Evening star., 1937-11-17
MAYORS APPEAL
FOR JOBLESS AID.
Warn Against Making Po|it.
icaI Capital OF Unem-
pIoyment Issue.
BY ]. A. FOX.

BY J. A. FOX.
The United States Conference of
Mayors today warned against MAX
ing political capital OF the unemploy-
n1ent issue.
In an unusual declaration, proposed
by the conference president, Mayor
Fiorella H. La Guardia of New York,
the Mayors representing cities all over
the country recited the gravity of the
problem involved and added:
I'VE warn the Nation that this is
too serious a problem to be used rs
a political huldgeon for any person
or party, but cries out to every red
hlooded American for solution"
The declaration, which is to be
broadcast nationally, concluded with
an appeal for universal cooperation.
Asks Mayors to Sign.
President La Guardla asked that
each of the mayors sign the declara-
tion, which was adopted as the con-
the Mayflower Hotel by voting ap-
proval of a series of resolutions and
re-electing President La Guardia and
other officers.
In considering the twin problem of
relief, the conference directed its Ex-
ecutive Committee to conduct a survey
Of conditions in December and repor.
its findings, together with specific
recommendations, to Congress in jan
uary.
The city executives repeated their
freeuently-eXpressed belief that If the
relief load continues to increase, the
Works Progress Administration will
have to increase its employment quota
in the affected areas and that it will
be necessary to get deficiency appro-
prietion to finance this. Congress al
ready has appropriated 1900 900, 900
for relief for the fiscal year ending
June 80 next and w. P A, Administra-
tor Harry L. Hopkins has expressed
belief this will be sufficient
The mayors also did the expected
and called on the American Federation
of Labor and the Committee for Indus
trial Organization to compose their
differences. The contesting labor fac
tions are to be advised that 1t is of
the greatest public interest. including
the best interest of labor, industry and
the general public, that at the earliest
possible time" peace be re-established.
Ask Airport Aid.
Another resolution called for con-
tlnued Federal aid in the construction
of municipal sirports and the Execu-
tive Committee was instructed to de-
eide if the Mayors shall indorse pro-
posed legislation to transfer juriS-
dietlon over air carriers from the
Commerce and Post Once Depart
ments to the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
Arguing for support of this legisla-
ton, Mr.. La Guardia declared that
aviation was being made "a political
football" under the present method
OF control and that it was necessary
fer its progress that regulation be
shifted to the I. c. c.. which, he en-
phasized, had demonstrated its non-
political character.
The conference, which earlier in the
day had heard the new slum clearing
and low cost housing program outlined
by Nathan Straus, administrator for
the United States Housing Authority
voted its approval Of this and urged
that the law be broadened to make
possible rehabilitation OF sub-standard
homes and blighted areas.
Early Misgivings Cited.
When the Wagner -Steasall bill, as
finally enacted, became law, there were
many notes of misgiving, even among
friends Of housing" Mr.. Straus said.
I'VE were told that the law was i'm
practical and unworkable We were
told that 1t had been so amended as
to be useless, or, at most, very weak
instrument OF decent, loW-cost hous-
ting. Those prophets of evil were
rightly condemned as unworthy Of
much attention.
However, I feel today that We are
In danger of falling into an error al
most equally great. There Is a sense
OF complacency 1 find among the
'housers, so many of whom are also
ofneisb OF wide-awake city govern
ments. This is almost as dangerous to
the housing program as counsels of
despair.
On the one hand, the law is not
unworkable, in my belief. On the
other hand, We must admit that 1t
has not yet worked Until it does,
let us apply ourselves earnestly to
the task Of making it work. To build
100, 900 or more minimum-cost homes
within the meaning and intent of
this law in a period of three years
Is at best not a simple or an easy task"
In advancing their Federal-aid needs
Tor unemployment, the mayors were
bolstered by vigorous declaration by
Mr., Hopkins in favor of the continu-
snce OF the works projects program,
which he coupled with an assault on
its critics.
Il am convinced that public opinion
Is with us in terms of providing work
for unemployed people in America who
cannot find work in industry" Mr..
Hopkins told the mayors late yesterday.
I am convinced of that. am
convinced that We have far more
public opinion behind this than the
ao-called organs Of public opinion
woulC lead us to believe"