The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1936-05-29
RELIEF-PLAYfNG WITH FIRE

Apparently there Is to be no genuine "H''i"I
effort to reach basic decisions on the problem u
unemployment relief in the United States before
November The $l,5OO,0000O work relief Dill Is
to be pushed through congress this week. WIN Inc
Roosevelt administration already knee deep IN inc
elections turbulent stream, the president manifest
" does not want to change horses ny trying ne"
relief policy. Yet there must be reassessmeht ol
aims and methods And the election itself Will cause
unofficial study of the problem to be made by many
conscientious voter.
There is every indication that relief will be on"
Of the ma jor issues of the campaign unless the Re
pub!jcan marty biunders. Mr.. Hoover, that most
experienced of relief administrators, has made some
of his most effective attacks or the New Deal in
mis- speeches on the subject One of the few eX-
amples of vigorous opposition in congress has been
Senator Vandenbergs fight for a change in relief
methods Indeed some of the vigor of the Repub-
Hcan attack on relief arises from the fact that it
is one subject on which most of the Republicans
are in agreement and already prepared To Oher
definite alternative program.
1t is clear even now that the Cleveland platform
will demand decentralization of relief 1t may even
even be more specific and propose federal grants
in aid to be administered by local agencies. by
uon-poitical local agencies responsive to commun-
ity needs and familiar with community problems"
This is the wording Of draft just put oUt by
committee representing FIVE Republican organiza-
tions in New York.
There is little question that some such plan would
win much popular support. There is feeling that
the present relief system is waSeful and political.
Disclosures like those made by Senator Holt Of
West Virginia, the failure Of relief rolls to decline
in anything like the proportion of business I'M
provement, and some common experience with the
operation Of the system all tend to make this feel
ing almost conviction. Anyone who has noticed
how often the familiar sign along the road, Men
at Work is misleading, be easily persuaded
that the present relief system is not a complete
success.
Among even the sylnpathetcalIy inclined there
is growing belief that made work is often so
little respected by many workers that it Is as harm
full to morale as a straight dole. Even those who
know what unusually capable administrator
Harry Hopkins has made, question whether such
extensive Capitalization as federal administration
entails can be free of politics and waste. Con-
tlnued laANty in handling unemployment relief was
largely responsible for the overturn of the Labor
Government IN Great Britain in 1881. Impatience
with the present system will not long be kept in
bounds in America
The aiacrIty with which federal money is ac-
cepted is no measure Of the popularity of the relief
system. Among farmers, particularly, waste is re-
garded as little short of criminal. And among some
OF the farmers upon whom the Democratic party is
counting Tor new political support the feeling
against reHei abuses may be strong enough to out
weigh gratitude Tor farm aid, Indeed, Impotence
Win Une system IS so strong today in many areas
OIL Poputar thought that on this issue the Admins
tra1lon Is raced with something like the discomfort
ana desire Ior change which brought it into office.
Inc NePuoicalS will not have. to prove that their
proposals Tor handling relief are sound and work
able. Ihey can win many a vote by merely offer
ing something different in the way of relief policy
| maseu' the temptation is great for both parties
to make rellet political question rather than to
! go TO the trouble of finding out what plan will
meet the need which manifesty still present and
meet 1t Win the greatest benefit to those requiring
reei ana the last cost to the country both in poll
acs ana money. Proposals for a acknowledging re-
APPRAISAL OF rehet purposes and methods have so
isE Hese'ep iess attention from either party than
llhey uesefEe, For the Administration such an in
Vssllga1oA might offer graceful and less politi-
Cary managing way Of revising policy than would
r. iias SUBMISSION to opposition demands. For the
HsepoDne@hs the soundest relief, policy will ult-
lpa'eS Prov the most safe policy politically. In
tose9' ptsSg with relief is playing with fire. And
asoe from the parties, the welfare of the country
might De consdered.-Ch Christian Science Monitor.
/ Stu, husband seldom quits bringing gifts till
ms WE quits squealing with delight when she gets
one.