Evening star., 1936-04-11
RELIEF INQUIRY
PUSHED AS HOUSE
SEEKS CANAL FUND
G. 0. P. Senators Demand
Full Accounting-Ask for
Salary List.
ICKES.HOPKINS ROW
RENEWAL FORESEEN
Lawmakers Want Names of All
Workers Who Make Over
$1,000 Annually.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
administration OF Federal relief
OF needy unemployed. either
through made t0ork or cash dis
tribution, probably Utl be point OF
major attack by Republicans in
November elections
In recent months, even Demo-
Gratis, particularly in Senate, hare
been loudly critical OF works pro-
gram, charging graft, politics and
ineficiency. Administration re-
quest for $500, ,000,0 900 for work
relief is nou pending in House.
Work on 100000 900 Florida
ship canal wus started last year
Uith relief funds; this Winter
Senate refused to authorize project
in regular appropriation bill.
BY the Associated Press
Senate Republicans we're laying the
groundwork today for an investigation
of relief, while in the House moves
were under way to extend the Public
Works Administration and revive the
Florida ship canal.
The minority party member pre-
pared many questions with the idea
of asking them when Senate hearings
begin on President Roosevelt's request
for a ,50O,000,000 relief appropria-
ton for next year.
Senator Steiwer, Republican, Of
Oregon. paved the way with demand
for the names of all Works Progress
and ReSettlement Administration en-
ployes drawing salaries Of $1,000 a
year or more.
Steiwer introduced resolutions call
ing upon Harry L. Hopkins and Rex
ford G. Tugwell, the respective admin
istrators, for the information.
Demand Canal Funds.
Hopkins recent testimony before
the House Appropriations Committee
that none of next years relief fund
would go to the Public Works Admin
istration, the Florida ship canal or the
Passamaquoddy embarrassing projec
in Maine brought immediate reaction
Members of Congress paraded before
the committee demanding further
funds for P. w. A and seeking to pro-
vide for continuation of the ship canal
The P. w. A. is authorized by Law
to continue another year, but President
Roosevelt's program contemplates nc
new money for it. Several hundred
million dollars from this years fund
will be available to complete work al
ready underway.
Appearance of Florida Congressmer
before the committee asking allotment
of further money for the ship cana
signified that another attempt will bt
made to get congressional approval o
that s15O,O00, 600 to 100000 ,00t
! project.
The Senate racently turned down {
new appropriation for the canal. Il
which President Roosevelt had allo
Gated S. 900 by executive order.
Hopkins or Ickes" Controversy.
A possible revival of the question
whether Hopkins or Secretary Ickes
public works administrator. should ad
minister public works funds developed
as the dissatified House members urget
the earmarking of s7OO,O00,000 TO
p w. A.
Once before, when the question aros
whether Ickes or Hopkins should carr,
the load of spending the $3.50. 900 .0O
appropriated last year, Mr.. Roosevelt
stepped in to smooth out the situation
House members who carried thei
demands to the committee yesterda,
were Representatives Better, Demo
crat, of New York; Green, Democrat
of Florida and McFarlane, Democrat
of Texas. They are the nucleus Of {
sizable bloc, working closely with Sen
ator Hayden, Democrat, Of Arizon
and some others in the Senate +
obtain funds for Ickes' P. w. A.
Fight Threatened.
The hackers of Secretary Icke
called meeting for Monday to ma
strategy for a floor fight if the com
mittee does not earmark for the P. "
A. some of the relief money requested
or at least make other provision for il
These developments followed
sharply-worded final report from Hug
S. johnson as former New York Cit
w. P. A. administrator, saying tn
work relief program was "as crue
as it is stupid"
Speaking of Johnson's indictment @
the relief program, Senator Barbour
Republican. Of New Jersey said
emphasizes the contention I hav
already made, that no more none
should be voted for relief until W
know it will be properly used"