Nogales international., 1935-08-03
ARIZONA EDITORIAL CLIPPINGS
The Unemployment Relief Situation

The people Of Arizona are somewhat confused as
to the status of the unemployment relief situation
The state and county welfare boards, which hereto
fore have directed the expenditure Of funds ably and
satisfactorily, are to be superseded by new seup,
it is stated, with an entire group OF new faces in
charge The welfare board members not privileg
ed to draw salaries for their services but it is under
stood that in the arrangements, those who ad-
minister the relief will be paid, many Of them any
way
The ones who hereafter will distribute the work
and funds, with few exceptions, were not picked
from the ranks of the jobess but number have been
selected who are in good financial circumstances and
who assUredly do not need the jobs. Later On, per-
haps, the matter will be clarified, the cloak OF Sc
crecy will be pulled back and all will be thoroughly
understood.
There has been considerable delay in getting the
new program under way, great deal more than was
considered necessary. This mainly has been due to
friction Of views and conflict of authority at Wash
ngton.
On last April 8, congress, at the request Of the
president, passed bill appropriating $488OOOOOOO
for work relief
At that time, Mr. Roosevelt stated that by July
all of the nations unemployed who were able to
work would have federal jobs and would be off the
local relief rolls
July came and passed More than 4OO,OOO,OOO
had been approved for 474 projects yet not single
man had been put to work.
The reason is tWo-fod First, and most import
ant the works program is supposed to employ $780,
900 men for one year. 1t that is done, the cost per
worker, including materials, must be held down to
the very low figure of 81 ,143
Second there has been constant disagreement be-
tween Secretary of the Interior Ickes and Relief Ad
mnstraor Hopkins. Mr. Ickes is the head of the pub
lie works administration, and Mr. Hopkins guides the
works progress administration The two bureaus in
evitably overlap-and both executives claim jurisdic
tion over the same projects.
Mr.. Ickes Is of the opinion that relief money
should be spent for projects Of permanent benefit
gradecrossing elimination, river and harbor develop
ments road work, and the like. Mr. Hopkins, on the
other hand is concerned only with putting men to
work. and he knows that the adoption of projects in
(which material costs high will defeat that pur-
pose AS result, he favors projects which require
only labor, and demand few or no materials wood
land clearance malaria CONTROL repairs to public
buildings and so The two men are 50 diametrca-
ly opposed in their views that is seemed no comprom
ise was possible.
A fortnight ago the president stepped in and
provided partial settlement to the problem He de-
cded the question of jurisdiction by outngng which
Iprojects are to be controlled by Mr. Hopkins which
Iby Mr. Ickes. Result: All projects involving the ex
penditure Of less than $4,000 are to be handled by
Mr.. Hopkins; all those costing more, by Mr. Ickes
For example: If the president approves the building
Of canal Mr.. Ickes will handle tiff he says yes
to ditch, it will be done by Mr. Hopkins Mr. Jckes
will build highways, while Mr. Hopkins builds trails
Mr. Ickes will erect public buildings and Mr. Hopkins