The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-23
eva GRAFTERS
TO FACE u. s.
COURT ACTION
Petty Politicians Played by
Hopkins: Joseph Keenan,
Leads Drive.
'FERRETING OUT STARTS
Justice Department to Aid;
All Reports Will Be
Probed.
BVUHifcdPrcss

WASHINGTON. Jan. %. - The
government battled graft in the
emergency relief and civil works ad-
ministrations today.
Administrator Harry L. Hopkins
asserted bitterly that thousands Of
dollars already have been devoted
to investigating reports OF scandals
in the two administrations and
warned that prosecution faces I'M
scrupuious politicians and petty
grafters who have used the recov-
cry agencies for personal gains.
The youthful. clear-eyed head OF
the twin units which have provided
10000 Americans with employ
ment, food, shelter and clothing said
that the department of justice
henceforth will deal with those
profting due to the misery OF
others.
keenan, Takes Charge
Assistant Acknowledgement Jo-
seph B. keenan,, driving chief of
the criminal division of the justice
department, has been placed in
charge of ferreting out the grafters.
Already ne has sent investigators
to Los Angeles county. Cal, where
a CWA scandal is brewing that may
reach into political circles. There,
a brokerage" fee racket has been
exposed, and two women have been
arrested.
The civil works program at Pitts
burgh. Pa, has been ordered inves-
tigated by Mr. Hopkins. and civil
works engineer for Pennsylvania
has been discharged for alleged
solicitation of a fee"
Many Reports PrObed
Newspaper reports of alleged ir-
regularities have come from Micf1i- !
gan. New York, Alabama, West Vir-
GINA and New Jersey. Approx !
mately 500 CWA workers at the |
Arden project. IN New York, pre-
scented a petition for removal OF
their SuperiOrs. complaining OF in
toIerable" conditions; at Harmon
ton. N. j.. Samuel Perone, labor /
leader. ofhciated at a protest meet
ing and charged that certain Off
Gals were putting relatives on the
pay roll.
Where such reports have been Off |
cially conveyed to Administrator |
Hopkins, field representatives have |
been ordered to investigate"
But you can't keep a policeman |
I'm every community" observed Mr..
Hopkins.
A few politicians, he said, have |
clicked" him from the start"
DiscOntinuance Is Protested
CWA. Mr.. Hopkins added, is re-
ceiving 5000 letters ad ay' in pro-
test against terminating the civil |
works program on May 1.
Congress may be asked for $780, |
COO. 900 to continue the program tenn
porarlly. Some in cognreSS favor
even a larger appropriation. Ad-
ministrator Hopkins also is expect
ed to seek S5OO,OOO,OO for contin-
uing relief work. although he be-
lieveS in the spring farming, sea-
sonal industries and the PWA
should absorb about 100000 of the
100000 persons now on relief
lists.
OF the 100000, Mr.. Hopkins said
about 100000 were expected to be
supported on farms. The admin
istration anticipates, he said. that
between 100000 and 100000 will
be absorbed by public works prof.
ects and that seasonal industries
will absorb another 100000.
Speed Brings Graft
approximately 3.OOO.OO of the
total were described as "floaters.
having been unemployed in the
boom period of 1929.
Mr.. Hopkins attributed his trouble
with grafterS to the speed with
which the CWA was launched in
November to put 100000 persons
to work in thirty days.
II was in attempts to fOreStall
graft that public works admins
traitor Harold IckeS stirred criticism
for delay in starting works projects.
With all his caution. Mr.. Ickes
eventually encountered. like Mr..
Hopkins. reports of grating. These
too have been turned over to the
justice department.
Administrator Ickes has been
given blanket authority by President
Roosevelt to take such steps as he
may deem necessary to prevent
graft and manipulation of public