Evening star., 1934-04-27
.EFFORT TO REDUCE
D. c. RELIEF ROLLS
IS SEEN IN INQUIRY
Reorganization of Admins
tration Under Allen Held
Possibility.
U. S. OFFICIALS CLAIM
TOO MANY AIDED HERE
Hopkins Silent on Situation as
Probe Is Begun-May Funds
Not to Be Cut.

reorganization OF the District Rellei
Administration under Commissioner
George E. Allen, with view to re
ducing relief expenditures here" arose
, as a possibility today, when it Ge-
veloped that Federal Director Harry
L. Hopkins is conducting a quiet in
vestigation of the District relief rolls.
Although this was definitely estab-
lished at headquarters of the Federal
Emergency Relief Administration,
Hopkins refused tc discuss the matter
Rolls Held Zoo Large.
The chief bone of contention seems
to exist over the opinion held at
Federal headquarters that there are
entirely too many people on relief
rolls in the District and that the
overhead expenses are higher than
|. they should be.
While Hopkins remained silent to-
day on the local situation, 1t is under
stood that any such investigation into
local or State relief administration is
done at the bidding of the Federal
director unless a special request has
been made. 1t was learned on def
mite authority that such investigation
is being conducted here. One of the
chief reasons actuating it, it was in
dicated. is the attitude of Federal Of
ficials that the District of Columbia
IS receiving more than its due in re-
lief funds
Federal relief officials. it was
learned. consider the approximately
5000 persons on the District relief
rolls as an unusually high number for
city which they claim has suffered
less economically than almost any city
in the country. They pointed out that
the District is spending in relief al
most as much as some of the big in
dustrial centers, where economic prob
lens have been aggravated for years
by the depression.
Transient Problem Cited.
One reason for the many persons
on the relief rolls here. it was said,
is the transient problem. Of1icials
pointed out, however. that the Fed
eral administration had been given to
PSAcAAo Oii NAAS iNAANi
rolls are residents of Washington A
careful study is being made. it was
indicated. to check every name and
determine actual needs in each case.
While Federal officials would not
predict the outcome of these inquiries.
they indicated it is possible a re-
organization of the relief administra-
ton would have to be worked out if
the costs are to be reduced to a point
satisfactory to the Federal admins
tration.
Washingtons large colored popula-
ton, it was said has something TO
do with the numbers of unemployed.
Many Former Domestics.
A great many of these colored un-
employed, it was said, are former
domestics wlo have been let out of
service.
Relief in the District it was said
must be put on an absolute basis of
actual need.
Whatever course the investigation
may develop within the next few
weeks. it was learned definitely to-
day there will be no curtailment in
the May relief funds for the District.
The application has not yet been
received at headquarters, it was said,
although it is expected any day.
To Ask Million.
The Commissioners will file the re-
quest for funds for relief activities
here during May soon. 1t is ex-
pected they will ask for between $780,
900 and sl,000,000.
Commissioner Allen said today the
amount had not been definitely deter
mined While the April expenditures
will total approximately Sl,000,00O.
District officials hope the May dis
bursements may be reduced somewhat
by effecting some economies in opera
tions through a closer check on dis
bursementS.
Hopkins yesterday approved an ad-
ditional grant of 100000 for the last
week of this month. He did so re-
luctantly however, because he had
been informed the original grant of
| $500, 900 tor April would be sufficient.
Hopkins, in fact, took Allen severely
to task because the 100000 had not
been apportioned to carry through the
month.
Relief funds for the District totalec
! S2,5225O5 in 1893. With March fig.
| ures unavailable, it was said that re-
lief expenditures here for all pur-
poses in January were $207,536 and
for February they we're $368,252.
The total relief figures for the Dis
trict last year exceeded those of about
half a dozen States This is no in
dication. however, that Washington
was favored over those States as
State lines are ignored and relief ex-
penditures based solely on actual
needs.