Evening star., 1936-05-12
W.P.A. HEADS MAP
AID FOR CR|PPLES.
New York Man Assures Hop.
kins Full Program Has
Been Provided.

Victor F. Ridder, New York w. p. A.
administrator, here today for con-
ference with Harry L. Hopkins, as
sured him a very full program" has
been provided for the League Of
Physically Handicapped. which he will
announce in New York tomorrow.
He told Hopkins the SO cripples who
had returned to New York early today
after a three-day siege of Washington,
had caused him plenty of trouble" in
the past.
The crippled men and women left
here last night after being denied a
personal audience with President
Roosevelt and after Hopkins had
turned down their demands for spe-
cial work relief program for the han
dicapped.
After a conference with Hopkins,
Ridder explained that the delegation
that came here were mentally as well
as physically handicapped" and quite
frankly stated they had really come
here to stir up more trouble"
Return Is Indicated.
He did not state the nature of the
program for the handicapped nor the
actual number already on work relief
Jobs. Statements made by the dele
cation on their visit to Washington
we're to the effect that 1900 of the
handicapped were on jobs, but some
5000 were still on relief rolls.
Washington may see them again
soon. for as they left last night on
. special railroad coach provided at
". P. A. expense, their parting shot
was:
We're going to send committee
back here In a week or So"
Unsuccessful In their first attempt
TO obtain definite promise Of special
program for the handicapped. the
delegation issued a statement before
their departure to the effect they felt
their mission to Washington had
accomplished much good" The
White House refusal of a personal
interview was softened by assurances
from Marvin Mcintyre, one Of the
Presidents secretaries, that Mr.
Roosevelt would give his personal
consideration and study" to any con-
structive suggestion they might sub.
init.
Claim Support at Capitol.
1t was impossible for the President
TO see them. he notified Sylvia Flicker
youthful president of the League Of
the Physically Handicapped, because
of the tremendous demand on his
time in the closing weeks of Congress.
While disappointed at not being
admitted to the White House, they
claimed, however, they had won sup.
port from many Senators and Rep.
resentatives, both Republican anc
Democratic" Among the support.
ers" with whom they conferred al
the Capitol were Senator Borah, can.
Siidate for the Republican presi.
dental nomination: Senator Ben.
Son, Farmer Laborite, Minnesota
and Senator Frazier, Republican
North Dakota. Representatives Siro.
vich and Bloom, New York Demo.
Gratis, also promised them aid, 1t wa!
claimed.
Reservations Made, However.
The supporters at the Capitol, the
crippled men and women admitted
:had string tied to their promise.
! They agreed to get behind special
relief program for the handicapped
provided w. P. A. initiated it.
Their reluctant departure from
Washington was hastened by a state
ment that the offer of railway tick
cts would be withdrawn if they stayed
longer. The w. P. A. also paid their
hotel bill for one night only. After
delaying their departure several times
after o'clock, in endeavors to get
"a satisfactory reply from the White
House, they finally capitulated. There
was last wrangle about transporta-
tion to Union Station and they won
that point, too, with milk and sand
wiches thrown in by the w. P. A.