Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-23
SUPPLEMENT AID
HELD REQUIRED BY
LOW RELIEF WAGE
Commissioner Allen Faces
Problems Accumulated
in Absence.
WAITING WORK INCLUDES
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Elwood Street Already Receiving
Petitions for Extra Help, but
Holds Up Action.

Supplementary relief must be pro-
vided numerous families on the relief
rolls, whose needs cannot be covered
by the subsistence" wages under the
works program, Commissioner George
E. Allen declared today on his return
from vacation.
Allen started at once to wrestle with
a number of relief problems that arose
in his months absence on a trip to
the West Coast. Effects on the de-
mobilization of transient relief, delay
in starting the free school lunch pro-
gram and the question of shortening
hours of work for those engaged in
the Works Progress Administration
system were being studied.
Allen, who is relief administrator
and works progress administrator for
the District, said the granting Of sup
Elementary relief to workers in the
new employment program is social
problem" that was recognized months
ago. +.
Supplementary Aid Required.
Members Of large families who are
in the lower wage brackets in the
W. P. A. program cannot get by finan-
cially and must be given supplement
tary relief" he declared. IF Federal
rules forbid use Of Federal relief or
works grants for this purpose. then
it will have to be met otherwise.
The problem is there and must
be met"
Elwood Street, welfare director.
stated last week he was receiving
petitions for extra aid, but had to
withhold action until the Commits
sioners planned new measures.
The Federal Emergency Relief Ad-
ministration has notified us that their
funds are not to be used for supple
mentation," he said. land asked US
not to use our local funds"
How the problem would be met.
Allen could not say until he made
further study of details, he said
While never very enthusiastic about
the past methods of handling needy
transientS, Allen voiced concern over
new transients coming here without
funds and ineligible for either the
new works program or regular Dis
trict relief.
Arrivals 120 Per Day.
Director Street had reported last
week that new transients had been
arriving here at the rate Of more
than l20 per day. No new transients
could be added to the Transient Bu-
reau list after last Friday midnight.
The transient program is to be COM
pletely delnobilized by November l by
transfer of cases to work rolls or TO
c. c. c. camps, or by being sent
back to their homes
Arrangements must be made for
care here of transients who claim
this as their legal residence and are
sent back here. Allen said.
State work relief directors have ben
left to decide about shortening Of min
imum hours of work under the w. P.
A. as result Of compromise by Harry
L. Hopkins, Federal w. P A head. with
union labor The old rule was a min
imum of 100 hours a month. In the
District those on the new program
have been working about lao hours a
month.
Bitter Fight Waged.
Organized labor has waged a bitter
fight against the rule nationally,
claiming it would drive down wage
scales in private fields. The security
wages here range from S45 to $40 per
month.
Allen several times has taken sides
with union labor in District issues. He
withheld announcement CT any de-
cision as to reducing working hours.
pending a careful review of the situa-
ton.
The free lunches prepared at CEN
trail kitchen for service to needy school
children was financed last school year
out of emergency relief grants. Shift
ing of this cost to the Districts grants
for the W. P. A. program has been pro-
posed in a project sent to Federal Of
ficials, but this is one of the programs
caught in the jam at Federal head
quarters. Food supplies have been or
dered, out of District relief appropria-
tions. but funds are not available for
personnel.