Evening star., 1937-09-08
VALUE Of RELIEF
PROBE LAUNCHED
Counsel of Senate Group
Requests Agencies to
Submit Data.
sv the Associated Press.

Committee experts began gather
ing data TODAY for an extensive SEN
ste investigation Of the worth of the
emergency agencies engaged in sd-
ministering Federal relief
Alan Johnstone, counsel for the
Special Senate Committee to Inves-
tieate Unemployment and Relief.
asked the agencies TO supplv him with
comprehensive informs tion on their
activities.
These agencies include the Works
Progress Administrator. the Puohc
Works Administration, Civilian Con-
servation Corps and the Resettlement
Administration. The laater nov oefunct
Johnstone saio the dat would b.
used 10 prepare an agenda of work.
which he will recommend 10 the
committee when it convenes here.
probably early In October. Public
hearings, he aoded, may start in No
vember.
TO "Evaiu Work
Al these hearings, Johsntone sa id.
the committee will attempt 10 "evalli-
ate the work of the various aQen-
cies. in order 10 recon mend 10 Con-
gress permanent relief policy. Pri-
vste employers, State and Federal
officials and others concerned will b-
consulted, the committee counsel said
Appointment OF the COMMITTEES
headed by Senator Bvrnes, Democrat
Of South Carolina. grew out of an
unsuccessful attempt by Bvrnes and
other Senators 10 slash the admin
isrrs tions 81 500 900 900 relief budget
by one-third. Both opponents and
proponents OF the cut saio Insufficient
data we're available on the extent
and nature OF unemployment and the
need for Federal assistance.
tombstone said he believed the COM
miltee would seek inforrna tpon 10
enable II TO recommend 10 Congress
whether snv of the existing relief
agencies ought 10 be retained on a
perma nent basis. or whether all ought
TO be replaced bv a new type of
agency. and what form OF relief ought
To be provided as q long time PROPOSE
ton.
Suggests Points Of Study.
He suggested these points as among
the subjects which he will recommend
for committee study and hearings:
!. The extent of unemployment as
II may be revealed by the registra ton
ordered during the last session of
Congress.
:. The number Of persons receiving
benefits OF all kinds from the Fedora
Government or the States on ac-
count of unemployment, old age oi
physical incapacity.
5. Need for cationsl "retra ming
ano education of persons who have
been long on the relief rolls.
4. The economic value OF work prof.
ects which have been completed.
>. Rural relief problems and the re
lation OF unemployment to the perma
nent farm program
& The financial ability of States
sno cities 10 share the relief burden.
Z Z. The part labor wing machinery
and methods have PLAYED in causing
unemployment
Johnstone said the committee would
not attempt to investigate the internal
operation OF the various agencies. hni
would concern itself with "estimatin
the value of their policies"
He said the committee oroba pl,
would make its first recommends tion'
10 Congress by next March.
tombstone, an attorney. was State
director of emergency relief work ir
South Carolina for eight months il
1923. He subsequently served as fielr
representative for Federal Emerpenc,
Relief Administration and Civil Work.
Administration in the Somtheaster
States and lster as neld representa- tiv,
81 large for W. P A.