Evening star., 1936-01-15
WELFARE BOARD,
TAKING RELIEF lob,
NEEDS NEW FUND
Estimates $5OO,00O to
100000 Required to
Handle Task.
FIGURE is FAR UNDER
SUM SET BY ALLEN
Commissioner Calculated $700, 900
Necessary Because W. P. A.
Failed to Absorb 10000.

Assuming direct control over the
District emergency relief program,
given up yesterday by Commissioner
George E. Allen because of the end
of the Federal dole, the Board of Pub
lie Welfare today outlined the need
of a supplemental District relief ap-
preparation of $500,000 or 100000.
Need of the additional fund was
cited by Chairman Frederick w. Nc
Reynolds of the Welfare Board in
public statement in which he en-
phasized the Districts relief problem
would continue indefinitely and would
call for a permanent program.
The sum he suggested as needed to
meet the problems of the dependent
here was considerably less than that
proposed recently by Allen. The Com
missioner had calculated more than
S7OO 900 would be needed because al
most 10000 cases are still on the Dis
trict relief roster despite expansion
of the program of the Works Progress
Administration.
Board Will Meet.
The Public Assistance Committee
of the Welfare Board will meet next
Wednesday to review the situation
and the full board will meet the fol-
lowing Tuesday. 1t is expected the
board then will formulate a definite
plea for supplemental appropriation.
With the ending of the Federal dole,
District relief funds have been drawn
upon at a rate which forecasts ex-
haustion prior to the end of the fiscal
year.
McReynolds' statement was not
conclusive as to the amount of addi-
tional money needed. He said:
1T is quite clear that, with AN in
creasing number of unemployables
who cannot be absorbed into the Fed
eral works program: with an increas-
ing number of persons on relief who
are employable but not eligible for
the works program because they came
to the end of their resources after
November |, 1885, and the inability,
so far, of the works program to alb
sorb all of the eligible employables
on relief in the District, additional
funds will have to be sought from
Congress as deficiency appropria-
ton at a proper time in the amount
that may be approved by the Com
misSioners.
Estimates 100000 Maximum.
"At the present time, some $780,
900 to 100000 additional would ap-
pear to be necessary. This amount
will be modified by the development
of the works program, by possible ap-
preparation for old-age assistance and
aid for the needy blind. and by pos
sible grants in aid from the Federal
Social Security Board.
''All these factors must be taken
into consideration in the administra-
ton of the Districts own relief fund
as distinguished from the Federal re-
lief funds -
McReynolds said the board accepted
responsibility for the relief program
with all humility and solemn sense
of Obligation He added:
"As a group of citizens. non-parti-
Sail tiliJold anu NlidA SCo ny la ;" Will
the administration of the various in
stitutions and agencies under its direc-
ton, the Board of Public Welfare will
do its utmost to see that the District
relief and public assistance services
are carried on with the fullest regard
for the desire of the taxpayer for econ
omy, of the person who needs public
assistance for aid according to that
need and of the community as whole
for protection against the evils which
are bred now and in the future by
poverty. malnourishment and degra-
dation."
Rehabilitation Stressed.
Stressing that there are thousands
now unemployed and on relief who
cannot be absorbed into normal eco
nomic life, McReynolds said:
I'VE must plan, therefore. not mere
ly for relief of those who are in dis
treSs, but also for the rehabilitation.
so far as possible, of those who may
be trained for some kind of employ
ment and also for the development of
activities within the District, which
may employ persons who cannot be
employed in the present established
lines of business. The task of long
time public assistance is not merely
one of relief, but of diagnosis and
treatment of persons who are socially
sick"
The board chairman paid a high
tribute to Allen for his handling of
the relief problem. He declared: Com
missioner Allen has been cooperative,
resourceful, energetic, considerate.
untiring in devotion to duty. effective
in his contacts with Federal authori-
ties, progressive and most happily
dedicated to the principle of develop
ing competent emergency relief and
public assistance service"
A.