Evening star., 1934-11-20

aggregate $1,500000 q year. Many
of the salaries run from 5000 to $3.50
q month. This seemed to me worthy
Of investigation, particularly in view
Of the fact that, consulting with bust
ness men in that city who, Of course
do not desire to be involved, neverthe-
less declared that the administrative
costs were double what they should be.
In another city in the Middle West
they have 1900 administration EN-
ployes in the central office, the sal
aries and incidental expenses amount
ing to about $4,000 a year. These
two instances given are not excep-
tional.
In a Southern State the admin
strator declared that the cost of ad-
ministration was about 25 per cent Of
the funds administered, and further
declared that this was modest COM
pared with other States with which he
was familiar. I contend that rs per
cent for administration Is waste upon
the face Of 1t. In another State 1t was
discovered that it cost $628.15 to ad-
minister $125.72 in one county.
Investigation disclosed that similar
circumstances prevailed in many
other counties. Aroused public senti-
ment forced the elimination of large
number Of people on the administrative
pay roll. That is precisely what ought
to be done and could be done in a
large number Of pay rolls in many,
If not all, of the States. In another
Middle Western State the cost of
administration, as stated by the ad-
ministrator, Is nearly 20 per cent Of
the fund administered.
now call attention TO some figures
based upon an official report in an
other State. This report was made
evidently by a clean, able and cour-
ageous public official. A like investi-
cation throughout by an impartial
official will reveal similar conditions
in other States. This report dis
closes that for $3.47 expended for
relief, $268 was expended for admin
stration. Taking 100 counties in the
State, the report discloses that the
administrative costs in administering
S4,700 was $500. In another coun-
ty, the administrative cost was $572;
the most administered s4 In an
other county it cost S576; the amount
administered Sc. 1t is fair to say
that some improvement has been
made. For instance, we find, accord
ing to the last report available, in one
county relief cost $912.80, administra-
ton cost $851.56. In another county
relief cost $947.58; administration
cost $826.68 In another county
relief cost s1,763.35; administration
cost, $l,08l 98. In another county the
relief cost, $69210; administration
cost, $692.15. Other figures might be
cited. But while improvement is being
made and is to be commended, what
about the money which was shame
fully wasted? What demand has been
made upon the parties responsible? :?
What accounting has been called for?
This is relief money we are dealing
with. Every dollar should be account
ed for.
When I was in the West this Sum-
mer evidence was brought to me tend
ing to show waste Of from two and
one-half to three and one-half mil
lion dollars. But as the grand jury
has returned indictments against GER
tain parties and the matter was In
court, advised parties to await the
action Of the court and the full reve-
lation which might be brought out in
the trial. According to the press dis
patches. the indictments have been
dismissed. do not assume to criticize
the dismissal. I assume, of course,
there was no evidence establishing
crime or criminal intent. But I am
now advised that no one has contro-
verted the proposition, that this vast
sum Of money was actually wasted and