Evening star., 1934-03-14
PLANS NINE MORE
D. c. RELIEF UNITS
Halbert Making Arrange.
: ments in Keeping With
Aliens Program.

Arrangements for establishment of
District Emergency Relief Division
were being carried forward today by
leroy A. Halbert, relief director, in
Keeping with the program of Commis-
sioner George E. Allen for more eff
cient set-up for the relief organiza-
tton. The five branch stations already
established will remain as a part of
the new plan, Halbert said.
Meanwhile plans were being COM
pleted for the opening of the new
central headquarters for emergency
relief in the Trinity parish building
at Third and c streets, which will
Gupplant the present headquarters in
the 400 block of Indiana avenue.
Police Given Blanks.
All the 1900 Washington policemen
were provided with blanks today to
enable them to serve as emergency
relief officers, to handle any real
emergency case they come across in
connection with their regular work, In
carrying out the other new program
approved yesterday by the District
Commissioners.
Mai. Ernest w. Brown, superin-
tendent of police, was to address
special meeting of all police inspectors
and captains this afternoon to explain
tust how the new program Is to func-
ton. Maj. Brown yesterday told the
Commissioner he was glad the new
system had been ordered into effect;
that he thought it would produce good
results in speeding relief in emergency
eases.
The new system was adopted be-
cause of a finding by Commissioner
Allen that in too many cases there
was too long delay between re-
ceipt of a plea for help from a
destitute person or family and the
time the case worker was able to
investigate and order dispensation OF
relief. Commissioner Allen also be-
lieves increase in the number Of case
workers assigned to the emergency
relief division will help relieve this
situation.
Approves Suggestion.
:. It is his objective to increase the
number of case workers so that each
one would not be held responsible for
not more than 100 cases. Allen,
however, quickly approved the sug-
gestion to authorize policemen to
order immediate relief for emergency
cases on their own responsibility.
:. The system works in this manner.
When a policeman discovers case
needing immediate attention, he has
authority to issue at once orders for
food or other necessities. The police
man has such orders In tripIcate.
Two of these forms he gives to the
applicant for relief, both to be left
with the merchant providing the
food. Certain grocery stores are desig-
mated to accept these orders.
The merchant keeps one for his rec
ords and forwards the other to the
Emergency Relief Office. The police
man makes a record of the case for
police files and the third form then
Is sent to relief officials for auditing
purposes.
The idea Of employing policemen
In the capacity of relief case work.
ers, on emergency cases, developed
from study made Of the voluntary
relief activities carried on by the nu-
merous policemen with the co-opera-
tion Of precinct officers.
: Commissioner Allen, on a surprise
visit to the eleventh precinct few
days ago, was amazed at the amount
Of relief work done there and COM
mended the officers on their activities.
Halbert said it may be several weeks
before all IA branch relief stations
are in operation.