Evening star., 1936-03-25

sources Of charity or local philan-
thropic agencies.
The committee Is not willing to re-
quire this abrupt termination Of re-
lief to these $4,000 cases without some
notice and opportunity on behalf of the
relief clients to obtain other methods
of assistance. The Board of Com
missioners desired $608,000 instead Of
the $250,0 which the budget esti-
mate provided for The $608 900 would
have carried the present status until
July /, next. when the same determin-
alton would have to be made unless
the pending District Of Columbia ap-
preparation bill for 1887, when finally
enacted. provides for a larger amount
than the budget estimate for 1887.
Gives Total of S475,o00.
THE sum which is provided in the
accompanying joint resolution is $780,
900. which sum, together with the
$125, 900 on hand, will give total of
s475. 900 for the period from April l
to June 80 next. This will enable local
authorities to provide for the 'unem-
ployables' and to taper off gradually
the relief Of the 'employables.'
The problem presented was a most
difficult one. With the $3.50 900 pro-
vided in this joint resolution the total
of funds for relief in the District Of
Columbia from Federal and local
sources for the present fiscal year will
reach $ll 100000. This includes Allot-
ments from F. E. r. A. and w. P. A.
in addition to funds provided from
District Of Columbia revenues. On
the basis Of the amounts heretofore
made available from Federal and Dis
trict Of Columbia revenues and the
amount carried in the joint resolu-
ton. the District Of Columbia will
have furnished about 20 per cent of
the total and the Federal Government
80 per cent.
1T is realized that due to the pres
ence Of the National Capital there
has been an influx Of persons who
thought greater possibilities of secur-
ing employment or opportunities of
relief prevailed here than in other
cities. No doubt there are many per-
sons who would work If opportunity
was presented and also some who will
not work so long as relief continues.
Paradoxical Situation Cited.
"A rather paradoxical situation ex-
lists in that Washington at the present
time from the standpoint Of construc-
ton and retail trade Is perhaps more
prosperous than at any time in its his
tory, and yet, there exists this very
large charity roll. The Community
Chest pledges have fallen from $2,-
444 900 in 1882 to Sl,757, 900 in 1886,
with Government salaries restored to
100 per cent level and a near peax
in Government employment with its
consequently large bimonthly dis
bursement. there seems no logical rea-
son why private charitable contribu-
tions should not also be at the highest
level in the history Of the city.
THE committee believes that unless
curtailment is commenced, the large
relief load may become a more or less
permanent factor. The open season is
approaching when many Of the EN-
ployables' here should find opportunity
for reasonable work elsewhere, and.
indeed, there must also be some en-
ployment in the city if 1t be diligently
sought and accepted when offered.
In raising the budget estimate
from $25o,ooo to $3sO,0oo the commit
tee has heightened the period avail
able to the Board Of Commissioners
and the Board of Public Welfare to
work out the transition problem. It
may be necessary to raise the present
one-year residence requirement to
longer period and to resort to more
strict regulation to keep within the
funds that are made available"