senator Robinson, Dem
ocratic leader. statement that Con-
gress must soon enact further legisla-
ton to relieve the destitute.
Legislation to use Army facilities for
taking care Of vagrant boys was de-
manded by Senator Couzens, wealthy
Michigan Republican, who estimated
that 100000 of them in terrific dis
tress" were wandering from city to city
in search Of work.
His proposal was termed dole" by
Senator Smith, Democrat, of South
Carolina, who said it would Invite un-
employment" and teach the Nations
boys to rely on the Government for
support. He also contended 1t would
mean the total generalization of dis
cipline" at Army posts.
Support for the plan came, however,
from Senator Tydings, Democrat, of
Maryland, who proposed to use the
So, ,440, 900 prohibition enforcement fund
to finance it. Tydings said he would
ask to have the bill sent back to COM
mittee for this purpose.
Senator Cutting, Republican, of New
Mexico, proposes that the youths be
given work and housed in Government
supported forestation camps.
"Too Limited in Scope"
Robinson held that Couzen's plan
would be too limited in it's scope, and
said Congress should proceed to the
consideration of broad relief program
I'VE passed a destitute relief measure
last session and We must pass another
in the early future" he said, pointing
out that the Wagner bill probably would
be presented to the Senate in q few
days"
This bill would add $500 ,ooo, 900 to the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation
fund for relief, speed up loans for con-
struction, and set up fund of ST., 5,000,-
600 for transient care.
Couzens moved to suspend the rules to
add his legislation to the Army appro-
priation bill, despite an unfavorable re-
port on it from the Military Affairs
Committee.
He denied the War Department was
opposed to the plan and read report
from Secretary Hurley saying $4,000
could be cared for with with present
facilities.
Chairman Reed of the Military Com
m1ttee said it would cost S109, ,000, 600 to
NoAS AOh oVO,UOO yOutllo year, puL
Couzens said he had no idea of going
further than present Army facilities
The Michigan Senator accused Reed
OF trying to confuse the ISSUE" and
said some of his estimates were
absurd"
1T does not seem necessary that I
would have to stress to this Senate the
need for taking care OF boys 16 to 81
years old who are tramping the country
homeless and without work." Couzens
said.
For National Loyalty.
What are you going to do about
them? Let them die while we stand
idly by with an Army and Navy with
facilities to help them?
I do not want any Of these $4,000
boys to say My country doesn't care a
damn where I go or what happens to
me-"
Tydings contended use Of the money
TO care for the boys would be more in
the interest Of humanity, patriotism.
economy and the future of the Nation"
than to spend it for prohibition enforce
ment.
1T would be little less than legisla-
tive crime to hand out this money for
prohibition enforcement, and not care
for the boys" Tydings added.
Smith told the Senate Couzens' plan
would be IAN invitation to the young
man by every conceivable device to ac-
cept the Governments proposition" and
that even those who had jobs would
accept it.
"The number would be unlimited and.
therefore, there would be no limit to the
appropriations that would be necessary"
he continued
Smith said the Governments Job was
70 see that every one who wanted could
earn an honest living and that Con-
gresS did not have "the courage to meet
the situation" which he said resulted
from defation of credit.
Replying to Smiths statement It
would constitute dole" Couzens said
the Government had paid out $4,000
100000 In doles through the r. F. c.
and hundreds of millions to the cot
ton States that will never be repaid"
Much Already Unpaid.
IF that isn't dole, I'd like to know
what is" he added.
Smith replied that loans to cotton
farmers were to permit them to earn a
living and retain their self-respect. He
also said 81 per cent of them had been
repaid.
Il submit what we get back in this
case will be worth more than any re-
payment in gold" Couzens retorted.
I am unable to understand how men
with sons and grandsons can stand
here opposing this as impractical on the
ground that it would disturb the Army
and Navy.
If that be demagoguery, I'm willing
to accept the charge"
Supporting his colleague, Senator
Vandenberg, Republican, of Michigan.
denied Couzens was practicing dema-
goguery, saying:
We in Michigan know he has de5i-
Gated his services and resources to the