The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1937-02-18
Relief Problem

MI from whom the bulk of the tax money
A'A collected in this county comes, will
agree that 1886 was something like nor
NAL year. We have seen better, more wildly
prosperous ones which we may have thought
were normal" but our recollections are
clear of far less prosperous series of five
or six from which we draw the conclusion
that 1886 approXimates a fair average.
1t is alarming in view of this fact to
realize that various forms of charity, includ-
ing mothers pensions, care of feeble-minded,
gency relief, poor aid and old age pensions
and administration of these matters took
total of some $107, 900 in county warrants.
That some part of this was supplied by
the federal government and some more by
the state means little to the taxpayer who
is caught for all of it somewhere along the
line. He also pays for the WPA work and
the PWA and the NYA and the CCC and
any other governmental agencies which aim
to keep families off the direct relief dole.
Back in 1882 before these government
agencies were in the picture, when the
county was running wood chopping lot and
caring for it's own needy, when business and
farming were scratching the utter bottom
of economic depression, the county spent
,319 for poor relief in one form or an
other. In those days the county report con-
tanned an item temporary" relief which was
less than half what goes for "emergency"
relief today. 1t is interesting that we have
changed the name.
What is true in Redwood county is true
in most counties of the state, in many cases
to greater degree. 1t is problem which
gives county officials sleepless nights and is
causing no little worry to state and national
Offcialdom, pressed on one hand for bigger
hon re md fhn 9TH fny.
which means getting rid of the relief load.
TO all appearances it is by-product of
altruistic liberalism when times were really
hard, fostered by the federal and state gov
eminent which assumed relief burdens when
the counties were hard pressed for cash and
a great many needy, worthy people were
well nigh hungry.
In those days relief clients were almost
solicited, if not actually so in some cases.
Persons who proudly boosted they had man.
aged somehow and would continue to get
along saw others less needy getting govern
mental succor. They came in, hesitating at
first, then learned the spirit of things, 'get
all you can" Some communities likewise
felt proudly, 1--WE can care for our own needy
neighbors," then decided pride wasn't worth
the price. Someone is going to get this
money, why not us" and the cry for help
and more help went up.
Today the federal government, trying
to get out of the relief business, hears the
wall of governors, mayors, and other Off
Gals who somewhat correctly claim, you
got us into this!" Our own state legislature
considers it's governors proposal for the big
gest relief appropriation in it's history,
ponders also liberalizing old age pensions on
which $4,000 was spent in Redwood county
last year.
With this situation in comparative good
times, what will happen if the economic
worm reverses it's course? Will the problem
be solved even if a boom comes? It is our
problem as taxpayers, lest we too be forced
to swallow what pride remains and join up.