Evening star., 1937-05-04

Y - + d NV I'd.
Star Staff Photo.
81 900, 100000 instead OF 81 800, 900 900
requested in the estimate submitted
to the Congress. II to you 81, 100000
600 seems small amount, it Is only
because the expenditures in recent
years have caused us to lose our per-
spective. 1t has not been 80 many
years since $1,000 100000 would have
covered all expenditures OF the Fed
eral Government. Next year 1t would
be one-sevnth.
But this 000,0OO,000 would not
be the only money granted to the
States for relief. Next year the Fed
eral Government will give to the
States through the Social Security
Board, for old age pensions, dependent
children and the blind, $214,000,000
In addition TO that We will give to
the States s36,00O,00O to administer
the unemployment compensation law
Additional amounts will be appropri-
ated to the States for relief through
the Public Health Service and the
Department Of Labor, and many more
millions contributed to the States
through the various fifty-f1fty laws,
for highway construction, vocational
education and other purposes. Not
withstanding these generous appro-
priations. those who oppose any re-
duction In the expenditures of the
Federal Government meet the argu-
ment for reduced relief appropria-
ton with the statement that I'VE must
not permit people to 60 hungry" No
one wants any human being In this
country TO 60 hungry. I am unwilling
to admit that with the great improve
ment in business, and the great i'm
provement in the financial condition
OF local governments, that our people
will go hungry unless the Federal
Government continues to make for
work relief the tremendous appropri-
ations such as were made during the
depression.
II this year, when business condi-
tions approach the greatest boom year
In our history-1929-th Federal
Government must, in addition to the
other grants to the States, appro-
pirate s1,500, 100000 for work relief,
how much will it be necessary to
appropriate should there be a recess
sion in business? And what will we
then use for money?
Work Relief Appropriations.
Prior to 1882 the Federal Govern
ment did not appropriate any money
for relief or work relief. Relief was
organized as duty of the States,
counties and cities The Federal Gov
ernment entered this field because the
revenue of the local governments had
decreased and they. were unable to
borrow the money with which to care
for their own. The first bill provided
that before the Federal Government
granted aid to q State its Governor
must certify that the State and its
subdivisions did not possess the reve-
nue. or the credit with which to Sc
cure funds to take care of its needy.
Governors filed such certificates. They
certified to the truth. Then the Fed
eral Government borrowed money and
made loans and grants to help the
States. Loans made to home owners
and farm owners included amounts
to pay back taxes to States, counties
and cities. We gave millions to build
roads, schools and all kinds OF prof.
ects normally and properly paid for
by the local governments. AS re-
suit local governments as rule are
operating within their incomes. They
have reduced their debts and increased
their credit.
We have declared unemployment to
be a national problem, but we have
declared that work should be pro-
vided for the unemployed in co-opera-
ton with the States and local gov
ernments. 1 believe the States and
local governments are just as much
interested in the welfare of their citi-
zens as is the Federal Government
Believing this, urge that the appro-
priation for work relief should pro-
vide that the State. county or city
0oAAA6 1Vl CNN1 al dAO 4OA WOl Nc
progress project should pay so per
cent OF the cost Of the project, unless
the ofdcials Of such State, county OF
city certify that they cannot pay II
and cannot borrow the money. In
that case the administration should
require only such contribution as the
financially impaired State, county o,
city could make. Should the Congress
adopt this proposal the entire billion
dollars will never be applied for. The
budget will be balanced. The credit
Of the Government will be maintained
Most OF the projects are proposed
by cities and counties. They are otter
proposed, not because the local Off.
cials believe that 1t Is essential to pro.
vide relief work for the unemployed
but because they believe that as lone
as other counties and cities are get.
ting money from the Federal Govern.
ment, they might as well get theil
share. If the mayor Of q city doe!
not ask for funds to construct an air
port, his constituents will remind hin
that rival city is securing one witt
the assistance of the Federal Gov
ernment and insist that he get one
An ambitious mayor will seek fund!
to do some public work as a monu
ment to his administration. O.
course, he knows that 1t will not hur
his chances for reelection. Wher
the mayor Of a city seeks funds Il
construct sewer systems. recreation
parks, sidewalks and streets, ant
county onicials ask for funds to built
schools and hospitals. they do so be
cause those things are desirable ant
because they can be secured sithou
increasing the taxes Of the cities ane
counties. Nobody blames them. Blu
II We continue this policy and sud