Evening star., 1937-05-29
some weeks ago,

mlneQ Dy inc
President, either by the President di-
rectly or by his relief administrator,
Mr.. Harry Hopkins.
In Congress the Presidents request
gave rise to some opposition. Several
groups of members said that Congress
itself should allocate the 81 100000
900, in part at least. One group con-
tended that s55,000,00o should be used
for food and drought control. An
other group contended $150,O00,000
should be ear-marked for roads and
grade crossing elimination. Another
group contended that 100000, 900
should be allocated for yet other spe-
ciflc purposes.
The groups demanding that Con-
gress "ear-mark" part Of the $780,
100000 compose, probably, a majority
Of the House. They were well on their
way to success on Thursday when the
Democratic leader, Mr.. Rayburn OF
Texas, asked that the House adjourn
until Tuesday. To persuade the House
to agree to this, Mr.. Rayburn assured
the House that Il believe that within
few hours we can get together with
the man [Mr. ROOSEVELT who must
administer this law and adjust
this whole matter - Everything
humanity possible to bring about an
adjustment fair to every man. to every
section and to every project will be
done by me"
Thus the controversy stands. If the
issue were simple one between hav-
Ing Congress allocate much of the
fund or letting Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr..
Hopkins allocate 1t all, much might be
said for the Presidents position. From
the point OF view Of economy alone.
probably greater economy would be
achieved by having the President con-
troll the fund. At least this would be
true at present, because for some
weeks the President has seemed to
have his mind on economy.
PORK Barrel Method.
IT Congress were to allocate wholly
the funds for relief, the method prac-
ticed IN Congress would almost surely
be the pork barrel" method. Con-
gressmen from one State, wishing an
appropriation for flood control in that
State, would enter into bargains with
Congressman from second State
having the same wish. And so with
road projects. The sum OF this Ma
tion-wide log-rolling would be very
large. In 1888, when Mr.. Garner, now
Vice President, was Speaker of the
House, the Democrats under his lead
ership-then being a majority, and
having little consideration for the Re-
publican, Mr.. Hoover, who was then
President-wrote pork barrel appro-
priation for relief which, as I recall.
contained an appropriation for almost
literally every congressional district in
the country.
Also. 1t is fair to say, in the present
situation, that If Mr. Roosevelt and
Mr.. Hopkins are permitted to allocate
the fund, more OF it would go directly
into wages. Mr. Roosevelt and Mr..
Hopkins can choose. among all DOS
slole projects, those which pay out the
largest proportion In wages and q
smaller proportion for materials. In
the ALLEGATION proposed in the House,
for Hood control and roads, a large
proportion Of the funds go to pay for
materials. a comparatively small pro-
portion for wages.
In all this I seem to be saying that
the President ought to win the present
controversy with the House, that It Is
better the $500, 900, 900 be allocated
wholly by Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Hop
klns. Normally, that would be true.
II Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr.. Hopkins were
acting merely and wholly as admins
traitors OF fund, if they had no pur-
pose or motive except to direct the
money to where 1t is most needed and
can be most fruitfully expended-in
that event 1t would be better that thew
Should have full control of the fund.
But the actual condition is not nor
mai. There is involved an issue larger
than emciency or economy. There Is
a widespread feeling that Mr.. Roose-
velt and his subordinates use the re-
lel funds so as to influence politics
and important national policies.
Would Change Government,
President Roosevelt Is engaged in
an attempt to change the form of
government Of the United States.
The attempt expresses itself currently
| Air Headliners