Evening star., 1934-09-10
AUTO|STSFOUND
ON RELIEF ROLLS,
SAYSASSOC|AT|ON
But Riding in Cars Doesn't
Prove UnWorthiness, Say
Social Workers.
CITE RECENT SURVEY
OF VEHICLE OWNERS
Some Borrowed Machines and
Others Use Them in Work,
Report Reveals.

In automob1leS, according to the
Washington Taxpayers Protective As
sociation, but relief authorities
pointed out today that this is no rea-
son to conclude the riders are not
entitled to Federal aid
In a statement issued by Rufus
s. Lusk, secretary of the association
it was said that recent check of
applicants at the Federal Surplus
Commodity Distribution Bureau on
First street near Constitution avenue
showed that of 5000 persons receiv-
ing food in one week, $40, or about
10 per cent, arrived or drove away
In automobiles.
The association said, however, that
obviously "a considerable percentage"
OF the cars did not belong to the
persons receiving relief, and Welfare
Director Elwood Street and Relief Di-
rector M. Alice Hill declared many
applicants are lent cars by friends.
Lusk later said the names of % of
the persons identified from tag num-
bers as owners Of cars used by relief
clients had been checked against the
relief rolls and that were found to
be receiving relief Four others had
names similar to relief customers liv-
ing at the same address.
Lusk said he viii turn over to Miss
Hill the list of names obtained by
checking tag numbers of cars at the
relief station and that Miss Hill has
agreed to check the names against the
relief rolls.
Confirming this, Miss Hill told The
Star she was glad to have the op-
portunity to make the check, although
she expressed doubt that it would
result in startling disclosures.
Il am just as anxious as MIR. Lusk
or anybody else to keep unworthy per-
sons of the relief rolls" Miss Hill
asserted. Before I came here was
told ] would find plenty of chiselers
and ] was somewhat bewildered at
f1rst. am doing all I can to find
tnem, II they are here. There are
bound to be mistakes and we are
nnding them every once in a while.
We may never catch them all. but
we are ever on the alert.
Is Studying SChiseIers.
Right now am making a special
study of the chiseling problem. and
am hoping we will unearth any who
are unworthy. I am more than eager
to get rid of persons who do not de-
serve help, and if Mr.. Lusk can help
me, I'm all for him"
Director Street declared that owner
ship OF an automobile does not nee
esSarily bar its owner from receiving
reiief. 1t all depends on the individ-
ual, he said.
Il know Of one man on the relief
roi! VINO owns q secondhand Pack
aro' street said. HE rents it to
our case workers to take them around
IN their Investigations. In this way
ne is able to supplement his relief
which admittedly is inadequate.
another man is eking out an
existence by hiring his car out for
trips to Atlantic City or other re-
sorts. II he didn't make a little
money on the side with his car he
would be unable to get along on what
we would give him. can see no OBJ
lection to a relief client keeping his
car for earning purposes, instead of
going on work relief"
Recent Survey Revealed.
Lusk's statement told of a check
made OF every person or group using
an automobile when applying for food
from August % to September S."
During this period" he announced
approximately 5000 relief clients re-
celVed handouts. OF these. $40. or
ABOUT 10 per cent, arrived or Grove
away in automobiles. Four hundred
aIlo Slxty-nlne were pleasure cars 43
taxlcabs, So trucks and motor
cycles. Seven cars were from Msrv-
land, two from Virginia, two from
PENNSYLVANIA, one from Ohio and one
from Minnesota.
Inc number of every passenger car
carrying relief clients was taken and
It's resale value aseertained. Their
secondhand value was almost $50 O00
Wnlle Fords and Chevrolets predomi-
nateo, there were Packards. 2 Pierce
arrows, l Cadillac, La Sale "a
Bucks, Chryslers, 10 Hudsons Is
Nashs. Oldsmobiles, 2 Auburns
Peerless, II Studebakers and 3 Mar
mons
Among the trucks which stopped
while the driver went to get the tax
payers roast beef was one that he
longed to the United States Senate
another to the District of Columbia
ana others to well-known business
houses.
Cars Often Are Borrowed.
During this week OF checking it
was quite evident that considerable
percentage Of the cars did not belong
to the persons actually receiving the
relief. One car was owned by q
colonel in the Army, who has two ma
chimes; another was registered in the
name OF well-known architect living
In one Of the city's swankiest apart
ments, and others came from the
nnest residential sections of Washing
ton.
About 10 per cent of the riding
clients seeking this free food arrived
in taxicabs.
Many Of the cars were practically
new. A striking example, although
not typical, was that of a man and
his wife, who drove up in a new 1884
Chevrolet. At the beginning of the
year this particular client had q
1880 Chevrolet.
When pork was being distributed
few weeks ago parking of cars wa.
a real problem"
May Find Cabs Cheaper.
AS for taxicabs, Director Stree
pointed out that some Of the relief
applicants live miles from the down.
town section and that sometimes 4
Is cheaper for group to hire cal
and split the cost than to pay carfare
Again. he said, some applicants hav,
friends in the cab business who trans.
port them free Of charge.
Probably there are some chiseler,
on the relief rolls" Street said. "wt
receive lots Of complaints, but usual.