Evening star., 1935-02-26
B0RAH TO DEMAND
SENATE ACTION ON
WORK RELIEF BILL
Copyright, A. P. Wirephot0.
Continued From First Page)

Labor has strongly backed the Nc
to continue to do so.
Senator McCarran pointed out that
the American Federation of Labor had
been informed of the Presidents letter
to Senator Glass opposing the pre-
vailing wage amendment and promis-
ing that there would be no reduction
of the wage scale generally If the Sc
curity wage was authorized for work
relief projects.
THE Federation was given an OPP
portunity at that time" said Senator
McCarran, ito withdraw its support
of the prevailing wage amendment. 1t
did not do So"
Senator Borah said he had only two
letters about the work relief bill and
the situation in which that measure
now finds itself.
Both of these letters" said Borah.
opposed the entire work relief bill.
Their authors complained that there
was no information as to how or for
what purpose this appropriation OF
$4,000, 900 900 was to be spent"
SOPCidAlA Va @'C" AoAAi NN~
other Democrat who supported the
McCarran amendment, said he had
had very few messages of any kind
about the bill. Letters he had received,
the New York Senator said, were
about evenly divided for and against
the prevailing wage amendment. He
predicted that eventually the admin
istration would have to yield in its
opposition to this amendment.
Few Sent to Norris.
Senator Norris of Nebraska, also a
Republican and generally supporter
of President Roosevelt, although he
voted for the McCarran amendment,
said he had had very few messages
regarding the bill.
At the White House, it was impos-
sible to obtain any comment regarding
messages received there in regard to
the amendment. Anything given out,
it was said. would have to come from
the President in Hyde Park
The administration leaders con-
tinued to mark time, apparently wait
ing either for word from the country
or from the President.
Senate McCarran said he thought
the administration might undertake a
waiting game until the money still
available for use to carry on relief had
been about exhausted. Then pressure
would be brought to bear to hurry
through legislation SO the needy would
not starve. If that course should be
undertaken, the Nevada Senator said,
members Of the Appropriations Com
mittee might themselves go ahead and
hold a meeting to consider relief bill
even If 1t were not called by the chair
man, Senator Glass. That, however,
would be an unusual course and last
resort.
May Substitute Bill.
There is still the possibility that
the Appropriations Committee may re-
port out relief bill carrying $780,
10000 for direct relief. If this Is
done. Senator McCarran said he would
still offer his prevailing wage amend
ment and gave as his reasons the
fact that when the Senate and House
met in conference on the bill the
House $4,000, 100000 provision for
work relief would be considered by
the confereeS.
Administration leaders say they are
counting upon the House to sustain
the President in his opposition to the
prevailing wage amendment If the
fight is carried that far. There is
strong opinion, however, that if the
Senate ever sends the McCarran
amendment to the House, 1t will be
concurred in by that body. If that
were not the case, McCarran and
others ask, why did not the Senate
20 right ahead with the work relief
bill. including the McCarran amend
ment, instead Of sending it back to
the committee?