Evening star., 1935-04-11
SOCIAL AGENCIES
CRISIS IS FEARED
Catholic Charities Official
Voices Concern Over New
Relief Policy.

Social agencies of America today
face the most critical period of theil
history as result of the decision Of
the Federal Government to turn from
direct relief to public works, Rev
Bryan J. McEntegart, director of the
Division of Child Care of the Catholic
Charities of the New York Arch
diocese, declared in a speech last
night at the annual meeting of the
Catholic Charities of Washington, in
the Willard Hotel
Although the public works act will
be "a godsend to the unemployed and
will rescue millions of families from
the decentralization of the dole, ~
Father McEntegart said, it still will
leave dangerous unemployment
problem and a tremendous threat to
our social security as a people"
The Presidents dictum that the
Federal Government must and shall
quit this business of relief" the
speaker said. means that except as
reviving private industry absorbs the
unemployed, some 100000 families
will be dependent upon other forms of
help, since the public works program
at its fullest expansion contemplates
taking care of only 100000 families
Fears Many May Suffer.
I'm addition there is the probability
that many, because of geographical
location and lack of training and
adaptability, will not be able to take
advantage of public works jobs. And
in addition to these there will be the
unemployables
"If the Presidents dictum is to be
adhered to, the social agencies of
America face the most critical period
of their history. A wholesale read
justment and revision of the programs
of such agencies, State, local and pri-
vate, must be contemplated. The task
of caring for those who will remain
on the relief rolls will constitute the
tremendous problems to which every
State and community must address
ITSELF"
The problem facing the country
upon elimination of the dole plan, ac-
cording to Father McEntegart, is two
fold. There is a financial problem
created by the serious question
whether many States and localities
will be able to cope with the relief
problem, even with the aid planned
from Federal funds under the social
security act. There also is a great
administrative problem because of the
danger that withdrawal of Federal re-
lief would in many places result in
the scrapping of State and local re-
lief committees set up under the Fed
eral plan.
Adequate Plans Needed.
The problem can be met, he said,
only by marshaling the best intelli-
gence and experience of every State
to plan for an adequate welfare set
up. In this task private social agen-
c1es must take prominent part.
The annual report of Catholic
Charities, made by Rev. Lawrence
Shehan, assistant director in charge
of local work, showed that during the
past year the family department as
sumed major responsibility for the
care of 903 families. OF that number
424 were carried over from 1888.
There were 293 new families.
Most Rev. Amleto Giovanni Cigog-
mani, apostolic delegate, presided at
last nights meeting, with Rev. John
O'Grady as moderator. The speaker
was introduced by DR.. Henry j. Cros-
son. A report of the st. Vincent de
Paul Society was presented by John
Pellen, a report of the Ladies of Char
ity by Mrs. George H. O'Connor and
a report of the Christ Child Society by
Mrs. Arthur Mullen. The papal bene-
diction was given by the apostolic
,Helegate. 4