Evening star., 1935-11-17
MAYOR ASSA|LS
WITHDRAWAL Of
FEDERAL RELIEF
Cities and States Not in
Position to Take Over
Burden, Says Hoan.
MORE THAN HUNDRED
EXECUTIVES GATHER
Hopkins to Address Conference
Tuesday and Answer Questions.
Visit to White House.

AS the mayors of more than 100 of
the Nations largest cities began con-
verging on Washington last night.
seeking information on the admins
tration's future relief plans, Mayor
Daniel w. Hoan of Milwaukee branded
as absolutely untrue" any statements
that States and cities now are In
position to take over the relief burden
from the Federal Government.
The bluntness of the Socialist presi-
dent Of the United States Conference
of Mayors, who has headed the city
government in Milwaukee since 1916,
forecast stormy opening of the three
day sesson Of municipal executives to-
morrow at the Maydower Hotel.
Harry L. Hopkins, Works Progress
administrator, who is endeavoring to
end all Federal relief contributions
December l, will address the confer
ence Tuesday. A discussion Of relief
problems during which the admins
traitor has consented to answer ques-
tons from the floor, will follow his
address.
c. OF c. Comment Criticised.
In an interview last night with the
Associated Press, Mayor Hoan COM
mented sharply on statement in the
periodical review of the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States, which
said:
There are strong intimations that
the administration intends to insist
that the States and their subdivisions
carry the burden Of relief in the fu-
ture. Improvement in the economic
position of the States and municipali-
ties is such that they are fully capable
of bearing larger load"
The veteran mayor said there are
few agencies (which know less about
civic affairs than chambers Of COM
merce."
1T may be that some time In the
future cities and States will be able to
care for people who can't work. But
they don't have funds even for 'un-
employables' right now. The Federal
Government must give them time to
adjust budgets and make plans"
The first discussion of relief will
come tomorrow morning when Mayor
F. H. La Guardia of New York, mem
Der of the Works Progress Allotment
Board. will report on progress Of the
work relief drive.
Plans Two Proposals.
Mayor Hoan said that he intends
to present two proposals to the con-
vention. One would request Congress
to enact legislation for expanding low
cost home building through municipal
credit. The other would seek an
amendment to the social security act
to permit municipal employees to
share in old age pension plans, In
which the Federal Government would
match local contributions up to SIS
a month.
President Roosevelt will receive the
mayors at the White House Tuesday
at 4:30 pm, after which the annual
banquet will be held at pm. in the
Mayf1ower. Mayor Hoan will preside.
Senator Wagner, Democrat, Of New
York will speak on national housing
program, which will be one of the is
sues in the next Congress.
Secretary of Labor Perkins will
speak on the same program with Hop
kins. Her subject will be The New
Social Security Program"
At tomorrow's opening session May
or T. Semmes Walmsley of New Or
leans will preside. District Commis-
sioner Melvin c. Hazen will welcome
the delegates.
Attorney General Cummings will
talk on Cooperation of Law En-
forcement Agencies" at a luncheon to-
morrow, while the afternoon will be
given over to talks on public safety,
including traffic control.
Others to Be Heard.
Lieut. Frank M. Kreml, dean and
safety engineer of Purdue University.
will speak at this session on Safety
and Traffic Control" Fire Chief p. J.
Steinkellner of Milwaukee will speak
on fire prevention and Henry H. Cur
ran of the Mayors Noise Abatement
Committee of New York will give a
report along that line.
Secretary Of the Treasury Morgen-
thau, jr, will address the final session
Wednesday on Problems of Public
Finances and the Cities" The may
ors will receive reports and elect off,
GERS Wednesday afternoon.
At special session tomorrow eve
| ming members nf the Cities A1lia nce
will discuss the problem of "Cities
and Natural Cas-" with John w.
Smith, president of the Common
Council of Detroit, presiding.
A pre-convention meeting Of the
Executive and Advisory Boards of the
Mayors Conference will be held this
afternoon at 730 Jackson place.