Evening star., 1936-01-14
D. c. RELIEF WORK
TRANSFERRED TO
WELFARE BOARD
Youth Administration and
w. P. A. Projects Re-
tanned by Allen.
$500, 900 is AVAILABLE
REST OF FISCAL YEAR
Problem Is Outlined by City Head
in Proposing Move to
Commissioners.

The permanent relief burden Of
the District, involving care of un-
responsibility of the Board Of Public
Welfare. Administration of direct re-
lief has heretofore been under con-
troll of the District Emergency Relief
Administration, headed by Commis-
sioner Allen.
Allen suggested the transfer in view
of the Federal Governments policy
of devoting its relief funds to works
and Withdrawing aid for unemploy-
ables.
Allen will retain all w. p. A. and
Youth Administration work in the
new District set-up and all other
duties except the handling of direct
relief to families and individuals. This
work will be directed by the Board Of
Public Welfare along with its present
task Of handling some parts Of the
social security act, conducting the af-
fairs of prisons, industrial schools for
boys and girls, handling the tubercu-
losis hospitals, the Home for the Aged
and Infirm and other similar institu-
tions.
10000 Direct Cases Here.
At present there are approximately
10000 direct relief cases in the Dis
trict, most of them representing fam
lilies rather than individuals. Approx
imately 100000 is available to carry
on the work until the end Of the fiscal
year, June 80, 1886.
Present funds are estimated to be
about half Of the sum actually neces-
sary and as consequence, a large de-
flciency appropriation will have to be,
sought to continue the work until the
end of the year.
In proposing the transfer to the
Board of Commissioners today Allen
presented a formal recommendation
outlining the problem. His recon-
mendation said:
Recently there have been a num-
Der of important developments which
seriously affect the administration of
relief. The Federal Government is
Withdrawing from relief, leaving the
| financial burden and administrative
problems with the local communities.
Burden Up to Communities.
GAS the Federal Government with
draws its financial support, these local
communities must assume full re-
sponsibility for relief problems. This
should be under the administration Of
raO1ilor deporfroopt IN tho locoI
government, rather than in temporary
emergency agencies. A permanent Or
ganization is necessary to plan and
administer relief program econom-
icaily without Federal financial aid.
Improved economic conditions
make it imperative that the local COM
munities carefully consider the best
| ton of relief rolls. Such reduction
should not be carried out indiscrim-
inately by curtailment of funds, but
rather by careful check on the actual
needs of individual cases.
while unemployment was increas-
| ing, our primary interest was in gen.
eral aspects Of relief and recovery.
Now, with the hope Of gradual nqui-
dation of relief in sight, the individual
relief case becomes the most important
consideration. The emphasis thereby
shifts from the economic to the social
aspect of the problem. For the proper
solution Of such problems there must
be experienced public officials thor
oughly trained in social service.
Time for Relief Transfer.
'In view of all these developments,
1t is believed that the time has come
to transfer the administration of re-
lief activities in the District Of Colum-
bia to an established social service or
ganization. As Commissioner of the
District of Columbia, hereby recon-
mend that all relief activities in this
area be placed under the supervision
| of the Board of Public Welfare. It
is a non-political organization, such
as the Board Of Education, created by
statute, and, in view of the existing
conditions, the logical agency to as
sumo the responsibility of relief ad-
ministration. This Is a sacred trust.
The happiness and welfare Of thou
sands of unfortunate people are in the
hands of the trustees.
In my official and unoficial ca
pacity I shall always be deeply in
terested in the administration Of re-
lief and, of course, gladly assist when.
ever may be of service. I recon-
mend the transfer of the administra.
ton of relief to the Board of Public
Welfare in the District of Columbia,
firmly convinced that this organiza-
tion will do its duty for the best In.
terests of all concerned"
The change probably will mean an
enlargement of the Board Of Public
Welfare's public assistance division.
Under this organization much of the
present case work has been done.
Agencies for receiving applications for
relief also have been maintained, and
disbursement Of relief checks have
been handled through these strste.
gically located stations.