Evening star., 1937-02-12
STAFF OF W.P.A.
FACES NEW CUT
Hopkins Says 1000 More to
Be Dropped by
June 80.

Dismissal of at east 1000 more ad-
ministrative employees Of the w. p. A.
is necessary, Administrator Harry L.
Hopkins said yesterday before his de-
parture for Chicago, to reduce the rolls
to approximately $4,000 by June 80
next.
Due to the necessity Of reducing ad-
ministrative expenses, he pointed out
that "dismissas occurring weekly
have brought about q reduction of
nearly 5000 employees in tn field and
in Washington in year.
February 20 last the total admins
trative force was 38,440, including
2,225 employed at Washington head
quarters. The last available figures,
December 81. showed q count Of 1911
in Washington and 1920 in the field,
or 32,831 for both.
Since December there has been q
continuous though gradual reduction
In the local and field STATS.
The S7S9.o0O,0o0 deficiency bill for
relief, Hopkins indicated. Is none too
much to pay relief expenses through
the remainder Of the present fiscal
year. He admitted, however, that the
expenses Of food relief borne by w.
P A. would scarcely be reflected in the
administrative rolls.
Administrative costs are already
too low" Hopkins said. such cuts, he
explained. always affect efficiency.
Objectives Discussed.
Fitting the unemployed for jobs in
private industry, Hopkins said also,
has been one Of three principles Of the
Federal work relief program.
I'VE had to give the jobless the
kind of work which would preserve,
restore or increase their working abil-
ity and thus make them better COM
petitors for private jobs" he said,
making public l10-page summary of
information on which officials based
the program.
The other two obiectives Of the
Works Progress Administration, Hop
kins said. were Ito give people work"
and Ito give each community the sort
Of public improvements and services
which its officials wanted"
The summary showed {, 6,402, 900 per-
sons were eligible for w. P. A. Jobs at
the start Of 1886, when it was pre-
pared.
Hopkins said 1t was being made pub
lie now to show how operations had
been guided by facts developed in the
Social Research Division.
This total, he said, does not mean
the w. P. A. could have employed all
6,402 900. even If appropriations were
sufficient, because Of rules which for
bid hiring more than one worker in
any family.
More than one-third OF the total
were women, and nearly four-fifths
OF the male workers were heads Of
families. They represented l60 oc-
cupational classifications.
Stresses Task Involved.
Hopkins pointed to the total Of more
than $4,000 totally inexperienced
eligibles as illustrative of the task in
volved In providing useful projects.
Over half Of that group were boys and
girls seeking jobs for the first time.
OF the 100000 over IS, many were
housewives with family responsible
ties who were trying. Hopkins said, to
get jobs in an attempt to keep their
families together.
There were $4,000 persons expert
enced only in domestic and personal
service work. and 10000 retail store
sales clerks. There were 100000
office workers, 100000 unskilled Ia
borers and 435 900 farm laborers.
In the UNUSUAL" classification, rs
women listed themselves as delivery
men" and 289 men were termed
'lsundresses."
There also were four female auto
mechanics, "a feminine truck and
tractor drivers and 80 female boot
blacks. Under the heading of dress
makers and milliners were 474 men.