Evening star., 1934-01-10
TRADE BODY FIGHTS
RUSH Of EMPLOYED
TO GET c. ". A. Jobs
Chamber of Commerce Di-
rects Officials Attention to
Practice in District.
INTENTION TO CRITICIZE
ACTIVITY is DISCLAIMED
Group Reiterates Its Approval of
safety-Responsibility Bill
Proposed for City.

Calling attention to cases of workers
leaving private employment to accept
Civil Works Administration jobs, the
Washington Chamber of Commerce to-
day took steps to discourage this prac-
tice. which it described as defeating the
whole purpose Of the unemployment
program.
Acting on the mandate of its board
OF directors, voted at meeting yester-
day. the trade body today was prepar-
ing communications to President Roose-
velt, Secretary of the Interior Ickes
and Civil Works Administrator Harry
L. Hopkins, drawing attention to the
situation here.
Criticism Is Denied.
It was emphasized by the chamber
that its action was in no wise intended
to criticize the administration, but
rather to draw attention to a condition
which 1t feels the C. W. A. opposes in
principle already. but of which the ad-
ministration probably was unaware in
the District.
The trade body said the majority of
instances called to its attention were of
employees in the building and construc-
tion trades who were quitting their reg
ular employment to accept jobs under
the Federal Governments agency
In its communication to the officials
of the public and civil works group,
the chamber, it is understood. will urge
thorough examination of applicants for
c. w. A. employment here, requesting
that employment be denied those proved
to have resigned from private jobs to
work for c w. A.
The Federal Civil Works Administra-
ton meanwhile was requested by Com
missioner George E. Allen to allow all
additional 5000 jobs under the new
employment program because a portion
of the Districts quota of 10000 jobs
had been filled by transients.
Sees Situation Relieved.
He said he believed an increase in
the quota would relieve this situation
and afford Jobs to bona fide Washington
residents who as yet have been unable
to get work under the c. w. A plan,
Allen believes the operation OF the
civil works program here now has re-
duced to low degree the amount OF
destitution resulting from unemploy-
ment, but had before him today state
ment from David Ruml, manager of the
District Public Employment Center, that
likely there were as many as 5000 per-
sons badly in need of work. whose
Job applications as yet he had not
been able to fill.
The directors of the chamber at their
meeting yesterday also heard reports
and took action on a number OF other
matters pending.
Motorists Bill Urged.
Coincident with the announcement
at the Capitol by Representative Nc
Leod of Michigan that he advocates
early action on the safety responsible
ity" bill aimed at reckless drivers in
The District. the chambers board reit-
Grated its Endorsement of this legisla-
tion, in which it has taken an active
part in having drafted. A report by
George E. Keneipp, chairman of the
Transportation Committee, cited legis-
lative progress on this bill and also on
a bill requiring compulsory insurance
for taxicabs
Other action of the Transportation
Committee reported on by Mr.. Keneipp
included work on a bill providing for
a medical examining board for the
District in place of the coronerS jury;
school for traffic law violators: negli-
gent homicide law for automobile ia
talities, and the committees decision
to investigat charges by Judge John P.
Mcmahon of Police Court that the
Traffic Bureau was functioning inem-
GENTLY.
Reports on the Chesapeake Beach
ferry project and on the workmen's
compensation insurance regulation here
were presented by Thomas P. Little
page and P. Michael Cook, respectively