The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-12-19
PENALTY
T0D.C. RELIEF
ROLL DENIED

Washingtonians on relief rolls
will not be "penalized" for accept
ing Christmas baskets of food,
clothing and other gifts. despite
rumorS to the contrary, it was an
nounced today by relief officials.
However, it was said, those re-
ceiving food will not be granted
additional relief grants until that
food is used up. Explaining this
policy, Miss Alice Hill, of the local
relief organization said:
With a limited amount of
money. we must make 1t go as
far as possible. So no additional
food grants will be made persons
receiving Christmas baskets un-
til they have used up the sup
plies received in that manner.
"ThOse applying for additional
relief grants will be asked if they
received Christmas baskets, and
If they did we Sha''. not give
them anything so long as the
supply they have on hand lasts.
With limited relief funds avail
able we have to make every
cent count"
At relief headquarters it was
explained that additional grams
are made to families who have
used up their regular allotments
and are destitute. What Miss
Hill referred to has no bearing
on the regular grants.
President Roosevelt has decided
to place Harry Hopkins in COM
plete charge of next years relief
program now being drafted for
submission to Congress.
The Presidents plans a ii for
drastic simplification of the cum
berSome relief machinery and
scrapping of several costly agen-
cieS, including the Division Of APP
plication and Information.
This division was h d d by
Frank Walker, whose resignation
as chairman of the National
Emergency Council was announced
last night.
Ickes Excluded
The other member of the Big
Three" in the relief picture-Puo-
lie Works Administrator 1Ckes-
will be excluded from the new set
up in order to avoid further
clashes with Hopkins such as
those which embarrassed the Ad-
ministration last fall
IckeS will be given charge of the
500 million dollar Public Works
fund for specified projects which
the President has disclosed he will
ask Congress to approve.
Both the President and Hop
kins oppose revival of the dole,
although business interests hold
it the cheapest way of handling
relief.
The Work Relief fund for 1886
will be kept separate from Tckes'
public works program. The Presl-
dent is expected to ask Congress
for two thousand million dollars
for relief projects. He will suggest
that the present law requiring the
President to approve and sign
each allotment be changed. This
duty has proved too onerous.
Will Be Gear"
The stage will thus be set, if
Congress consents. to establish
Hopkins as the nations relief car
with even more sweeping powers
than the President already has
delegated to him.
They will urge Congress to
continue relief projects of the
type now carried on by Hopkins
Works Progress Administration.
despite charges that these prof.
ects reek with "boondoggling."
Hopkins announced yesterday
relief rolls in 145 of the nations
largest cities dropped only "a per
cent during November despite
employment of 100000 heads Of
families on works projects. -.
Hopkins yesterday ordered all
State directors to deliver pay
checks due to those employed on
the works program by Christmas
Eve.
No change in local relief pay
ments or policies will be made in
the next two months, Commits
sioner George E. Allen announced
yesterday, following a conference.
With 1861 persons still on the
relief rolls, it is possible that this
number will be reduced to $500
by January IS as the WPA pro
gram speeds up as expected, Com
missioner Allen said.
OF those on relief, about $500
are unemployables, it was esti-
mated,
%PFIH