Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-06-17
CRUCIAL 6 MONTHS
SEEN BY HOPKINS
Tells State Administrators
Roosevelt Looks to Them
to See lob Is Done.
By the Associated Press

By me ASSoctsheo FreSs-
In pep talk to State works
progress administrators. Harry L.
Hopkins asserted today that the next
six months will be the crucial time in
carving out that $4,000. 900 900 pro-
gram, and "the public and the Presi-
dent are looking to you to see that
the Job is done"
Earlier. a slight decline in the
number OF persons on relief in cities
was reported to Hopkins, the relief
administrator.
He ACKNOWLEDGED 10 the State Of
fcials that the Roosevelt sdministrs-
ton would be charged with buying
the election and playing politics"
He insisted, however. that banks
and General Motors would be crazy 70
hire men opposed TO what they are
doing" and that he knew Of no Stste
director who had asked for the job.
Confident If Cooperation.
Saving the program would be under
direct Federal supervision. he added
he YVES confident there would be CO.
operation from State and municipal
authorities.
Explaining that the responsibility
doesn't rest lightly on my shoulders"
he called on the executives tn see
that the job Is done IN the finest pos
sible way. make as few mistakes as
possible"
This Office won't let you down" he
added, but will back you up. You can
count on our complete support and
backing anything you do so long as
it is right.
Don't get mad at us. We can
change our minds and adapt ourselves
TO problems"
In statement given out by the
publicity staff ct relief headquarters,
meantime. Hopkins said the slight
reduction in urban relief rolls and
expenditures during April was due
mainly to improved business condi-
tons and 10 seasonal increase IN eg-
ricultursl employment
Relief Families Decrease.
The number of families and single
persons on relief in las cities repre-
senting SO per cent of the population.
dropped from 2,163.966 in April to
2,127.006 in MAY. 1t ives reported.
Expenditures in these cities were
shown to have declined from s6e.-
S10,653 to S6s, 183, 1884.
Curtsilment Of relief in Illinois dur
ing May appeared responsible for con-
siderable Of the decline. Exclusive OF
Chicago. the number of families and
single persons getting payments de-
clined only IA per cent and expendi-
lures increased per cent.
Hopkins mentioned declines In
Flint. Mich, and Gary. Ind. i'm
portant centers of the automobile and
steel industry" as instances Of i'm
provements he said we're due to bet
ter business conditions.
The Works Progress administrators
comforting with Hopkins and his aides
planned to cab on President Roose-
welt at 4 pm. today. 1t was indicated
at the White House be would have
something to say to them. The adj
ministrators will have group confer
ences tomorrow:
Charges "Debunked."
Hopkins yesterday released a survey
made in Baltimore which he said
'debupks" assertions that those on re-
lief were refusing jobs in private in
dustry so as to continue receiving
Federal aid. Out of 1875 complaints
investigated, Hopkins said, it was
found that only four persons had
turned down work and these were later
denied further relief money.
The factual study of all the alleged
refusals debunks the claims that there
is widespread preference for relief in
stead of jobs" Hopkins said.
The Works Applications Division to-
day announced that the Veterans Adj
ministration had applied for $S.413,775
to be spent on hospital buildings and
repairs and the Interior Department
asked for 1911 zoo for construction of
emergency landing fields in So Alas
kan villages and mining camps. Other
applications included $l67,474 by the
Agriculture Department for lighting
the boil weevil IN Arizona and $685.. 900
by the Navy for quay wall at the
Charleston, s. c.. Navy Yard.