Evening star., 1936-03-19
RELIEF BILL HELD
DUEFOR APPROVAL
Opposition Will Not Check
Presidents Program,
Leaders Predict.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
President RooSevelt's request for a
81 soc. .ooo, 900 relief appropriation for
next year led to clashes Of opinion on
Capitol Hill today, but Democratic
leaders predicted Congress would ap-
prove it.
Republicans and some Democrats
were critical. but many in both par
ties conceded the program would pass
because, they said, concerted opposi-
ton sufficient to stop it was not In
sight.
Some saw in the message delivered
yesterday an effort to steer a middle
course between extreme congressional
demands for economy and huge re-
lief spending.
The $1,50o00o,0o0 requested is
smaller than some liberals" hoped
for. 1t compares with s4,880, 900 900
appropriated last year. On the other
hand, by adding the s1,500.000 900 to
unexpended balances and relief money
provided in the regular budget, the
President proposes to build s3,OOO,-
10000 relief fund. This almost
matches the demands of the liberal
spenders.
Nine Billion Total Indicated.
A recasting of fiscal figures today
indicated total Government spending
next year would exceed ss,000,0 0,0O0,-
O0O-topping all previous peace-tlme
records. Mr.. Roosevelt, evidently f1g-
uring on increased revenues, forecast
the deficit would be smaller than this
years estimated s3,234,000,O00.
Few were completely satisfied with
the relief recommendation. Chairman
Buchanan of the House Appropriations
Committee expressed the view OF many
Democrats who were unenthusiastic,
but willing to acquiesce. He said 1t
was "all right" but he would "like 1t
better if it was lower"
Senate liberals, who were ready to
battle If the administration cut relief
below levels they consider necessary,
withheld comment pending study OF
the program. They noted with satis-
faction, however, the Presidents warn
ing that another appropriation
would be necessary if industry did not
absorb some of the burden.
Chief criticism of the Presidents
request was that he asked for another
lump sum-" or as some characterized
1t, "a blank check" This was ex-
petced to bring renewed demands fol
an investigation of the spending of last
years s4,88O .ooo.0 900.
Work Critics Gives Views.
On the other hand, some legislators
Including critics of the work relief
program, such as Senator Adams
Democrat, of Colorado, took the view
it was impossible to allocate appro-
priations for such program as the
w. P. A., or the old F. E. r. A.
Adams and others demanded the
appropriation should carry stipula-
ton to prevent the fund being used to
start such large projects as the Florida
ship canal, which would require
further money to complete.
Senator McNary of oregon, Repub-
lican leader, led the demand for
"bill of particulars" as to how the
money was to be spent. He was Joined
by Senator Clark. Democrat, of Mis-
souri,, who said he was tired of sign
ing blank checks"
But Chairman Glass of the Senate
Appropriation Committee, who has
been highly critical of administration
spending, suggested he would go along
with the lump-sum plan. He sale
that while he opposed lump sums "a
a general rule" he felt in this cast
the President had shown rather clear.
ly where the money was to go.
Holt Demands Probe.
Soon after the Presidents message
was read Senator Holt, Democrat, o.
West Virginia arose in the Senate anc
demanded thorough and searching
investigation of the Works Progress
Administration.
He reiterated charges that politics
control the w. P. A. in West Virginia
and asserted that if Harry L. Hopkins
w. P. A. administrator, lis as honest
as he says he is and has any respect
for the integrity" of the Federal Gov
ernment, he could not oppose sena-
torial inquiry.
Again attacking Hopkins personally
the West Virginian said he knew w
p. A. was rotten and corrupt" in hi;
State, but that since Hopkins had re-
ported the State w. P. A. admins
tration to be lilly white" he was
doubtful of conditions in other States
He added that if Hopkins swore tc
what was contained in his report or
West Virginia "he could be convicted