Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-07-19

THE EMERGENCY RELIEF

Sheridan county is experienein
something new in the Administrative
of relief, and from all the Herald
able TO learn, changes that are bein
made are quite certain 10 work I
the benefit OF those people over tn
county who are going 10 be forced
accept aid from their government Z
carry them through the coming wiz
ter. And. while we wouldn't exacti
call it a 'shakeup." we can g /
the picture a probability that quite
number of constructive changes an
about to be made.
A stronger effort is TO be mad.
than ever before TO have relief nd
ministered solely on a basis O
NEED. Certainly no right thinking
man or woFnan would want il am
other way. and TO those whose tasl
1t will be to survey the needs oa
families throughout the country ana
see that every a wonzn and
child is supplied with those thing
which will make life comfortable znc
healthy. we can only wish the best os
success.
The Federal Emergency Relic.
Administration has already done =
big Job But its task the coming
winter is going TO be OF greater mag
! nitude than in any previous period
1t will not only take millions OF dol
lars but will tar the capacity OF
every individual connected with
FERA TO see that justice Is done and
that ample relief is provided for
those who really need it
Politics has crept in to the admin
istration OF relief in many states
Graft wrecked CWA. a nationwide
plan OF President Rooseveif's which
might have been used for immeasure-
able good in all sections of the con
try. In North Dakota a governor
made use of the relief setup to coz
stuct Hi of the strongest political
machines the state has ever known.
and although he stands convicted As
a felon. was swept into office under
a deluge OF votes that practically
makes his position today impreg-
nable- In Montana a state Admins
traitor with his first assistant has
been removed who had given most
freely of time and effort. even to the
point of almost sacrificing his life In
the line OF duty. to satisfy the whims
OF selfish and arrogant political
bosses.
Graft or petty politics i bad
enough at best. but for a huge pro
gram provided and operated solely to
relieve human suffering TO become
beset with cheap and taudry conniv-
ing Of unprincipled politicians In a
sad commentary on a Democracy.
and will always stand a. a disgrace
to any political unit, be it county.
state or nation
The Herald believes there has
been an honest effort to administer
relief fairly and honestly In SherI
dan county. Undoubtedly there have
been errors OF judgment Some have
not received the amount OF aid To
which they were entitled based ON
actual needs. others. on the other
hand. have proved themselves moth
ing more than mendicants seeking to
get theirs while the getting Wac
good" For the first class. We have
the utmost sympathy; for the latter
class we hold nothing but adherence
they belong 10 a group which the
county and the country would be- f1r
better off without-of no good to
themselves, their families or n one
else. But III these mistakes have
been made, We believe it has been
the result OF an effort to make Ger
tain OF emitting no needy family
from relief rolls rather than any at
titude of discrimination or intention
al neglect. In doing so. some were
certain to get more than they need
ed, while allotment to others must
necessarily be curtailed-
To keymen, serving without pay,
year after year, not only making per
sonaI sacrifice of time. but subject
ing themselves to personal enmify
and loss OF friends OF long standing.
there should go nothing but an ex
preston OF sincere gratitude None
of them sought the job. IL Eas
practically forced on them as a civic
duty. They have served faithfully.
and ii not as fairly in some instances
as might seem wise. at least they
have remained In the Zine OF duty |
as a good soldier III there have
been human shortcomings. which
would only be natural let them be
measured In terms of the greater
good which has come from unsflfish
and faithful public service
Now. ne understand, under the
new program. keymen are to be re
lieved of serving In a direct admin
istrative capacity. They will con
tinue to represent their communities
but will act more in an advisory
capacity, working with case workers
These case workers r young no
men especially trained in social wei
fare work. Their task win be = dit
ficult one at best They r entitled
to the cooperation OF every benefic-
larry. They are here to help. not to
dictate They viii visit the homes of
those applying for relief-n0t with
an idea Of cutting down ApprOpri1
lions, but with an attitude OK assist
ing in preparing budgets In order to
soc that families are Uruyided with