Evening star., 1934-05-12
Commissioner Allen and e.
wood Street Act on In
efficiency.
THOUSANDS HERE HELD
NOT ENTITLED TO AID
"Housecleaning' Promised in
Emergency Division After Care
full Study of Facts.

Commissioner George E. Allen and
Elwood Street, who will become well
fare director June /, today plunged
into a study of what steps should be
taken to revamp the District emer-
gency relief organization so as to cor
rect inefficient management, such as
was revealed yesterday in a report of
the investigation by Federal relief
authorities.
The study was begun promptly as a
result of revelations by Harry L. Hop
kins, Federal relief director, that
from 5000 to 5000 persons on the
emergency relief roster here we're in
eligible, because they had supplement
tary incomes.
Allen and Street, following a brief
conference this morning, promised
constructive steps" would be taken at
an early date to remedy conditions
outlined by the Federal official.
Statement Issued.
The following joint statement was
Issued by the District authorities:
I'VE realize the seriousness of the
situation and will study the matter
very carefully. We hope to have a
plan of action ready in the near fu-
ture. We do not propose to take any
precipitatc acticn because of the
great number of persons and the large
amount of money involved. We do
promise. however, that constructive
steps will be taken promptly"
Prior to the conference with Street,
Commissioner Allen said ne was
shocked" as we'll as surprised over
the facts developed by the Federal in
quiry. and threatened to invoke a
house cleaning in the emergency re-
lief division in order to put it on a
more efficient basis He insisted that
the blame for the present situation
rested with himself At the same
time, however, he intimated there
would be shake-up in the personnel
Of the relief unit.
It was not clear just how much of
the responsibility in the matter would
be placed on Leroy Halbert, emer-
gency relief director, but predictions
were made at the District Building
that Halbert probably would be given
a different assignment and that a
business manager" would be named
to direct business phases of the re-
lief work
May Change Directors.
There have been intimatlons in re-
cent weeks that Allen was not entirely
satisfied with the administration of
Halbert. Allen has been advised by
some of his subordinateS that Halbert
lacks the qualifications of a business
executive required for the mammoth
size of his present duties.
Halbert today took the whole mat
ter philosophically Whatever changes
there may be in the lineup, he plans
to stick to the problem" and seek to
render the kind of service that is de-
sired by his superiors.
Aside from the personnel question:
the survey by Federal officials appar-
animation of the eligibility of relief
applicants to be placed on the relief
roster. Allen indicated.
Halbert said today he proposed to
have all doubtful cases carefully re-
checked, that all those found not de-
pendent upon public aid will be
dropped. His Office now has no list
of persons who have been receiving
supplementary income while on the
relief list, he said.
Field Agents Increased.
The relief unit, he explained, now
is better equipped to examine into the
qualifications of relief applicants than
in some months past. While formerly
the agency had but 70 case workers,
there now are 225 field agents as we'll
as Is supervisors.
Halbert anticipates there will be a
much more drastic" relief policy
here in the future than has been the
case in the naSt