Evening star., 1935-04-02
Senate Conterees Decide
Not to Resign as Result of
Robinson Criticism.
DIRECT LABOR PROVISO
HELD MENACE BY ICKES
Reiterates Belief That Program
Would Be Crippled if Senators
Insist on Amendment.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Congressional conferees on the
$4.ss0, 900 900 relief bill failed to reach
an agreement today at their first
meeting since recommital on the ad-
ministration-opposed direct labor
amendment.
Another meeting was called for later
in the day.
Senator Glass, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia, head of the Senate managers
announced the five senatorial con-
ferees had decided not to resign as
a result of criticisms leveled at them
yesterday by Democratic Leader
Robinson.
The meeting with the House group
lasted about two hours, but Glass said
We have reached no agreement"
Labor Proviso Fought.
The amendment inserted at the first
conference at the request of the SEN
ate conferees and opposed by Presi-
dert Roosevelt and Secretary Ickes
would require expenditure of at least
one-third of the 5000 ,OO0. 900 set aside
for loans and grants to States fol
direct" labor.
IckeS maintains this would cripple
or halt many projects such as rural
electrification, slum clearance and
school building construction where di.
rect labor requirements would not
reach 331s per cent.
The veteran Virginia Senator. re.
sentful of Senator Robinson's state
ment yesterday that the bill had been
committed to Its enemies" was boil.
ing over today at a newspaper head
line saying, Glass Recants"
Il have recanted nothing" he said
indicating he would stand to the enc
for the labor clause.
Fears Projects Endangered.
The bill was returned to conference
yesterday by the House after Secretary
Ickes, with the support of President
Roosevelt. complained the labor pro-
vision would prevent the carrying out
of many projects, including Slum clear.
ance, rural electrification and certain
housing construction.
AS the congressional conferees met
Secretary Ickes insisted to newsmer
that the requirement Of one-third di
rect labor on future Public Works Ad
ministration projects would mean Il
isn't worth us spending any NOR,
time planning, he money must be al
given away" He added that Fresi.
dent Roosevelt replied personally t.
his appeal against the conference
amendment limiting the 5000 .000, ,00t
ALLEGATION.
Ickes declined to give a direc
answer to he question whether h,
would refuse to administer the func
If the amendment stayed in the meas
ure.
New r ormula Required.
Further this deponent sayeth not,
he remarked.
Ickes said that practically" i
would help 10 count work in pro-
ducing materials as direct labor, bu
contended even this would reQuir,
p. w. A. to set up an entirely new
formula, and would mean unneces
Sary handicapping'
Glass. determined supporter Of TIT
amendment. was said by the P. W. A
administrator to be suffering from 1
Misrepresentation" He added:
Il think there's perfectly legiti'
mate difference of opinion. have thu
highest respect not only for his ability
l.; i~fa iv,to ifrys
Declining to say how soon a new
work program could get started after
final passage. Ickes observed, There
are a great many divisions in which
it is proposed to use the money anc
| I haven't concerned myself with any
thing except public works"